Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke award for her rich contribution to Indian cinema. The 85-year-old actress is one of the few women recipients of the award, the highest government recognition for those in the film industry.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur made the announcement, taking to X on September 26: “I feel an immense sense of happiness and honor in announcing that Waheeda Rehman ji is being bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award this year for her stellar contribution to Indian Cinema.” The award for 2021 will be presented at the 69th National Film awards ceremony.

News reports quoted Rehman as saying that the award was precious as it was announced on the 100th birth anniversary of Dev Anand. She was quoted as saying, “I’m doubly happy because it is Dev Anand’s birthday. I think ‘taufa unko milna tha, mujhe mil gaya’ (he should have received the gift I got),”

Waheeda Rehman debuted in the Telugu film, Rojulu Marayi, and entered the Hindi film industry in the 50s with Guru Dutt’s CID. An accomplished classical dancer, she became one of the most successful and prolific artists in the industry. Some of her notable works are Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Guide, Teesri Kasam, Khamoshi, and Reshma Aur Shera (National Award for Best Actress).

It is also one of the rarest occasions that female artists have received the award for two consecutive years. Last year, actress Asha Parekh was honored with the award for her contribution to cinema.

Women recipients of the Award so far:

Devika Rani

Ruby Myers

Kanan Devi

Durga Khote

Lata Mangeshkar

Asha Bhonsle

Asha Parekh

Waheeda Rehman