The latest recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award has lit social media afire with pictures and mentions of the one and only Rosie, Gulabo, Jameela, Shanti, Radha, Chameli Bai, Reshma and Jaba, who rules our collective cinematic memories ever since she appeared briefly in a Telugu film in 1959. Waheeda Rehman’s personal journey from Hyderabad to Bombay deserves a movie or two by itself.
However, one has to admit that this award is a first step towards redemption of the awards that have served only to test our annual ability to quell the tide of bilious feelings that threaten to rise and overwhelm one's senses. For what was once a celebration of cinema has over the years declined quietly into a forum for favours from the powerful, granted and requested. That Waheeda Rehman’s name has been announced — albeit so late in the day — makes me dive into my vinyl collection.
But first, a look at her very first appearance on the silver screen. It’s 1955 and a film about collective farming that thwarts the evil zamindar’s plans celebrates 25 straight weeks at the box office. The film, Rojulu Marayi, shines light on the plight of the farmers, and offers hope to our young nation. The theme of the film is so relevant, that it has just received a remake. Not to underestimate Sowcar Janaki (she plays Radha, the daughter of a retired soldier banished from the village in the film) and Akkineni Nageswara Rao (he plays Venu, the upright farmer who inspires other farmers), but the girl whose eyes shine brighter than anything else in that village is of little miss Rehman’s, all of 17 years old.
Then came cameos in Jayasimha (1955) starring NT Rama Rao and Alibabhavum Narpathu Thirudargalum (1956) starring MG Ramachandran. She had worked with the three triumvirate of Telugu cinema before ferrying to Bombay. Her Hindi film debut was in the Dev Anand-starrer CID (1956), and life came a full circle as the news of her receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award was announced on Dev Anand's birth centenary this year on September 26.
And while we see Rehman’s widow-healer Zubeida sing in The Song of Scorpions (2017), starring Irrfan and Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, it was Satyajit Ray who achieved the rare feat of making Rehman’s village widow Gulaabi sing, Piya nahi aaye, for real in his Bengali film Abhijaan (1962), starring Soumitra Chatterjee.
Jameela is Chaudhvin Ka Chand
From that uncredited first appearance, to Shakeel Badayuni writing a song that could not be filmed on anyone else. Madhubala was limpid gorgeousness and Nutan they say had no wrong angle from which to photograph or film her. But who else could be asleep and then be woken up by a song? You barely notice the famous furrowed forehead of Guru Dutt, his crumpled sherwani. You stare unashamedly at the beauty of the girl on the screen, and get lost in this unforgettable ode to her beauty in Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960). Watch it in the original black and white video on YouTube, though most videos of the songs have the restored in colour version.
Rajeshwari is Mrs De Winters in Kohra
Kohra was a sad attempt to remake Alfred Hitchcock’s take on Rebecca. But Waheeda Rehman’s sad, scared eyes will haunt you more than Biswajeet’s ‘talwar’ moustache and his glossy lips and the kiss curl. Lalita Pawar made a very ominous Dai Maa (Mrs Danvers in Rebecca). The duo Tarun Bose and Madan Puri offer us an interesting perspective.
The seductress Hirabai in Teesri Kasam
Raj Kapoor plays Hiraman, the simple bullock cart guy who ferries people to and fro. He falls in love with a female passenger who turns out to play not only with his heart but dances into the hearts of everyone. But she’s a travelling courtesan, and Hiraman knows better than to trust his heart.
Shakespeare wrote the love story of Reshma Aur Shera
The famous feud between the House of Capulets and the Montagues comes to Rajasthan where Sagat Singh and Chaudhary hate one another’s guts. Sagat Singh orders his mute sharpshooter son Chhotu (brilliantly played by Amitabh Bachchan who is so evil you will want to step into the story to slap him) to kill Chaudhary and his newly married son Gopal. Unbeknownst to the two tribes, Sagat Singh’s older son Shera is in love with Chaudhary’s daughter Reshma.
