Sep 19, 2026 11:00am IST
Waheeda Rehman to Play Mahatma Gandhi’s Mother in Anubhav Sinha and Sudhir Mishra’s Next (EXCLUSIVE)
Waheeda Rehman is set to return to the screen in a rare outing. The veteran actor has joined the cast of Sudhir Mishra’s upcoming directorial, produced by Anubhav Sinha, which explores a lesser-known 21-day chapter from Mahatma Gandhi’s life. She will play Putlibai, Gandhi’s mother. Manoj Bajpayee brings Gandhi to life in the ambitious project, which has Saurabh Shukla in a key role.
Speaking about Rehman joining the project, director Sudhir Mishra said, “It fills me with immense joy to say that Waheedaji is going to be a part of this project! I have such a deep and personal connection with films like “Pyaasa,” “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,” “Kaagaz Ke Phool” and “Guide.” I grew up watching these films, mostly on the big screen, and they have stayed with me in ways I can’t quite put into words. I still can’t quite believe that someone who has been a part of these legendary films is now going to be a part of a project I’m directing. It feels incredibly special and surreal. It is an absolute honor to have her in this film.”
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Producer Anubhav Sinha says, “What an incredible honor it has been to sit and talk about movies in general with Waheedaji, and this one in particular, where Sudhir and the script convinced her to be back on set.”
Rehman, who won the National Film Award for her performance in “Reshma Aur Shera” (1971), received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2021. Her career spanning over seven decades includes several iconic films, including “Pyaasa” (1957), “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959), “Chaudhvin Ka Chand” (1960), “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962), “Guide” (1965), “Khamoshi” (1969), “Reshma Aur Shera” (1971) and “Mashaal” (1981). The 88-year-old actress was last seen on screen in the film “Skater Girl” (2021)
The Sudhir Mishra-Anubhav Sinha collaboration focuses on a relatively unexplored period in Gandhi’s life, examining the personal choices and relationships surrounding the leader against the backdrop of India’s freedom struggle. By blending a deeply personal human story with the historical independence movement, the film promises to offer audiences an intimate and moving perspective on an important chapter of Indian history.
Directed by Sudhir Mishra, the film is produced by Anubhav Sinha and Narendra Hirawat under Benaras Mediaworks and presented by NH Studioz.
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