Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman will be conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour, this year, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Anurag Thakur announced on Tuesday.
Rehman, 85, is a towering legend of Indian cinema known for iconic roles in films like Guide, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and numerous others. In a career spanning over six decades, she has been honoured with multiple prestigious awards including the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, India’s fourth and third highest civilian awards respectively. She is also a recipient of a National Film Award for Best Actress.
“Waheeda ji has been critically acclaimed for her roles in Hindi films, prominent among them, Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke Phool, Chaudhavi Ka Chand, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Guide, Khamoshi and several others. In her career spanning over 5 decades, she has essayed her roles with extreme finesse, leading to a National Film Award for her role as a clanswoman in the film Reshma and Shera. A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, Waheeda ji has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari who can achieve the highest level of professional excellence with her hardwork,” Thakur continued in his statement.
“At a time when the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023) has been passed by Parliament, her being awarded with this lifetime achievement award is a fitting tribute to one of the leading ladies of Indian Cinema and one who has dedicated her life after films to philanthropy and the greater good of society,” Thakur wrote.
The announcement coincides with the birth centenary of Dev Anand. Rehman and Anand were co-stars in films like Guide (1965) and C.I.D. (1956). The latter was also Rehman’s debut in Hindi cinema. She had previously acted in the Telugu films Rojulu Maraayi and Jayasimha, both released in 1955.
Veteran Asha Parekh was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2020.
