Waheeda Rehman, the iconic actress, recently revealed that she almost didn't star in the classic film Guide. In a recent interview, she shared how a prior disagreement with the film's initial director, Raj Khosla, nearly led her to turn down the role of Rosy.

Rehman explained that she and Khosla had a difference of opinion during a previous project, which strained their professional relationship. "I never worked with him after that," she stated, emphasizing her unwillingness to collaborate with him again, regardless of the project. "I wasn't willing to change that for Guide or any other film".

However, Dev Anand, who not only starred in the film but was also instrumental in its production, was determined to have Waheeda Rehman play the lead role. According to Rehman, Dev Anand was quite persuasive and persistent in his efforts to convince her. He urged her to "let bygones be bygones," but she initially remained firm in her decision.

Adding to the complications, Raj Khosla was eventually replaced by Chetan Anand as the director. Ironically, Chetan Anand was also hesitant to cast Waheeda Rehman. Rehman laughingly recounted, "Chetan Saab didn't want me either!". She believed that Chetan Anand had someone else in mind for the role, possibly Priya Rajvansh. However, Dev Anand insisted on having a trained dancer for the part, and Priya Rajvansh wasn't a dancer.

Ultimately, Vijay Anand, also known as Goldie, stepped in to direct Guide. Waheeda Rehman and Dev Anand shared remarkable on-screen chemistry, having starred together in seven films, including Solva Saal, Kala Bazar, and Prem Pujari.

Reflecting on her initial reluctance, Waheeda Rehman acknowledged the significant impact Guide had on her career. "Guide is not just my most iconic film," she admitted. "It was also Dev's most celebrated work". She also stated that the film became the defining work for Dev Anand, Vijay Anand, and herself.

Guide, released in 1965, is a romantic drama based on R.K. Narayan's novel The Guide. The film was screened at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, decades after its release.