The nation was left delighted after the 66th National Film Awards were announced on August 9, 2019. With great actors like Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana and highly entertaining and well-deserved films like Badhaai Ho and AndhaDhun winning big, one name that took us by a pleasant surprise was of the veteran actress Surekha Sikri. Surekhaji took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for Badhaai Ho. The actress, known for her acting finesse, post giving a role to remember has suddenly gone missing from the public appearance of late. As this absence continued to bother her fans, the actress, during an interview with a leading daily after the National Award win, revealed that she currently in the hospital, recovering from a brain stroke that hit her around ten months ago. Surekhaji also added that owing to the illness, she hasn't signed any new project.
“I had a brain stroke ten months ago and I have been recovering since then. I fell down and hit my head in the bathroom while shooting in Mahableshwar. I have not been able to work due to my illness. The doctors say that I will be alright soon,” Surekhaji told during the interview. Recently, Surekhaji was visited by her Balika Vadhu co-star Shashank Vyas, who shared a picture of Dadisa on his Instagram account.
Speaking about her win, Dadisa aka Surekhaji said she is celebrating at the hospital itself and is very happy at heart and has been meeting friends and family members since then. “Celebration toh yahi hai that I am very happy in my heart. I have been meeting my friends and family,” she added. “I think, it should have won the Best Screenplay Award as well as the script is the king and today content rules. The film has a family drama with a universal appeal. Bahut gharon mein relationships kuch aise hi hote hai. I am humbled that kuch logon ne mujhe is laayak samjha to give me an award. I am quite thrilled. I realised so many people love me and it is because of Badhaai Ho, I think,” the actress told as she spoke about Badhaai Ho and her character in the film.
This National Award isn't the first for Surekhaji. She has previously taken home awards for Tamas (1988) and Mammo (1995). She is also the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989 for her contribution to Hindi theatre. Badhaai Ho, directed by Amit Sharma, featured Ayushmann, Gajraj Rao, Sanya Malhotra and Neena Gupta in central roles. Surekhaji played Ayushmann's grandmother in the film which released on October 18, 2018.
(Source: Hindustan Times/Instagram)
