Surekha Sikri was a terrific actor: Shabana Azmi

National Award-winning actor Surekha Sikri passed away today morning due to cardiac arrest. She was 75. A statement shared by the late actress' agent revealed that she was battling complications induced by a second brain stroke. “Three-time National Award winning actress, Surekha Sikri has passed away following a cardiac arrest earlier this morning at the age of 75. She had been suffering from complications arising from a second brain stroke," the actor's agent Vivek Sidhwani said.

In her celebrated acting career, the veteran actress gave compelling performances, a few with acting great Shabana Azmi. The latter told BT, “Surekha Sikri was a terrific actor and has gone away too early. There were roles waiting to come her way. Zoya (Akhtar) cast her in a short film (

Ghost Stories

, 2020) even though she was confined to a wheel chair after a stroke. There was such a demand for her particularly after

Badhaai Ho

. My deepest condolences to her family.”

In 2019, Sikri was honoured with the Best Supporting Actress National Award for Badhaai Ho, marking her third National Award win. In 1988, she won a National Award for Tamas and in 1995 for

Mammo

. Surekha Sikri, graduated from the

National School of Drama

and was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989.