Waheeda Rehman Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Profession: Indian Actress

Date of Birth: 3 February 1938 (Thursday)

Birthplace: Chingleput, Madras Presidency, British India

Age (as of 2025): 87 Years

Zodiac sign: Aquarius

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Chingleput, Chennai

Religion: Islam

Marriage Date: 27 April 1974

Age: 87 Years

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EDUCATION

School: St. Joseph’s Convent in Vishakapatnam

College: Not Known

Educational Qualification: Not Known

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters- 160 cm in meters- 1.60 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 3”

Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 55 kg in Pounds- 121 lbs

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: White

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Abdul Rehman (District Commissioner) Mother – Mumtaz Begum Brother – Not Known Sister(s) – Sayeeda Malik, Shahida, and Zahida

Marital Status: Widow

Affairs/Boyfriends: Guru Dutt , Indian Filmmaker & Actor

Husband/Spouse: Kamaljeet (born as Shashi Rekhi); Actor (1974–2000; until his death)

Children: Son – Sohail Rekhi Daughter – Kashvi Rekhi

Husband: Kamaljeet

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Debut: Telugu film – Jayasimha (1955) Tamil film – Kaalam Maari Pochu (1955) Hindi film – CID (1956)

Awards: Government of India Awards • Padma Bhushan (2001) • Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award (October 2023) National Film Awards • Best Actress for the film ‘Reshma Aur Shera’ (1971) Filmfare Awards • Best Actress for the film ‘Guide’ (1967) • Best Actress for the film ‘Neel Kamal’ (1968) • Lifetime Achievement Award (1994) Other Awards • NTR National Award (2006) • Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards for Best Actress (Hindi) for the film ‘Teesri Kasam’ (1967)

OTHER INFORMATION

Hobbies: Listening to music, Photography, Cooking

Favourite co-actor: Dev Anand

Favourite Continent: Africa

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Waheeda Rehman was born into a Dakhini Muslim family in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, where her early life was steeped in the rich cultural traditions of the region. Growing up in Chennai, she and her sister pursued their passion for dance, particularly the classical art of Bharatnatyam. Despite her artistic inclinations, Waheeda harbored ambitions of becoming a doctor. Sadly, her health challenges thwarted her dreams of entering the medical field, steering her towards the world of dance and, ultimately, cinema.

Her talent as a dancer became a pivotal factor that led her to the film industry, marking her entry with a small dancing role in the Telugu film ‘Rojulu Marayi.’ It was during the success celebration of this film that she caught the eye of the legendary Guru Dutt, who recognized her potential and decided to mentor her. He brought her to Mumbai, where she made her debut in his production ‘CID’ (1956), directed by Raj Khosla. Guru Dutt’s faith in her was evident as he signed Waheeda for three films without a formal audition, a testament to his belief in her capabilities as an actress.

Before her first contract in Bollywood was finalized, Waheeda was astute enough to insist on a clause that allowed her to reject any costumes she deemed unsuitable. This marked the beginning of her professional journey in an industry that often imposed rigid standards on its actresses. Waheeda considered Guru Dutt a guiding force in her life, and their collaboration laid the groundwork for a successful career. Her chemistry with co-actors, particularly Dev Anand, became legendary; during her first film with him, her shyness initially prevented her from addressing him by name. It took the encouragement of Dev, who playfully insisted that she call him “Dev,” for her to overcome her hesitation and engage fully in their on-screen romance.

Throughout her illustrious career, Waheeda Rehman showcased her versatility as an actress, effortlessly transitioning between genres and roles. She portrayed a wide spectrum of characters, from youthful heroines to the dignified portrayals of mothers and grandmothers. Notably, she played both the lover and mother to the iconic Amitabh Bachchan—first as his romantic interest in ‘Adalat’ (1976) and later as his mother in ‘Trishul’ (1978). Beyond the silver screen, Waheeda remains committed to social causes, serving as an ambassador for Rang De, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating poverty.

In her personal life, Waheeda retains her cultural roots, cherishing the tradition of cooking sevayya, a dish she lovingly prepares every Eid. This blend of professional achievement and personal passion paints a picture of a woman who has not only excelled in her career but also remains deeply connected to her heritage and community.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.