'Guide' Grand Dame Waheeda Rehman Turns Year Older

One of the most prominent actresses of yesteryear, Waheeda Rehman initially wanted to be a doctor, but circumstances veered her towards the silver screen and the actress started her career as an actress in Telugu and Tamil films.

A chance encounter with Guru Dutt at the success party of one of the South flicks impressed the latter, who became her mentor and brought her to Mumbai to give her the role of a vamp in his film C.I.D. The film, starring Dev Anand, was a success and Rehman went on to act in other Guru Dutt movies like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam.

Rehman gave some of her major hits opposite Dev Anand in movies like Solva Saal, Kala Bazaar, Baat Ek Raat Ki and Guide, to name a few. Her other hits included Ram Aur Shyam opposite Dilip Kumar and Khamoshi opposite Rajesh Khanna.

From the mid seventies, Waheeda's career as lead heroine ended and her career as character actor began. In recent years, she was seen in films like in Om Jai Jagdish (2002), Water (2005), Rang De Basanti (2006) and Delhi-6 (2009). The actress was presented with the Padma Shri award in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011.

On the occasion of her birthday, here's wishing the Guide grand dame a healthy and long life…