Bollywood and television actress Surekha Sikri breathed her last this morning as she suffered a cardiac arrest. She was 75. The three-time national award-winning actress had been suffering from complications arising from a second brain stroke since some time.
A while back, we spoke to the late actress' Balika vadhu co-star Shashank Vyas, who shared with us some really thoughtful notes about her. And now, we bring to you what her other co-actors like Smita Bansal, Anup Soni, Roop Durgapal, Mahhi Vij have to say about the talent powerhouse.
Roop Durgapal, who essayed the character of Sanchi told SpotboyE.com, "It took me a while to realize that it has actually happened. I knew she was unwell for some time but her death has shaken me completely. Surekha Ma'am was an institution in itself and I have some great memories on-sets. I am still not able to process it. For now, I can just say, 'May her soul rest in peace.'"
Mahhi Vij who entered the show very late as Dr. Nandini Shekhar but did get a chance to interact with Surekha Sikri, says, "I met her only once on the set of Balika Vadhu but I feel lucky to have shared screen space with her. It's really sad to learn that she is not with us."
Bhairavi Raichura who played Anandi's mother in the show told us, "I was extremely shocked to hear about her demise. I couldn't believe it. She was the finest actress I have worked with and there was so much to learn from her. I still remember the moment- it was January 2 and my first scene in that year. After doing the scene with her I actually went and touched her feet to give me a blessing to do good as an actor. The industry has lost one of the finest actors. It is a big loss."
Meanwhile, Mahima Makwana who essayed the role of the Gauri in the show said, "I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the Veteran actress Surekha Ji at the initial stage of my career, back in Balika Vadhu. There was so much to learn from her even by observing her perform. Today, she is no more with us. But her legacy lives on. May her soul rest in peace."
In some great contributions to the industry, Surekha Sikri played the path-breaking character of Kalyani Devi in one of the longest-running shows Balika Vadhu. Surekha's death has definitely left her onscreen family from the show numb.
Image source: Instagram/mahima_makwana/roop_durgapal/mahhivij