Waheeda Rehman was born on 14th May, 1936 into a traditional Muslim family in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Her first film was the Telegu film Jaisimha (1955) followed by Rojulu Marayi (1955), which was a huge success. Guru Dutt was the one to discover her and he brought her to Bombay. Waheeda was cast as the vamp in his production C.I.D. (1956) directed by Raj Khosla.
The following year she shot to fame and stardom with the release of Guru Dutt's masterpiece Pyaasa. She played the role of prostitute with the heart of gold with sheer delicacy and brilliance. By now she was involved with Guru Dutt who was a married man. Because of the affair GuruDutt’s family life was also in turmoil. Kaagaz ke Phool (1959) and Chaudhavin ka Chand (1960) established her as a successful actress.

By now there was indifference between Waheeda and Guru dutt and Waheeda choose to walk away from the relationship. After she left Dutt, Waheeda went a step forward when Satyajit Ray cast her in his Abhijaan (1962). The same year Bees Saal Baad (1962), was a huge hit which was based on The Hound of the Baskervilles. Strong performances in Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), a dacoit drama and Kohra (1964), a re-make of Hitchcock's Rebecca (1940) followed.

She reached the pinnacle of her career with Guide (1965). She portrayed the role of Rosie, a woman who leaves her stifling impotent husband and lives with her lover, a guide who helps her in her ambitions to become a famous dancer. It was a daring role and she did a great job. She won the Best actress award for the role.

After Guide, Ram Aur Shyam (1967) was a great success at the box office. Pathar ke Sanam (1967) also did very well however films like Teesri Kasam (1966), Khamoshi (1969) and Reshma Aur Shera (1971) bombed at the box-office in spite of some of her best work as an actress.

Waheeda quit the film industry after her marriage to actor-turned-businessman Kamaljeet. The couple settled in Bangalore. Waheeda, along with two friends, ventured into health food business, under the brand name Good Earth and remained busy with her business until we saw her in Yash Chopra’s Lamhe (1991). Today she does accept few film offers. She played mother to Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Abhishek Bachchan in Anupam Kher's Om Jai Jadgish.