Waheeda Rehman does wildlife photography at the age of 86: Became a heroine under compulsion, used to sign films on the condition of not wearing sleeveless

Famous veteran actress Waheeda Rehman turns 86 today. At this stage of her age, Waheeda is fulfilling her years old hobby of photography, while she also wants to do scuba diving at this age. Waheeda ji, who has received big honors like Padmashree, Padmabhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke, has been a part of Hindi cinema since the age of just 17. Waheeda, who once dreamed of becoming a doctor, came into films out of compulsion and became a part of many superhit films like CID, Pyaasa, Kagaz Ke Phool, Neelkamal, Chaudhavin Ka Chand, but on her own terms.

When people were ready to go to any extent to work with great filmmakers like Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, then 17 year old Waheeda made her fulfill her 3 conditions. The first condition was that she would never wear revealing or short clothes on screen, second that she would not change her name and third, her mother would always stay with her on the set.

His skill was such that his conditions were easily accepted, which were also advocated by many big stars like Dev Anand.

Today on the special occasion of her birthday, read the story of Waheeda Rehman's determination, talent and success-

Waheeda Rehman was born on 3 February 1938 in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu to District Commissioner Abdur Rehman and Mumtaz Begum. She was the youngest among four sisters.

Guruji had refused to teach Bharatnatyam because he was a Muslim.

Waheeda Rehman was interested in learning Bharatnatyam since childhood. When Waheeda insisted, her mother took her to Chennai. When she approached a Guruji in Chennai, the Guruji refused to teach her because she was a Muslim. When Waheeda remained adamant, Guruji asked her to bring the horoscope.

Guru ji had predicted after seeing the horoscope

Being a Muslim, Waheeda did not have a horoscope, so Guruji himself made her horoscope. As soon as Guruji saw his horoscope, he was surprised. He had said, You will be my last and best disciple.

Dream of becoming a doctor shattered after father's death, became heroine out of compulsion

After some time, Waheeda's father was transferred to Visakhapatnam, so she completed her studies from St. Joseph's Convent School there. During her school days, Waheeda had decided that she would become a doctor. For this she used to study hard, but after some time her dream was shattered. She was only 13 years old when her father died suddenly and her mother also started falling ill often.

After the death of his father, the financial condition of the house started deteriorating, in such a situation, he used his Bharatanatyam skills and started doing small roles in regional cinema. With the help of some acquaintances, she got the role of Chhota in a song in the 1955 Telugu film Rozulu Marayi, after which she appeared in some Telugu films.

Waheeda Rehman became a star as soon as Guru Dutt caught sight of her

Waheeda's first film Rozulu Marayi was premiered in Hyderabad, where renowned filmmaker Guru Dutt of the Hindi film industry was also present. As soon as Guru Dutt saw Waheeda's performance in the premiere, he was extremely impressed. During the meeting, he offered Waheeda to come to Mumbai. As soon as she reached Mumbai, she was given the lead role opposite Dev Anand in Guru Dutt's assistant Raj Khosla's film CID. Waheeda Rehman was a fan of Dev Anand since childhood.

Waheeda was adamant on 3 big conditions to enter Hindi films

In the early decades of Hindi cinema, the names of most of the actors were changed before appearing in films. Just like Yusuf Khan became Dilip Kumar and Mehjabeen became Meena Kumari. Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla wanted Waheeda Rehman's name to be changed for films. During a meeting, Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla told Waheeda Rehman- The name Waheeda is not sexy, if you want to work in a film then you will have to change your name.

In response, Waheeda Rehman said- This name has been given to me by my parents and I will identify with it.

After rift, Raj Khosla and Guru Dutt agreed on the condition of not changing Waheeda's name, but after this they put forward another condition.

The condition was that my mother would come to the set during the shooting. Raj Khosla had no objection to this, so he immediately agreed, but then Waheeda Rehman also put forward a third condition – I will finalize my costumes in films myself and will not wear short clothes or bikini on anyone's request.

Raj Khosla got irritated after hearing Waheeda's conditions one after another. He said to Guru Dutt, You have signed this girl or this girl has signed you.

Eventually the matter was resolved and Waheeda Rehman was cast in the film CID. Waheeda Rehman was a newcomer at that time, while Dev Anand was called a star. On the first day on the set, when Waheeda Rehman saw Dev Anand coming, she went near him and said very politely, Good morning Mr Anand.

On hearing this, Dev Anand interrupted him and said, Who is Mr Anand, just call me Dev. There is no need to be formal, it will make a difference in our chemistry.

