Waheeda Rehman turns 87, feels fortunate; Says, ‘I achieved success without real struggle’- Exclusive | Hindi Movie News

Waheeda Rehman As timeless diva Waheeda Rehman turned 87 on February 3, Indian cinema celebrated a woman whose grace, talent, and quiet strength redefined what it meant to be a leading lady. From her unforgettable performances in classics like ‘Pyaasa,’ ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool,’ and ‘Guide’ to her seamless blend of emotional depth and lyrical movement, she carved a niche for herself that remains untouched even decades later. A trained dancer who entered films almost by chance, Waheeda Rehman went on to become one of the most respected and loved artists in Indian cinema. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, the veteran actress shared her insights about her decades-old career and the love that continues to surround her.Waheedaji, your aura doesn’t seem to dim with age. What is the secret?(Laughs) Arre, ab bas bhi kijiye (now stop it). All this praise may go to my head and I may become swollen-headed. But seriously, there is no secret aura , it’s just the love of the people. Mujhe pata nahin kyun log abhi bhi pyaar karte hain (I don’t know why people still love me).

It’s been a long and very satisfying journey for you?Do you know, I started my career with a Telugu film, ‘Rojulu Marayi’, in 1955? I was only 17 then. I knew nothing about acting. But I was a keen dancer even before I became an actor, and I think that skill helped me immensely in my performances. Do you know, I actually wanted to be a doctor?Medicine’s loss, cinema’s gain?If you want to put it that way. Lekin main aapko sachchi baat bataoon (shall I tell you the truth?) I didn’t have to go through any real struggle. When I see today’s generation of girls and boys, so skilled, so prepared, I feel grateful for the success I achieved so easily.Which among your films do you consider milestones?‘Pyaasa’, ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’, and of course ‘Guide’, which has become the ‘Mother India’ of my career. As you know, other actresses were considered for ‘Guide’. I almost didn’t do the film.Can you elaborate?You can be as shocked as you like, but it’s true — I almost didn’t do ‘Guide’. Hua yun ke, shuruaat mein director Raj Khosla the (initially, the director was Raj Khosla). Raj Khosla and I had a difference of opinion during an earlier film, and I never worked with him after that. I wasn’t willing to change that for ‘Guide’ or any other film.You know how persuasive Dev was. He called me and said, “Come on, Waheeda. Let bygones be bygones. Everyone makes mistakes.” But I refused to budge. I asked Dev why his brother Goldie (Vijay Anand) wasn’t directing ‘Guide’. But Goldie was busy with ‘Tere Ghar Ke Samne’.Then what happened?Eventually, Raj Khosla was replaced by Chetan Anand and Chetan didn’t want me! (Laughs) Yeh toh achcha hua. One director I didn’t want, and the other director didn’t want me. I think Chetan Saab wanted Priya Rajvanshji. But Dev was adamant. They needed a dancer, and Priyaji couldn’t dance. Eventually, Goldie directed ‘Guide’. That’s how I got the film. The rest, you know. It’s a film I’m very proud of.You did seven films with Dev Anand?So you can imagine our comfort level. In fact, my very first Hindi film, ‘C.I.D.’, was with Dev Anand. I was a big fan of Dev Anand and Madhubala, so you can imagine my excitement and nervousness.On the very first day on set, when I called him ‘Dev saab’, he turned around and said, “No, no — call me Dev.” I couldn’t bring myself to call him by his first name; that wasn’t my upbringing. So I suggested I call him ‘Anandji’. He glared at me and said, “Do I look like a schoolteacher to you?”The next day, when I again called him ‘Dev saab’, he looked around as if he didn’t know whom I was addressing. I finally had to call him ‘Dev’, and ‘Dev’ he remained till the end.