Quotes from Waheeda Rehman

In my time, if your performance was good, you would get the award. It would be a nail-biting experience. We would always be curious whether our name would be announced as the winner.

It was the ill-fated Dil Diya Dard Liya in 1966, where she played my friend. Though the film didn't do well, it is remembered for its powerful theme. Shyama was an entertaining friend during the shooting and we continued our friendship even after the film was over.

There are so many fabulous heroine-oriented projects happening in Mumbai, whether it's 'Kahaani,' 'Bobby Jasoos,' 'Queen' or 'Mardaani.'

Once a heroine is beyond a certain age, she has to graduate to mother's roles or quit.

You cannot have lasting success if you are only looking for short term gains.

People come up to me and say that when I did films, that was the golden era, but I don't agree with that.

I was always fond of giving good education to people.

I am extremely satisfied and content. I am happy and I think happiness is enough for everything.

I feel lucky to have worked with Satyajit Ray.

Working with stalwarts like Satyajit Ray, Soumitra Chatterjee and Rabi Ghosh is an experience I always cherish.

I was lucky to work with some of the finest filmmakers - Guru Dutt, Satyajit Ray, Vijay Anand, Raj Khosla, Asit Sen.

Satyajit Ray made films the way films should be made - from start to finish. So whether you're needed on the set or not, you can spend your whole time thinking about your character.

Nanda and I never discussed work. Our work never came in the way of our friendship. We were both down-to-earth and very Indian. Both of us attempted glamorous roles but soon realised that it's better to play characters that were close to our personalities.

As an actor, you want to do different things. You don't want to do same kind of stuff. I like the characters I play to have a graph.

I experimented with roles in films such as 'Guide,' 'Mujhe Jeene Do' and 'Teesri Kasam.'

If I'm asked which is my favourite character to play, I'll definitely say Rosy from 'Guide' because I feel she is very real.

I'm proud to be part of Guru Duttji's films.

Blessed with intelligence, beauty and undeniable talent, Vidya Balan can work wonders if she receives the right script and a sensible director.

Whether its the National Award, the Padma Bhushan, or several others, nothing will make an artiste happier than the appreciation from the man on the street.

Though films need retakes, I have always hated them because they tend to become mechanical.

I've shot many films in Hindi and some in Bangla in Kolkata. It's always a pleasure to be part of the city.

As for Amitabh Bachchan, I worked with him in 'Reshma Aur Shera' where he played a mute character. While shooting I noticed that he expresses a lot through his eyes. Around the same time he did a commentary for 'Bhuvan Shome.' I felt this boy was amazing. He has got both the traits required for being a good actor: voice and expression.

During those days, we formed working relationships that lasted beyond the workplace. So even after 'Dil Diya Dard Liya,' Shyama and I would meet often.

Awards have lost their charm. The experience of getting an award has completely dissolved. Awards functions start in December and go on till April and are distributed for anything and everything. Categories like Best Jodi, Best Dressed Celebrity are all redundant.