She Dreamed Of Journalism But Won Three National Awards As An Actress: The Surekha Sikri Story

On her death anniversary, here is how Surekha Sikri, who left her mark across television, Bollywood and theatre, went from wanting to be a journalist to becoming a three-time National Award winning actress.

Legendary actress Surekha Sikri, who ruled hearts across television, Bollywood and theatre alike, is remembered today on her death anniversary. She brought such intensity to every character she played, from stern grandmothers to strong-willed mothers, that audiences still recall her performances vividly. In one film from 2018, her performance was so powerful that she ended up overshadowing even the film's lead hero.

She Wanted To Be A Journalist, Not An Actress
Interestingly, acting was never Surekha Sikri's first choice. She never dreamt of becoming an actress or working in films; journalism was what she originally wanted to pursue. But fate pulled her towards the stage instead, and that turn eventually became the foundation of her entire identity. She grew up in Almora and Nainital, and in 1971 she completed her training at the National School of Drama, popularly known as NSD.

Years On Stage Before Her Bollywood Debut
After graduating from NSD, Surekha Sikri spent several years working purely in theatre. She performed for a long stretch with the NSD Repertory Company, showcasing her acting talent in numerous memorable plays. That theatre grounding sharpened her craft so thoroughly that it went on to benefit her directly once she moved into films and television. She stepped into Bollywood in 1977 with the film Kissa Kursi Ka. From there, she took on roles both big and small, and turned every single one of them memorable with her distinctive style. Her work in films like Tamas, Mammo, Sarfarosh, Zubeidaa and Raincoat was widely praised.

Playing Karisma Kapoor's Mother In Zubeidaa
In the 2001 film Zubeidaa, Surekha Sikri played the role of Karisma Kapoor's mother. She made this character memorable too, in her own distinctive style, reflecting just how versatile her acting range truly was.

The Grandmother Role In Badhaai Ho And A Third National Award
In the 2018 film Badhaai Ho, Surekha Sikri created history by playing Ayushmann Khurrana's grandmother. She had already won two National Awards before this film, but her performance in Badhaai Ho earned her the National Film Award for a third time. She also received several other film awards for the same role. That recognition for Badhaai Ho proved that age is truly just a number, and that a well-written role can push an actor's performance to its absolute peak, no matter their age.

She Kept Working Despite Illness, Passed Away At 76
In that very year, 2018, Surekha Sikri suffered a brain stroke that affected her health for a long time afterward. Even so, she never gave up her will to keep working. On 16 July 2021, she passed away in Mumbai at the age of 76 due to cardiac arrest. Surekha Sikri carved out a distinct identity for herself across Hindi cinema, television and theatre, and the characters she played, whether the stern demeanour of a grandmother or the roles of mothers and strong women, continue to live on in audiences' hearts.

Questions & Answers

1. When did Surekha Sikri pass away?
She passed away in Mumbai on 16 July 2021 at the age of 76 due to cardiac arrest.

2. How many National Awards did Surekha Sikri win?
She won three National Awards, the last one for the 2018 film Badhaai Ho.

3. What role did Surekha Sikri play in Badhaai Ho?
She played the grandmother of Ayushmann Khurrana's character.

4. Which film did Surekha Sikri share with Karisma Kapoor?
In the 2001 film Zubeidaa, she played the role of Karisma Kapoor's mother.

5. When did Surekha Sikri make her Bollywood debut?
She debuted in Bollywood in 1977 with the film Kissa Kursi Ka.

6. What did Surekha Sikri originally want to become?
She originally wanted to be a journalist, not an actress.

7. Which films is Surekha Sikri best known for?
Her performances in Tamas, Mammo, Sarfarosh, Zubeidaa and Raincoat were widely praised.

8. What health issue did Surekha Sikri face in 2018?
She suffered a brain stroke in 2018, which affected her health for a long time afterward.

Inspiration & Lessons
Surekha Sikri's journey shows that with patience and genuine effort, a career path can change completely, as long as the work put into it comes from the heart.

• Don't fear a change in direction: she once dreamed of being a journalist, but embraced the turn fate gave her and built her career on the stage instead.
• Build a strong foundation: her years of training at NSD and working in theatre made her craft so solid that it kept paying off for decades in films and television.
• Don't let age be an excuse: a role like the one in Badhaai Ho, which came late in her career, won her a third National Award, proving the right opportunity can arrive at any age.
• Keep working through hardship: even after suffering a brain stroke in 2018, she never gave up her will to keep working.
• Give every role your full commitment: whether big or small, she made every single character memorable through her distinctive acting.

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