Surekha Sikri Wins Her Third National Award, For Badhaai Ho

Actor Surekha Sikri has won her third National Award, this time for the film Badhaai Ho, proving yet again how age is just a number. The septuagenarian has previously won National Awards for her roles in films Tamas (1988) and Mammo (1995). Incidentally, just like for Badhaai Ho, Sikri has won the National Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actress these two films too. The veteran actor has yet again proved that age is indeed just a number, and how an artist’s skill only gets sharper and classier with passing years.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Surekha Sikri has won a National Award for Best Supporting Actress.
• The veteran has won it for her role in popular Hindi film Badhaai Ho.
• Even in the eighth decade of her life, Sikri's hunger to give her best can put any young actor to shame.
• Women shouldn't stop dreaming or putting their best foot forward just because they are over a certain age.

The veteran actor has yet again proved that age is indeed just a number, and how an artist’s skill only gets sharper and classier with passing years.

The film industry and cinemagoers haven’t been fair to Sikri and her skills, just like they haven’t been to hundreds of other talented actors over decades. Reduced to side roles with practically nothing to chew on, these actors often find recognition in the theatre circuit or what is known as ‘arthouse films.’ In the mainstream industry, the screen space was, and still largely remains reserved for charisma, beauty and popularity. Often actors have to move to other avenues for not just recognition, but a decent paycheck. Which is why, if you haven’t seen Sikri’s work in films like Naseem, Sardari Begum, Hari Bhari, Zubeidaa, Kali Salwar and of course Tamas and Mammo, there is a chance that you may only know her from popular television soaps like Banegi Apni Baat, Just Mohabbat  and Balika Vadhu, which made her a household name. This was of course before Badhaai Ho happened.

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Which brings us to her performance in the film for which Sikri has one the National Award this year. One only has to see the opening sequence of Badhai Ho to realise that Sikri would be a livewire throughout. There is this hunger and raw energy in her performance. Even in the eighth decade of her life, Sikri's enthusiasm throughout the film, to give her best, can put any young actor to shame. With this performance, Sikri has proved why age is indeed just a number.

To simply not do what your heart desires, or to not put your best foot forward because you are well past a certain age is a disservice to your skills and yourself.

The recognition and love Sikri has received for her work in Badhaai Ho should inspire us to stop looking at our age before dreaming. You can become an entrepreneur in your forties, you can climb the highest peaks in the world in your fifties, you can take up modeling in your sixties. To simply not do what your heart desires, or to not put your best foot forward because you are well past a certain age is a disservice to your skills and yourself. But often women smother their dreams prematurely because age brings intense scrutiny their way.

Something as simple as wearing bright colours or prioritising passion over professional and personal life earns them criticism. ‘You are too old for this,’ we are told and we listen. We begin to ‘act’ according to our age and follow the path of life that society wants us to, and not what we want. It could tell you to not switch careers in your forties or to not act in films and retire for your own good. But then happiness and success only come to those who prioritise their will over other’s voice.

Women’s battle with ageism is old and for every age-related stereotype we break, two more rear their head to challenge us. It could be exhausting if you look at it as a battle. But if you look at it as living your life on your terms, it’ll only bring you joy. Do what you have to, and eventually, the world will only shower you with praise.

Image Credit: Junglee Pictures/YouTube

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Yamini Pustake Bhalerao is a writer with the SheThePeople team, in the Opinions section. The views expressed are the author’s own.