Mumbai, September 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman has recalled how her training in Bharatanatyam and a chance opportunity in Telugu cinema eventually paved the way for her remarkable journey in Indian films.
During her appearance with fellow yesteryear stars Asha Parekh and Helen on The Kapil Sharma Show in 2019, host Kapil Sharma asked Waheeda about how she entered the film industry.
Rehman said she was “extremely lucky” to have received opportunities because of her stage performances and photographs. She revealed that she had begun receiving film offers while she was still at home and was only 13 years old, although her parents initially refused because they felt she was too young.
“I was extremely lucky. I had learned Bharatanatyam and used to perform on stage. Back then, the shooting for all the regional films used to be done in Chennai. So, someone saw my photographs, and I started getting offers while sitting at home. I was only 13 at the time. However, my parents refused as they believed it was too soon,” she recalled.
She eventually appeared in a Telugu film in a folk-dance sequence, which became highly popular. This was followed by a lead role opposite legendary Telugu actor N. T. Rama Rao.
Her transition to Hindi cinema came after she met filmmaker Guru Dutt in Hyderabad. He subsequently invited her to Bombay, now Mumbai, setting the stage for a career that would make her one of the most celebrated actresses of Indian cinema.
Waheeda Rehman made her acting debut with the 1955 Telugu film Rojulu Marayi. A year later, she entered Hindi cinema with CID (1956), directed by Raj Khosla and produced by Guru Dutt.
Her association with Dutt led to several landmark films, including Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).
She went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films such as Guide (1965), Neel Kamal (1968) and Khamoshi (1969), further establishing herself as one of Hindi cinema’s leading actresses.
Rehman has also been honoured with the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011 for her contribution to Indian cinema.
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