“ CID ” and “ Pyaasa ”, which was directed by Guru Dutt, were shot simultaneously. Khosla also told Dutt that it would be her last film with him. If she became successful, the producers would be in big trouble, the director told Guru Dutt. He told Guru Dutt though none of her films had been released yet, she was playing difficult. Raj Khosla was not happy with Waheeda Rehman's work in " CID ". Finally, it was decided that she would wear a dupatta over her blouse. Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla and choreographer Zohra Sehgal tried to convince her, but in vain. Later, it was increased to Rs 3,500.Īs the filming began, the actress refused to wear a see-through blouse for the picturisation of the song, “ Kahin Pe Nigahen ”. During the contract, her starting salary was Rs 2,000 per month. He vehemently opposed her demand and conveyed his views to his friend, Guru Dutt. Raj Khosla was extremely annoyed with her for throwing tantrums. If she didn’t like a particular dress, she wouldn’t wear it. When the contract was about to be finalised ( the mother of Waheeda Rehman was to sign it since the actress was a minor at that time ), Waheeda wanted a clause about her costumes to be added to it.
But, that wasn't the end of her differences with the makers of " CID ". After three days, they reluctantly agreed to let her retain her name. Taken aback at the new entrant's audacity, Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla sought time to think over the matter. But, in your case, while we have called you and are giving you a break, it is you who is dictating the terms." Waheeda Rehman said it was give and take and refused to change her name. In her own words, " the director of the film, Raj Khosla, who was also a close friend of Guru Dutt, was livid." He said : Whenever a new actor signs a contract, it is the filmmaker who has the final say. But, Waheeda Rehman didn't relent, leading to a standoff. In a bid to persuade her, it was also said her name didn't have a ring of glamour or sex appeal to it. " Many actors- Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Dilip Kumar - have changed their names ," was the argument. The producer said change of name was a trend and several stars of the era had done so.
The seventeen-year-old countered him by saying that wouldn't be a problem as they could call her " Waheeda " on the sets while the film titles would carry her full name. Guru Dutt then said " Waheeda Rehman " was too long. It was rude to say it wasn't good and she wouldn't change it. She said her parents had given her the name and she also liked it. At the outset, Guru Dutt and his unit said her name wasn't good and it should be changed. She was offered a contract on a salary basis. Waheeda Rehman, who had acted in some popular Tamil and Telugu films, had flown from Chennai to Bombay (Mumbai now) along with her mother at the behest of filmmaker Guru Dutt, who had met them earlier, to play her first Hindi role in his forthcoming production, " CID ".
The reason was her frequent fracas with the team of " CID ", especially director Raj Khosla.
The young actress, who, in the years to come, would hold the viewers under her sway with stellar performances in “ Guide ”, “ Pyaasa ”, “ Kaagaz Ke Phool”, “ Chaudhvin Ka Chand ”, “ Teesri Kasam ”, “ Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam ” and “ Khamoshi ”, didn’t have it easy in the beginning. The "evergreen hero" was a clerk in the military censor's office of the British Government before starting his innings in Hindi cinema.īut, for Waheeda Rehman, it was also a debut marked by faceoffs. He did modelling and even worked as a background dancer before he was offered his first film role. Akshay also sold jewellery in Delhi for a while. He was briefly employed in a hotel in Dhaka as a chef. Later, he did a stint with a travel agency in Calcutta (now Kolkata ). While getting training in martial arts in Bangkok, Akshay worked as a chef and a waiter. Prior to becoming an actor, Akshay Kumar worked as a chef and a waiter while learning martial arts in Thailand.Īkshay who has completed 30 years in Bollywood did many jobs before becoming an actor. Back in the day, they were regular people who did all sorts of things to make a living. No, these are the jobs the stars did before their entry into films. Roles played by them over a period of time, one may think. A chef, a travel agent, a bus conductor, a watchman, a waiter, a clerk, a dry fruit merchant. It may be difficult to think of them as anybody else but actors. Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Akshay Kumar, Rajinikanth, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Boman Irani.