#GoldenFrames: Rehman, one of the most stylish villains of Bollywood

Be it Mr Ghosh in 'Pyaasa' (1957) or Nawab in 'Chaudhvin ka Chand' (1960) or an insensitive Chhote Sarkar in 'Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam' (1962) or a remarkable character as Chenoy Seth in 'Waqt' (1965), Rehman stunned his audience with his boundless talent. Unlike other villains, Rehman hardly had a physical fight with the heroes; his characters in movies were untouchable and ruthless. The actor's robust physique, broad shoulders, piercing eyes and grainy voice would bring shivers down one's spine. Rehman's first significant role was in 'Hum Ek Hain' (1946) with Dev Anand, and then played the role of legendary Emperor Shahjahan in 'Shahjahan' (1946). He ended up starring in over seventy movies. Rehman's character roles were sophisticated primarily and noble but often wicked.

In This Pic : Rehman, goldenframes

Rehman Khan, popularly known as Rehman, was born in Lahore, British India, on June 23, 1923, in a Pathan family. It is believed that his roots descend from Afghanistan's King Amanullah Khan. Eventually, the actor's family relocated to Jabalpur, where he attended Robinson College. After completing college, he joined the Indian Air Force as a Pilot. In 1944, Rehman failed a test, so he opted out of the Indian Air Force to work at Pune's famous Prabhat Studios, Mumbai.

(Photo Courtesy: Rehman's sister, Benazir Aminuddin)

In This Pic : Rehman, goldenframes

He was the 3rd assistant to the director, Vikram Bedekar, in the movie 'Lakharani' (1945). In one of his interviews, Rehman explained, "Prabhat was a fine studio, something made out of love. It had a homely atmosphere, lots of facilities, even a swimming pool to splash in and horses to ride on."

(Photo Courtesy: Rehman's sister, Benazir Aminuddin)

In This Pic : Rehman, goldenframes

After his apprenticeship with Bedekar, the actor moved on to assist filmmaker DD Kashyap. On the sets of DD Kashyap’s 'Chand' (1944), the crew could not find anyone who could tie a Pathani Turban, and it was Rehman who resolved the problem and was given a small two-line dialogue role of a Pathan for a dance sequence in the movie. Rehman had to turn around to say the following dialogue to the dancer when the song ended, “Wah, wah! Kitna achcha naach tha. Saaz ki lehron pe chand ka naach tha (Wow! You danced so well, like the dance of the moon on the waves of music).” However, the actor had some difficulty saying the line and ended up going through thirty takes. Apparently, the director was so fed up that he ordered him off the set.

(Photo Courtesy: Rehman's sister, Benazir Aminuddin)

In This Pic : Rehman, goldenframes

But Sheikh Fatehlal, a partner at Prabhat, nudged DD Kashyap to bring him back. After fifty takes, the scene was okayed by Kashyap. The actor's performance was so good that it opened the world of acting before him. Rehman recalled, "It was soon found that I was the only one in the studio who knew how to tie the Pathan turban, and I could do that only around my own head. So director Kashyap asked me to don the turban and make-up and join the crowd before the camera."

(Photo Courtesy: Rehman's sister, Benazir Aminuddin)

In This Pic : Rehman, goldenframes