Cinema’s living legend Waheeda Rehman to be honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke award

Waheeda Rehman, 85, known for her luminous beauty and a range of illuminating characters she has played in a career of over 60 years, will be conferred with this year’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the Union government announced on Tuesday. “Waheedaji 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,” information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur posted on the social media platform X. Rehman, he added, “has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari who can achieve the highest level of professional excellence with her hard work. 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.” The actor with demure looks made her debut at 17 in the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi in 1955. Over the last three years she has become an avid wildlife photographer while the travel accounts of her and her girl gang that includes last year’s Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Asha Parekh and Helen is social media’s big “silver” inspiration.