Sep 26, 2023
Bollywood's yesteryear star Waheeda Rehman is being honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award this year. In the history of the award, set up in 1969, there have been only eight women recipients.
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In the last two decades, Waheeda Rehman is the 3rd woman to receive this honour. Singer Asha Bhosle was feted in 2000, while Rehman's contemporary Asha Parekh was felicitated with this last year. Here are a few other exemplary & exceptional women recipients.
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Devika Rani, known as the 'First Lady of Indian Cinema,' was the first woman recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969. Born in 1908, she made her debut with the film 'Karma' (1933) and became famous for being the first Indian actor to have kissed co-star Himanshu Rai.
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Devika Rani's acting prowess was the highlight of 'Janmabhoomi', 'Savitri' and other films in the 1940s. Her on-screen chemistry with Ashok Kumar redefined reel love. Apart from acting, she also played a pivotal role in setting up Bombay Talkies, a pioneering film studio.
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Ruby Myers, known as Sulochana, was a silent-era trailblazer who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award posthumously in 1973. A Baghdadi Jew, she spoke complex emotions through silent acting and became one of India's earliest cinematic stars.
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Born in 1907, Sulochana was discovered by director Mohan Bhavnani of Kohinoor Film Company. She rose to fame with films like 'Anarkali' (1928) and 'Madhuri' (1928). Her stardom knew no boundaries, and in a short span she attained fame and glory.
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Kanan Devi, who was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1976, wore many hats with ease. A talented actress, playback singer and producer, she began as a child artiste in silent films. The industry took note of the budding performer and she steadily graduated to more important roles.
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Kanan Devi's contribution to the nascent Indian film industry was stellar. After delivering hits like 'Jawaab' (1942) and 'Haar Jeet' (1940), she turned producer and set up Shrimati Pictures in 1949. She also set up the Mahila Shilpi Mandal, an organisation that sought to help senior female artistes.
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Durga Khote, a stalwart of Indian cinema, was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke in 1983. In her acting career of over five decades, she portrayed a wide range of roles and left a lasting legacy.
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Khote's Jodha Bai act in 'Mughal-e-Azam' (1960) left a lasting impression. After the classic, she was seen in a multitude of strong female roles. Her ability to adapt to diverse roles and a commanding screen presence made her one of the most sought-after actresses.
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Known as the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar was the first playback singer to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989. In a career spanning over seven decades, she brought to life heroines on screen - from Madhubala to Madhuri and Preity, her voice had magic.
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A best of Lata Mangeshkar is a tough one to compile! Her breakout song was ‘Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora’, from the movie 'Majboor' (1948). In later years, Mangeshkar was a staple in Yash Chopra’s films - from Rakhi to Kajol, there was hardly any heroine who didn't have a Lata Mangeshkar song to lip sync to!
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11 yrs after Lata Mangeshkar, her sister Asha Bhosle was presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000. Born in 1933, her versatility in singing and ability to adapt to various musical genres have made her an irreplaceable figure in Indian music.
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Ghazals, Indipop, rock, fusion - there's little that Asha Bhosle has not sung! And that explains why this golden voice - that has symbolised naughty and nice on screen - has over 12,000 songs to her credit!
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Asha Parekh, who ruled the Hindi box-office for over two decades, was recognised for her contribution to Indian cinema in 2022. Parekh, who romanced Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna and almost all other big stars of the time on screen, started her career as a child artiste in 1952 at the age of 10.
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Asha Parekh was mostly portrayed as a glamorous diva. Her choice of sarees and pearls set off a fashion trend. And so did her hairstyles.
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