Surekha Sikri: Movies & Box Office

Surekha Sikri (19 April 1945 – 16 July 2021) was an Indian actress celebrated for her powerful presence across theatre, cinema and television. Born in New Delhi during the final years of British India, she spent much of her childhood in the hill towns of Almora and Nainital before moving to Aligarh for higher education. After completing her studies at Aligarh Muslim University she entered the National School of Drama, graduating in 1971 and joining the NSD Repertory Company where she honed her craft for over a decade. Her theatrical foundation gave her a distinctive depth that translated seamlessly to the screen, beginning with the political drama Kissa Kursi Ka in 1977. Over the next four decades she built an impressive filmography that included acclaimed Hindi and Malayalam titles such as Tamas, Mammo, Sarfarosh and the blockbuster Badhaai Ho, the latter earning her a rare trifecta of awards: the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Filmfare Award and the Screen Award. Sikri was also a prominent figure on Indian television, delivering a memorable performance as the stern matriarch Kalyani Devi in the long‑running serial Balika Vadhu, for which she received multiple Indian Telly Awards. Her contributions to Hindi theatre were recognised with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989. Off‑screen she was married to writer‑actor Hemant Rege until his death in 2009, and the couple had a son, Rahul Sikri, who works as an artist in Mumbai. Aunts and connections in the industry included her former brother‑in‑law Naseeruddin Shah, linking her to a wider artistic family. Sikri’s career was marked by a relentless pursuit of authenticity, a reputation for delivering nuanced performances that resonated with audiences across generations, and a legacy that continues to inspire actors and directors alike. She passed away on 16 July 2021 in Mumbai after suffering complications from prior strokes, leaving behind a rich body of work that remains a benchmark for supporting roles in Indian cinema.