Happy birthday Waheeda Rehman: You are the best dancer in Bollywood

After Guru Dutt spotted her talent and brought her to Bollywood, Waheeda Rehman - who celebrates her birthday on Wednesday - gave us several dance numbers that we can keep watching in loop forever. Here, we list a few popular songs where Waheeda showcased her skills to the best

She’s the epitome of grace in Bollywood, and at 78, still rated among the most beautiful ladies in films. Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman, who celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, has been wowing us with a range of roles -- from her debut in CID in 1956 to the recent Dilli 6 (2009) with Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor.

Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in a still from Waheeda’s first Hindi film CID. (YouTube grab)

Born in 1938 in Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu), Waheeda has worked in several critically acclaimed Bengali, Tamil and Hindi films. Some of her most appreciated movies include CID (1956), Guide (1965), Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Reshma Aur Shera (1971). She also worked with Satyajit Ray in the Bengali film Abhijan (1962).

Read: Vidya Balan can be next me, says Waheeda

She will soon be seen in the sequel to Kamal Haasan’s 2013 hit Vishwaroopam.

Read: Waheeda to make a comeback soon

One of the most talented dancers of her times, Waheeda learnt Bharatnatyam at an early age in Chennai and even performed on stage. After Guru Dutt spotted Waheeda’s talent and brought her to Bollywood, she gave us several dance numbers that we can keep watching in loop forever. Here, we list a few popular songs where Waheeda showcased her skills to the best:

CID (1956)
Music: OP Nayyar
Singer: Shamshad Begum

2. Piya Tose Naina

Guide (1965)
Music: SD Burman
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

3. Paan Khaye Saiyaan Humaro

Teesri Kasam (1966)
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Singer: Asha Bhonsle

4. Sharma Ke Yun Na Dekh

Neel Kamal (1968)
Music: Ravi
Singer: Md Rafi

5. Rangeela Re

Prem Pujari (1970)
Music: SD Burman
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Special mention

Though it is not a song, this wonderful performance by Waheeda in the 1961 film Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja deserves a special spot for flaunting Waheeda’s skills. You can watch her perform to Shankar Jaikishan’s music.

Which one is your favourite dance number by Waheeda Rahman? Share in the comment box below:

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