Waheeda Rehman to be conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke award

Revered veteran actor Waheeda Rehman will be bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke lifetime achievement award, Union minister for information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur said.

Thakur took to X (formerly Twitter) to make the announcement.

“I feel an immense sense of happiness and honor in announcing that Waheeda Rehman ji is being bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award this year for her stellar contribution to Indian Cinema,” he wrote.

I feel an immense sense of happiness and honour in announcing that Waheeda Rehman ji is being bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award this year for her stellar contribution to Indian Cinema.

Waheeda ji has been critically acclaimed for her…

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) September 26, 2023

“At a time when the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 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 added, referring to the Women’s Reservation Bill that was recently introduced by the ruling BJP government in Parliament.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is presented annually by the government of India’s Directorate of Film Festivals, which operates under the ministry of information and broadcasting.

This award is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, who is often regarded as the “Father of Indian Cinema” for his pioneering contributions to the early Indian film industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X to congratulate Rehman.

“Delighted that Waheeda Rehman Ji has been honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award. Her journey in Indian cinema has left an indelible mark. A beacon of talent, dedication and grace, she embodies the best of our cinematic heritage. Congratulations to her,” he wrote.

Delighted that Waheeda Rehman Ji has been honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award. Her journey in Indian cinema has left an indelible mark. A beacon of talent, dedication and grace, she embodies the best of our cinematic heritage. Congratulations to her. https://t.co/uuqfXqIW7l

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 26, 2023

Earlier, Rehman received the Padma Shri in 1972, and the Padma Bhushan in 2011.

Rehman, now 87, embarked on her illustrious film career, which spanned over six decades, with her debut in the Telugu movie Rojulu Marayi in 1955.

However, it was her collaboration with renowned filmmaker Guru Dutt that propelled her to stardom and made her a staple in both arthouse and mainstream cinema.

Their tie-up resulted in a string of memorable cinematic classics, including the evocative and socially relevant Pyaasa (1957), the poignant Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), the melodious and romantic Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), and the emotionally charged drama Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).

These films not only showcased Waheeda Rehman’s exceptional acting prowess but also solidified her status as one of Indian cinema’s most iconic and versatile actresses of her time.

Rehman has delivered performances that have deeply resonated with each generation, leaving a lasting impact on them. Young cinephiles have recently had the opportunity to experience the iconic film Guide (1965), in theaters, featuring Dev Anand and Rehman. Rehman also received the Filmfare award for Best Actress for this feature.

The film, produced by Dev Anand, stands as a significant milestone in Indian cinema, and is currently being screened in certain theaters across the country, on the occasion of the cinema legend’s 100th birthday.

As the award announcement coincided with the occasion, Rehman mentioned how this award is like a gift for her on Dev Anand’s birthday, as he was her first co-actor in a Hindi film.