Surekha Sikri's best performances: you need to watch them to know the veteran's body of work

Surekha Sikri's death leaves behind a void in the Indian theatre, film, TV industry that is hard to fill.

A National School of Drama alumnus, Surekha Sikri's body of work is unparalleled. Here's a quick round-up of her best performances that you should check out.

Kissa Kursi Ka | 1978
Surekha Sikri made her debut with 'Kissa Kursi Ka' in 1978. In this political satire, Sikri played Meera, a conniving supporter of a political aspirant. Although her character wasn't exactly on the right side of things, the grey shades of it, won her both critical acclaim and popular applause.

Tamas | 1988
1988 film 'Tamas' based on Bhisham Sahni’s novel of the same name, made Surekha Sikri a household name. She won her first National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Tamas'. The film captured the heart-wrenching impact of the partition on people, and Surekha Sikri's performance as Rajo, stayed with people, long after the film was over.

Mammo | 1994
1994 film 'Mammo', directed by Shyam Benegal, was the first part of his Muslim trilogy, which included 'Sardari Begum' (1996) and 'Zubeidaa' (2001). The film won Surekha Sikri her second National Film Award. She played Fayyuzi, the protagonist's legal guardian, who unexpectedly comes across her long-lost sister Mammo. The film was critically acclaimed and Sikri was praised for a complex portrayal that comfortably balanced nuances of warmth and exasperation.

Sardari Begum | 1996
1996 film 'Sardari Begum' was also directed by Shyam Benegal, where Surekha Sikri played the role of Ittan Bai, the owner of a house where courtesans perform. Even in a very brief role, she ensured that her performance in the film was hard to forget.

Zubeidaa | 2001
With 'Zubeidaa' in 2001, Surekha Sikri proved yet again that she was a seasoned performer, and an actor par excellence. She resumed her role of Fayyuzi, in a film that had other talented actors like Rekha, Rajit Kapur, Karisma Kapoor and Manoj Vajpayee. Audiences felt that Surekha Sikhi didn't need screen time, but just enough screen space to leave a mark.

Badhaai Ho | 2018
Surekha Sikri's performance as the irritable, grumpy but good-at-heart family matriarch in 2018 film 'Badhaai Ho', earned her the third National Film Award of her career. Her edgy dialogues became popular memes after the film's release. With a towering presence in 'Badhaai Ho', Surekha Sikri is definitely one of the most popular grandmothers on celluloid.

Balika Vadhu | TV Series (2008)
Surekha Sikri as Dadisa in TV series 'Balika Vadhu' is easily one of her most memorable roles. The serial dragged on for almost 8 years on TV but it was Dadisa who kept it afloat. Surekha Siri's character evolved through the show, she started out as the tough matriarch who hated Anandi, her grandson's child bride, played by Avika Gor, to moving audiences to tears, later on, standing up for Anandi's rights.