Why Waheeda Rehman refused to change her name despite pressure from Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla.

Waheeda Rehman is one of the most respected and loved actresses in Indian cinema. But did you know that when she first entered Bollywood, she was asked to change her name? In a recent interview, the legendary actress shared how famous filmmakers Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla wanted her to adopt a new screen name, claiming her real name wasn’t “sexy” enough. However, Waheeda stood firm and refused to give in, even though she was a newcomer at the time.

Waheeda Rehman made her Hindi film debut with the 1956 movie CID, which was directed by Raj Khosla and starred Dev Anand. It was Guru Dutt, one of the most influential filmmakers of that era, who introduced her to Hindi cinema. She later worked in several iconic films with him, including Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. These movies are still remembered as classics in Indian film history.

Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, Waheeda shared her early experiences in the industry. In a conversation with authors Nasreen Munni Kabir and Arshia Sattar, she revealed that both Raj Khosla and Guru Dutt advised her to change her name to something more appealing for the big screen. They told her that many successful actors had done the same. For example, Dilip Kumar was originally named Yusuf Khan, Madhubala was born as Mumtaz Jehan, and Meena Kumari’s real name was Mahjabeen Bano.

Waheeda, however, was not convinced. She said, “I was a very stubborn girl when I started out. I knew what I wanted, and that surprised many people. They thought I would follow whatever they said, but I wanted to work on my own terms.”

She further explained, “They told me my name was not sexy enough for films. But I said no. My parents gave me this name, and I love it. I didn’t want to change it just to become popular.”

Her strong stand shocked both Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla. “They didn’t say anything to me for three days,” she recalled. “But in the end, they agreed to keep my original name.”

Waheeda Rehman’s decision turned out to be the right one. Over the years, she built a successful career without changing who she was. She became one of India’s most celebrated actresses and won many awards, including the National Film Award. She also received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for her contributions to Indian cinema.

On the work front, she was last seen in the film Skater Girl, which was released in 2021.

Waheeda Rehman’s story is an inspiring reminder that staying true to yourself can lead to long-term success. Her confidence and belief in her identity helped her become a timeless icon in Indian cinema.

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