Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Sudhir Mishra Welcome Legend Waheeda Rehman to Their Star-Studded Historic Project!

“Sudhir was very keen on having her as part of the cast,” revealed Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha revealed about casting legendary actress Waheeda Rehman, in his upcoming project!

Waheeda Rehman comes on board alongside Manoj Bajpayee and Saurabh Shukla for a deeply personal chapter on India’s independence history, which is directed by Sudhir Mishra, produced by Anubhav Sinha and Narendra Hirawat under A Benaras Mediaworks production, and presented by NH Studioz.

Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Sudhir Mishra are assembling an impressive ensemble for their upcoming project, which delves into a lesser-known 21-day chapter from Mahatma Gandhi’s life. With National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee set to portray the iconic leader, the makers have further strengthened the cast with the addition of legendary actress Waheeda Rehman.

Waheeda Rehman has joined the cast to play Putlibai, the mother of Mahatma Gandhi. Her inclusion brings immense emotional depth to a story that focuses not just on history, but on the quiet, personal choices of a leader. “Waheedaji was rather unsure of coming back to acting in another movie. But Sudhir was very keen on having her as part of the cast,” says Anubhav Sinha. Over several rounds of conversation, Mishra reassured her about the role, while Sinha leaned into charm and cuisine. “I promised to feed her the best food in Lucknow,” he says. Waheeda Rehman, who had visited Lucknow a long time ago and wasn’t very familiar with the city, finally agreed. She is now in Lucknow, shooting for the film and playing what the team describes as a very important part although not Putlibai, as some reports suggest.

Honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest civilian honour, and a National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Reshma Aur Shera (1971), Waheeda Rehman’s career is packed with timeless classics like Guide, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Teesri Kasam, and Khamoshi. Seeing her step into such an important and grounded role alongside Manoj Bajpayee marks a truly special moment for Indian cinema.

With two masters of their craft coming together and a talented ensemble cast bringing this historic era to life, the film is poised to be an unmissable cinematic event. By blending a deeply personal human story with the scale of India’s independence, this ambitious venture promises to offer audiences a fresh, intimate, and moving perspective on a chapter of Indian independence history they only thought they knew.

The film is directed by Sudhir Mishra and features Manoj Bajpayee and Saurabh Shukla in key roles. The film is produced by Anubhav Sinha and Narendra Hirawat under A Benaras Mediaworks production and presented by NH Studioz.

By Keerti Kadam