The new face of terror!-Article[Surekha Sikri]

The new face of terror!

In conversation Surekha Sikri has given mother-in-law a new meaning, writes ANUJ KUMAR

Lalita Pawar is OUT! Surekha Sikri in "Ballika Vadhu" Television is replete with snarling mothers-in-law. But since Surekha Sikri has taken stage, as the hard-nosed Dadi-sa in "Ballika Vadhu", others seem to be innocuous overdressed ladies. Result, the series has become the number one show o n TV. Riding on its success, Colors has become number two in the general entertainment segment, which is seeing some real cut throat competition these days.

A veteran of art-house cinema, with two National Film Awards and a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award to her credit, Sikri agrees the role has overshadowed all her past performances in terms of sheer popularity or notoriety! "Right people have always noticed my work, but this is the first time that the masses are appreciating my work," says Sikri.

Among these right people, Shyam Benegal tops her list, as she has always been a usual suspect in his cast! In fact, she won her second National Award for the best actress in a supporting role for Benegal's Mammo. "He draws the maximum out of me."

She got her second National Award for Tamas, but after the touching performance, she was hardly seen on the small screen. "When television lost touch with literature and inanity descended, I decided to avoid the medium, but I couldn't say no to 'Ballika Vadhu', because after a long time I got a script where I could showcase my potential as an actor."

Opportunity is the key

An NSD graduate, Sikri holds opportunity is a big word in the entertainment medium. "Your talent is useless, unless you get a role. The bottom line is script is the backbone of any performance. I can make a character layered, as people say Dadi sa is, only if script gives me an opportunity to be vulnerable and arrogant at the same time. I am fortunate that I got to play all I wanted in theatre; otherwise it is quite frustrating for an actor. "

But it seems good times are back for actors. Naseeruddin Shah has again become a name to reckon with at the box office. And Sikri is holding fort on television. She gives in for a hearty laugh.

"The advantage with actors is they never age. Hum lambi race ke ghode hain. Stars fizzle out within a few years." Sikri holds what makes Dadi-sa special is it is not an out and out negative character.

"She has a viewpoint, it may be old fashioned or traditional but at the same time she is protective of her sons and at times even daughters-in-law. It makes her real. I am not from Rajasthan, but over the years I have seen and read about such characters. They are amidst us. It helped me as an actor because such people and their behaviour are there in your sub conscience."

As for how much she associates with Dadi-sa, Sikri says, "See, I love to play characters which are true to themselves. It helps me in making them convincing. Beyond that it is all script." She is all praise for young Avika Gaur, who is playing the title role. Some cynics have found her an actress with a single expression, but Surekha begs to differ. "She is too young to bring in the layering. For her age, she is quite expressive. Give her a chance, she will excel."

Influential!

Still isn't it a role which could influence people of Dadi-sa's age-group, old-fashioned, traditional…in the long run? "I don't really know, but it is a possibility. In serials, since the negativity is allowed to play for a much longer period of time in comparison to films, it could influence people."

As always, the industry is now after her to cash in the popularity, but Sikri knows the tricks of the trade too well. "I will not give in. Right now there is no time, either. A daily soap takes away seven-eight hours a day."

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Source : https://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/11/17/stories/2008111750380100.htm

Thank you for the article.. she is a true talent!