Neena Gupta, Gajaraj Rao Remember Surekha Sikri

Badhaai Ho  was  veteran  actress Surekha Sikri’s last  screen appearance

Amit Sharma’s Badhaai Ho  was  veteran  actress Surekha Sikri’s last  screen appearance. Her  co-stars Neena  Gupta  and  Gajaraj  Rao  in Badhaai Ho  reminisce fondly  about Surekha Sikri.

Says Neena Gupta, “She was my senior at  the National School Drama. We all used to look up to her . She would  work in the  repertory company of  the  NSD  and her work was  always outstanding. I used to  watch  her  closely.  Even during the shooting of  Badhaai Ho  I  would  still observe her acting. There  was so much to learn  from her. She was a great actor and remained  one  till her end.”

Neena  lights up remembering her  shooting with Surekha Sikri. “We had a ball shooting  with her. She was  so much  fun to be with,  so full of life. She used  to  bring her newspaper  to the set every  morning, and would read  it until she was called for a shot. She could talk on any  subject  under the sun. She  was an amazing woman. I am going  to miss her.”

Adds Gajaraj Rao, “Yes  sadly we’ve lost one  of  our  best actors. She was so well-read and such a  sensitive artiste. My experience working with her during Badhaai Ho  was  a very  happy one. She was  not much of  a  talker. She  didn’t  waste her  time in idle chatter. But  during rehearsals before she faced the camera she inspired all of us with her passion and  dedication. Ghazab  ke unka dedication ttha.”

  Gajaraj elaborates  on the  actress’ fierce  commitment to  getting it right.  “She  had lengthy 2-3 page dialogues in  Badhaai Ho. She  was  always  prepared. She  always  remembered  every  dialogue because she  did her homework before coming on  the set. Our director Amit Sharma   filmed 8-9 takes. She  never hesitated  in  doing any number of  takes happily. It was  very inspiring working with her. I am going  to miss her.”