Chameli redeems Daku Jarnail Singh in Mujhe Jeene Do
Chambal river valley was once rife with dacoits, and while today’s audience have seen the humanist angle in Irrfan Khan’s Paan Singh Tomar (2012), there have been beautiful stories about love and redemption. One such story about a hardened dacoit Thakur Jernail Singh (Sunil Dutt) whose heart is softened by love for a dancer called Chameli, was so beautifully made, it received critical as well as audience acclaim and the film was sent to Cannes as our contender for best foreign film. The beautiful song shows off cinematography as well as Waheeda Rehman’s dance skills.
Gulabo’s golden heart in Pyaasa
It’s a universal dilemma. Poetry is considered to be high art, an endeavour which is appreciated by people turned out in silks and silver. But the poet goes hungry. Vijay is one such poet, walking the cruel streets of Kolkata. One woman appreciates his art and gives him shelter. He is published, but remains eternally thirsty for love and for appreciation.
Is Radha the spirit haunting the swamps in Bees Saal Baad?
Based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, the film Bees Saal Baad had incredible songs and Waheeda Rehman and Biswajeet played lovers fighting a curse. His grandfather was a rapist killed by the spirit of the girl he had violated and the spirit had killed his father too. Everyone in the village asks him to leave and not get involved with a village belle. But destiny has other plans.
Can Alka bring Raghuvir out of Kala Bazar?
The inimitable Vijay Anand uses the real life footage of the premiere of Mother India (also note the announcement of ‘Ben Hur Coming Soon!’ in the film) in the film Kala Bazar where Dev Anand sells movie tickets in ‘black’. He meets and falls in love with Alka, but she knows his truth: he is a conman and his mother and sister pray for his redemption. Waheeda Rehman looks incandescent in the scene where she asks Raghuvir to change his ways at the temple steps.
Rimjhim ke tarane leke aayi barsaat is a delicious song about Bombay rains and, yes, how you should not dither to get into a cab else someone else will.
Raghuvir teases Alka in Kala Bazar
Raghuvir is a bus conductor who has lost his job and has now become a conman. He falls in love with Alka who is asleep in the train. This song is one of Shailendra’s best. And SD Burman uses the train whistle and the rhythm to perfection. Is this a song for love or devotion? Take your pick.
Neela is in a prison because of Baat Ek Raat Ki
Accused of murder, Neela is in prison. But the details of what happened that night are foggy. It takes a brilliant lawyer Rajeshwar to discover why anyone would want to kill anyone. And why is Neela haunted by the song on the gramophone?
There are two versions of the song: one by Hemant Kumar and the other by Suman Kalyanpur. Here are both the versions of this beautiful song:
Jaba falls in love in Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam
When the film was offered to Waheeda Rehman, she wanted to play Chhoti Bahu but was considered to be too young for the part. Eventually Meena Kumari played the role of Chhoti Bahu and made the film iconic with her implorations to prevent her zamindar husband from going to the courtesan (Na jaao saiyaan). Young Jaba knows the dilemma of falling for Bhootnath (Guru Dutt), who is Chhoti bahu’s confidante.
Rosie and Raju’s love story in Guide
Raju guide discovers innocence in Rosie’s dance and offers her shelter when she leaves Marco, her archaeologist husband. Rosie’s song of freedom written by Shailendra is the quintessential feminist anthem.
Waheeda Rehman’s talent for dance shines in Guide
Waheeda Rehman plays a woman who wants to express her talent on stage despite objections from her husband. She finds fame and fortune when Raju guide doesn’t just give shelter to her, but becomes her manager when he loses his business as a tourist guide.
As a young Muslim girl who wanted to learn Bharatanatyam, it took a horoscope (which the guru cast) to persuade the famous teacher Thiruchandrama Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai to teach her the dance form.
In the five decades that Waheeda Rehman has given to the silver screen, she has acted in more than 90 films. From the stunning heroine to incredible mother, she continues to win hearts with her performances. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is truly well-deserved.
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