Mumbai: Three-time National Award-winning actress Surekha Sikri, popular as Dadisa of Balika Vadhu, passed away on Friday following a cardiac arrest. She was 75.
For quite some time now, Sikri has been unwell, suffering from complications due to a second brain stroke. She suffered a brain stroke in 2020 and a paralytic stroke in 2018.
Bollywood personalities including Manoj Bajpayee and Randeep Hooda have mourned the death of the actress.
In recent years, she won acclaim for her roles in the film Badhaai Ho, and the TV series Balika Vadhu.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee tagged Surekha as one of the greatest talents.
"Very Sad news !!! One of the greatest talents Surekha Sikri Ji passed away, leaving behind many great performances in theatre and cinema!! She was a treat to watch on stage. Can't forget some of those memories of her act in theatre. Great craft and a graceful person!! RIP," Manoj tweeted.
Actor Vijay Varma, who gained popularity as Moeen from the film Gully Boy, called Surekha's demise a loss to cinema. Vijay wrote on his Instagram story: "What a force of nature she was. A true artist. A big loss to the cinema. Heartbroke."
Actor Randeep Hooda simply wrote: "Rest in peace #SurekhaSikri Ji"
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit called it a "great loss to the industry".
"Sad to know about the demise of veteran theatre, television, film actress & a great human being #SurekhaSikhri Ji due to cardiac arrest. It's a great loss to the industry. My heartfelt condolences to her near & dear ones" he tweeted.
Actor Gajraj Rao, who played Surekha Sikri's son in the 2018 Bollywood hit "Badhaai Ho", has paid tribute to the late actor, who passed away on Friday aged 75 following a cardiac arrest.
Reminiscing about Sikri on the set, Gajraj penned: "She was definitely the youngest at heart on the sets, and had no airs about her stature or endless experience as an actress. Her craft was defined by her years of homework and 'riyaaz' as an actress, combined with child-like enthusiasm."
Ayushmann posted a video clip of Sikri on Instagram Story. In the clip, Sikri is seen reciting a few lines written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. In the monochrome video, Sikri, who wears a white shirt with bird prints, mouths the lines of "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat."
"RIP Surekha Sikri," wrote Ayushmann, along with the video.
Sikri made her film debut in the 1978 political drama Kissa Kursi Ka and made a mark with roles in films, TV and on stage over more than 40 years. She won the National Award as Best Supporting Actress for Tamas (1988), Mammo (1995) and Badhaai Ho (2018). She won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989.
Sikri was born in Uttar Pradesh. Her father was in the Air Force and her mother was a teacher. She graduated from the National School of Drama (NSD) in 1971.