Mumbai, July 15: Surekha Sikri, a legendary actress known for her remarkable contributions to Hindi cinema, television, and theater, has left an indelible mark on audiences. Though she passed away in 2021, the characters she portrayed continue to resonate with fans. From the stern ‘Dadi Sa’ to sensitive mothers and strong women, she infused life into every role.
Interestingly, before entering the world of acting, Surekha dreamed of becoming a journalist. However, fate led her to the stage, where she ultimately carved out her identity as an actress.
Born on April 19, 1945, in New Delhi, Surekha spent her childhood in Almora and Nainital. She excelled academically and initially aspired to be a journalist. However, her life took a pivotal turn while studying at Aligarh Muslim University, where she became enamored with theater.
It is said that a play directed by the renowned Ibrahim Alkazi at Aligarh Muslim University profoundly influenced her. Her sister was also inspired by the same play and considered pursuing acting. Eventually, Surekha applied to the National School of Drama (NSD) and was accepted. In 1968, she moved to Delhi to study acting and graduated from NSD in 1971.
After graduating, Surekha spent several years working in theater. She performed with the NSD Repertory Company and participated in numerous memorable plays. This theater experience enriched her acting skills, which later translated into her work in films and television. In 1989, she received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contributions to theater.
Surekha made her Bollywood debut in 1977 with “Kissa Kursi Ka.” She went on to play supporting roles in various films, each time leaving a unique mark. Her performances in Govind Nihalani’s “Tamas,” Shyam Benegal’s “Mammo,” “Sarfarosh,” “Zubeida,” “Raincoat,” and many others garnered critical acclaim.
She won the National Film Award for her roles in the films “Tamas” (1988) and “Mammo” (1995). The 2018 film “Badhaai Ho” introduced her to a new generation of viewers, where she played Durga Devi Kaushik, the grandmother of Ayushmann Khurrana’s character. This role earned her a third National Film Award, along with Filmfare and Screen Awards.
However, Surekha gained widespread recognition through the television series “Balika Vadhu,” where she portrayed Kalayani Devi, affectionately known as ‘Dadi Sa.’ Viewers began to recognize her more by this character’s name than her real name, thanks to her distinctive dialogue delivery and expressive face.
Throughout her life, Surekha faced numerous challenges. In 2018, she suffered a brain stroke, which affected her health. Despite this setback, she remained determined to continue working and expressed her desire to act with dignity.
Her final films included “Ghost Stories” and “Kya Meri Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai?” Surekha Sikri passed away from a cardiac arrest on July 16, 2021, at the age of 76 in Mumbai.
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