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.
