During the Liberation War, Waheeda Rehman Padma Bhushan, Padmashree, as one of the prominent organizers of the Bangladesh Shahayak Samity of Maharashtra, participated in various programmes, which helped create public opinion in favour of Bangladesh. She played an important role in organizing cultural programmes and also participated in those for collection of funds for the refugees. For her outstanding support and contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh, eminent actor and social activist Waheeda Rehman Padma Bhushan, Padmashree is awarded Friends of Liberation War Honour.