Rehman (23 June 1921- 5 Nov 1984), a man whose majestic voice was his signature in the Golden Era of Bollywood. He was an integral part of the Guru Dutt team, and most known for his roles in films such as Pyar ki Jeet, Badi Behen, Pyaasa, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, like Guru Dutt he was also signed by Prabhat Studios as 3rd assistant director to Vishram Bedekar during the shooting of Lakharani (1945).
He was the hero of Suraya in Pyar Ki Jeet(1948), and Badi Behan(1949). Hero of Kamini Kaushal & Madhubala in Paras(1949) and Pardes(1950), as time passed, he accepted supporting roles and made his mark in some hit films like Pyaasa(1957), Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Chaudhvin Ka Chand(1960)and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam(1962).
After college (1942), he joined the Royal Indian Air Force and trained at Poona as a pilot. The Air Force didn't appeal to him and soon left for a career in films at Bombay. His first brush with acting happened almost by chance. Director D.D. Kashyap, whom Rehman was assisting at that time, urgently required someone to play the role of a Pathan in his film ‘Chand’ (1944). Since Rehman was the only one on the sets who could tie a turban the Pathani way, he got this role, for this role he had to speak one dialogue, he had to give 50 takes for this dialogue.
The next film was Hum Ek Hain followed by Pyar Ki Jeet(1948) and Badi Behan(1949) as hero opposite Suraiya. Both films were hit but after these films, none of his films as hero clicked. It was Guru Dutt who offered him the character role in Pyasa
Rehman also did key roles in ‘Waqt’, ‘Baharon Ki Manzil’, ‘Gomti ke Kinare’, ‘Dushman’, ‘Holi Ayi Re’. Rehman received four Filmfare nominations as Best Supporting Actor for: Choti Bahen (1958), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966).
In 1977, he suffered heart attacks after which he got throat cancer and died after a prolonged and painful illness in 1979. What a tragedy, the man who had an impressive, majestic voice lost his voice and he was unable to speak during his last days in his life.
The song in which he appeared with Suraiya in Badi Behan will be remembered forever. “Chup Chup Khade ho, Zaroor koi Baat hai”, will always be in our memories.
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