'Balika Vadhu' actor Surekha Sikri dies of cardiac arrest

Sikri had suffered a brain stroke in September last year and was discharged after a few days

National award-winning actress Surekha Sikri – who excelled equally in theatre, television and films – passed away in Mumbai on Friday. She was 75.

She died of a cardiac arrest on Friday morning surrounded by family members and caregivers.

Sikri was ailing for some time having suffered a paralytic stroke in 2018 and a brain stroke in 2020.

A veteran of Hindi theatre, she made her debut in the 1978 political drama film Kissa Kursi Ka and went on to play supporting roles in numerous Hindi and Malayalam films, as well as in Indian soap operas. Sikri has received several awards, including three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award.

Born in Uttar Pradesh, she graduated from National School of Drama (NSD) in 1971. She also won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989.

Sikri won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress thrice, for her roles in Tamas (1988), Mammo (1995) and Badhaai Ho (2018).

She was awarded the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role in 2008 for her work in the primetime soap opera Balika Vadhu and won the Indian Telly Award for 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role' for the same show in 2011.

In addition, she won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989 for her contributions towards Hindi theater.

Her last release Badhaai Ho (2018) got her immense recognition and appreciation from viewers and critics.

She won three awards: the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.