Never wore sleeveless clothes not only in reels but also in real life.

Waheeda believed that her body was not suitable for revealing clothes. Leave aside films, Waheeda never wore sleeveless clothes even in real life. Waheeda's charm and talent were such that filmmakers used to agree to her condition. Waheeda was known for her simplicity, whereas at that time actresses tried to look modern.

Guru Dutt became crazy about simplicity while working together.

The credit for connecting Waheeda Rehman with Hindi films is given to Guru Dutt. Waheeda also considered him as her mentor. Waheeda Rehman and Guru Dutt came close on the sets of the film CID, although Guru Dutt was already married.

Waheeda Rehman gained recognition across the country with her very first film CID, after which Guru Dutt cast her in the film Pyaasa. Waheeda's hero in this film was going to be Dilip Kumar, but Guru Dutt was so fond of Waheeda's simplicity that he made himself the hero in place of Dilip Kumar. Guru Dutt himself used to write the scenes to be filmed on Waheeda Rehman. Waheeda Rehman established herself among the top actresses with her skills by playing the role of a prostitute in the film Pyaasa.

After Pyaasa, Waheeda appeared in superhit films like 12 O'clock, Kagaz Ke Phool and Chaudhavin Ka Chand with Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt was even ready to change his religion to marry Waheeda, but when the news of their closeness reached Guru Dutt's wife Geeta, she left the house with the children.

When his wife left him, Guru Dutt kept distance from Waheeda.

Due to fear of breaking the marriage, Guru Dutt completely stopped meeting Waheeda in 1963. Waheeda was not even allowed to go to Guru Dutt. However, despite this sacrifice, Guru Dutt's family did not return to him. After being separated from his family, he became an alcoholic. He died of an alcohol overdose in 1964 while living alone.

Waheeda was the best actress of the 60s

After separating from Guru Dutt's team, Waheeda worked in Satyajit Ray's film Abhijaan (1962) and gave back-to-back superhit films like Kohra, Beas Saal Baad. The 1960s were the peak of Waheeda's career. Waheeda had become the best actress giving hit after hit. She became one of the top highest paid actresses.

She was removed from the guide due to lack of English, makers bowed to Dev Anand's insistence

Seeing Waheeda Rehman's popularity, she was cast in the 1965 film Guide. Rosie was the character of a Christian girl. But when director Vijay Anand (Dev Anand's brother) found out that Waheeda did not know English, she was dropped from the film. After Waheeda was removed from the film, the film's lead hero Dev Anand was adamant that he would do the film only when Waheeda Rehman would play the role of Rosie. Ultimately his brother had to bow down to the insistence of a star like Dev Anand and Waheeda was given the lead role in the film Guide. For this film, Waheeda received the first Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career.

Distance from films made after marriage in 1974

Waheeda Rehman first met Shashi Rekhi during the shooting of the 1964 film Shagun. Shashi Rekhi was an actor, known by the name Kamaljeet. After being in a relationship for a few years, both of them got married in 1974. The couple has two children from this marriage, Sohail Rekhi and Kashvi Rekhi. Both the children of Waheeda Rehman are well-known writers. Right after marriage, Waheeda Rehman almost stopped working in films. After some time, when he wanted to return to films, he started being given side roles.

She received the Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the films Kabhi Kabhie, Lamhe, Chandni and Namkeen.

Decided to stay away from films in 1991

Waheeda Rehman retired from films after playing the role of Dai Jaan in Anil Kapoor and Sridevi starrer film Lamhe, released in 1991.

Sometimes she was going to make a comeback with happiness and sometimes with sadness, she left the film after her husband's death.

Years after the 1991 film Lamhe, Waheeda Rehman signed Karan Johar's film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Waheeda Rehman was going to play the role of Amitabh Bachchan's mother in this film. Many scenes of the film were shot on her, but she left the film after her husband's death in November 2000. After Waheeda, this role was given to Achala Sachdev.

After a few years, Waheeda Rehman made an acting comeback with the 2002 film Om Jai Jagdish. She further appeared in films like Rang De Basanti, Delhi 6. Her last release film is 2021's Skater Girl.

Still pursuing her hobbies at the age of 86

Waheeda was always fond of photography. To fulfill her hobby, Waheeda used to take the camera with her on the sets of her films, but could never focus on photography professionally, but now after staying away from films, Waheeda is fulfilling her same hobby. At the age of 80, Waheeda started wildlife photography. The actress often takes out time and spends time in the forests.