NEWSMAKERS
‘Guide was a bold step’
RESHMA S KULKARNI
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Following a felicitation for her long contribution to cinema, yesteryear star Waheeda Rahman spoke about her films in general and “Guide” in particular.
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The statuesque beauty of yesteryear, Waheeda Rehman, who captivated a million hearts with her mesmerising performance in landmark films like “Pyaasa”, “Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam”, “Chaudhavi Ka Chaand” and “Khamoshi”, was recently felicitated for her three decades of contribution to cinema by the Taj Enlighten Film Society. The veteran’s felicitation was accompanied by a show of her favourite film, the path-breaking “Guide”. Waheedaji spoke about the film and her life in general :
First and foremost, why is “Guide” so dear to you?
There have been many films that brought me popular acclaim and creative satisfaction — “Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam”, “Pyaasa”, “Kaagaz Ke Phool”, “Khamoshi” or later “Mashaal”, “Kabhi Kabhi”… But “Guide” is a film, which apart from all this, also gave me a chance to push the boundaries, a difficult task in those times but one that I strove for all through.
Please continue.
From the time it was announced, the film was predicted to be doomed, not so much for the makers who were lauded for taking a bold step, but for me. I remember being told by a prominent insider that I’d have to pack my bags and leave! At that time, a heroine was supposed to be pure. There was no scope for any “impure feelings or desires”. That was left only to the vamp. But I saw a chance of breaking free, through “Guide”. After all, real women have every kind of feelings don’t they? “Guide” offered me a chance to play, through Rosie, a woman who’s more real than fantastic; that’s what makes the film so special.
Any memorable incidents associated with “Guide”?
Oh so many! But to narrow down to one, I’d love to cite this incident: I couldn’t attend the premiere but was extremely anxious to hear the industry verdict. So, I called Dev (Anand). He, characteristically, began with a mock-complaint. ‘I think I should change the title of the film! ‘It’s called ‘Guide’, I play the title role and it’s essentially the story of this guide, but all I could hear on the way out was Rosie and Waheeda Rehman! Let’s change the title to Rosie!’
You were a great dancer; yet not many of your films showcase this talent. Why?
Ask me another! It was my constant request to all the directors I worked with — R.C. Talwar, Sultan Ahmad, Raj Khosla, Vijay Anand… to give more scope to my dancing skills. Hence, my elation when I was given a professional dancer’s role in “Guide” and the simultaneous frustration with Tad’s refrain of not having dance sequences (since he felt it unnecessary and wasteful) till Vijay Anand took over. I remember telling Dev, ‘cut my dialogues and scenes if you must but don’t cut any of the dances’! But I got a variety of dances to do in ‘Guide’: a folk number, kathak, or a snake dance, which was hugely appreciated.
In such a long career, which people or what events have created a profound impact on your professional and personal life?
To name one would be to ignore the contribution of the others. I have been extremely lucky to work with the best directors and filmmakers including the legendary Satyajit Ray; all the films and co-stars I have worked with have left me enriched in more ways than one.
Save for a decade-long hiatus after Yash Chopra’s “Lamhe” in 1991, you still continue to work in films. How do you manage it?
Purely a passion for cinema. Due to some personal reasons I had to take this break. When I came back, there was a slew of dynamic new directors who had such great ideas up their sleeves that I couldn’t resist taking up all the films that I did — “15 Park Avenue”, “Rang De Basanti” or now “Dilli 6”. I have been lucky to work with a host of talent in the past and even now.
Any regrets?
While I did have a very fortunate life, I regret having stopped dance performances on stage too early.
How do you maintain this radiant beauty?
I don’t have any regimen if that’s what you are asking (laughs), except for meditation. But I follow a simple philosophy of staying happy whatever the circumstances. Though I am an ambitious person, I have always believed in fulfilling my ambitions with simplicity. And yes, I laugh a lot!
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