AP Govt announces 2006 NTR award to Waheeda Rehman

Hyderabad, Mar 31 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government today announced that the 2006 N T Rama Rao award would be given to the veteran Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman, who was was born in Hyderabad in 1936.

The award, carrying Rs five-lakh cash and a citation, would be presented to her at Nandi awards presentation ceremony being held in April in the city.

Ms Rehman, made her debut at the age of 13 in a Telegu film, Rojulu Marayi. After Pyasa in Hindi, Waheeda did Kagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvi Ka Chand, Sahib Biwi aur Ghulam and became a part of late legendary actor and renowned director Guru Dutt's creative team.

After 1962, Ms Rehman, started acting in ventures outside Guru Dutt banners. After Bees Saal Baad, a horror movie with the actor of yesteryear, Biswajit, she signed films opposite showman Raj Kapoor in 'Teesri Kasam' and with Dilip Kumar in 'Dil Diya Dard Liya' and 'Nagi Reddy's 'Ram Aur Shyam' a remake of N T Rama Rao's 'Ramudu Beemudu' in Telugu and M G Ramachandran's 'Enga Veetu Pillai' in Tamil.

Waheeda-Dev Anand pair became super hits in 'Kala Bazar, 'Guide', which won the filmfare award and 'Prem Pujari', among others. She has also acted with 'Rajendra Kumar' in 'Darti' who was affectionately called as 'Jubilee Kumar' in 1950s and 1960s, Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bacchan in 'Trishul', among others.

She was also a renowned dancer and her acting talent was noticed when no less a director of International fame, the late Satyajit Ray, chose her for his film, 'Abhijan' opposite veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who was a contemporary of late Uttam Kumar, the unforgettable romantic hero of 'Tollywood'.

The former Pakistan Cricket captain 'Imran Khan', named Waheeda as his favourite heroine during an interview given to a New Delhi-based Television channel last year.

UNI AP MIR HT2235