My mother had invited all her sisters and their families to Hyderabad to celebrate Id. The memorable three days of fun and festivities was however marred by an accident — one of my aunts – film actor Waheeda Rehman — who is 75 but thinks like a young 30, tripped and fell. A surgery to correct the fractured wrist was performed. My sporting aunt made light of the situation and chose to bear the pain rather than return home in Mumbai. Considering that as a super star, she could afford to throw tantrums and be pampered by family and friends, this experience has different connotations.
Waheeda Rehman is an actor extraordinaire and one can go on and on about her varied performances and achievements over the last five decades. However, her personal life has always had an aura of mystery as she is fiercely protective of her privacy. Not many know that she is a devoted family person. She would go to any length to help a family member in need. What is admirable is that she would do so in a manner that is not overwhelming. When one of her sisters was involved in a road accident, she dropped everything and rushed to comfort her and to take charge of her mundane domestic chores.
In spite of her hectic schedule, she would keep track of her nieces and nephews. One memory is etched in my mind. After the graduation ceremony when I walked out of the Bombay University premises, I saw her sitting in the car, waiting to congratulate me and take me to a fancy restaurant for a treat! I was the first ‘girl’ graduate in the family. It was a big moment for me.
She has always had this youthful exuberance about her which makes her spontaneous and so much fun. This is what egged her on to wrap a chunni around her head and go pillion riding with one of her grand nephews! I also remember the wonderful time we had when she would take all the children of the house, for a picnic in her convertible Dodge.
At a recent family gathering, the younger generation was curious to know how she had carved a niche for herself in a field which is known to have aggressive competition. We also were keen to learn how she maintained a sense of balance through lean times, especially when she lost her husband. I would like to share some of her mantras for success: hard work, discipline, perseverance, humility and maintaining cordial relationships with people at work. She says yoga and vipassana does wonders to keep one grounded. She does yoga every morning. It helps one keep calm, she says. Not many know that she is a certified yoga instructor.
It is her belief that to be happy and content; one must take life as it comes. Enjoy every moment to the hilt. She loves to read, travel and meet people. In every activity she undertakes, she seeks knowledge hence continues to have an active body and alert mind. It is remarkable that in the midst of new actors and amongst many stars of her era, this lady continues to enjoy recognition and popularity.
A testimony to this is that she being awarded as one “25 Global Indians” launched by the NDTV. This recent success is another example of her remarkable legacy. She is perhaps the greatest Indian actress of her generation. But she is still the same person she was all those years ago – humble, affectionate and so much fun. For me, this is her defining characteristic.
