Sarika
Indian actress and costume designer, winner of two National Film Awards.
Sarika Thakur, known simply as Sarika, is an Indian actress and costume designer. She earned the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the English-language film *Parzania*, and previously won the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for *Hey Ram*.
Born on 5 December 1960 in New Delhi to a family of Marathi and Rajput heritage, Sarika’s father left the family when she was very young, making her the primary earner. She never attended school. Her film career began at age five, when she played a boy named Master Sooraj in Hindi films during the 1960s. Her most recognized child role came in 1967 with the musical hit *Hamraaz*, where she appeared as baby Saarika, daughter of the character Vimi. She acted in many children’s movies before moving on to films like Rajshri Productions’ *Geet Gaata Chal* alongside Sachin, with whom she worked in several Hindi and Marathi films.
After separating from her husband, Sarika returned to Hindi cinema. She played Ipsita Ray Chakraverti in *Sacred Evil – A True Story*, which did not succeed at the box office. In 2000, she won the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for *Hey Ram*. Her performance in *Parzania*, portraying a Zoroastrian woman who loses her child during the 2002 Gujarat riots, earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Critic Khalid Mohamed wrote in the *Hindustan Times* that she was “marvelously restrained and lifelike, making you care for Parzania straight from the heart.”
She starred as Sheetal Thadani in *Bheja Fry* (2006), playing Rajat Kapoor’s wife, and had a small but significant part in *Manorama Six Feet Under*. Her latest film, *Shoebite*, opposite Amitabh Bachchan, has been delayed in production. Sarika made her television debut on Sony TV’s *Yudh*, which also starred Amitabh Bachchan. Beyond acting, she worked as costume designer, sound designer, and associate director for *Kuruthipunal* (1995) under Raaj Kamal Films International.
In her personal life, Sarika lived with actor Kamal Haasan from 1985, marrying after the birth of their first child, Shruti (born 1986), who became a singer and actress in Tamil and Telugu cinema. Their younger daughter, Akshara (born 1991), works as an assistant director and actress.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1960-12-05
- Birth Place
- New Delhi, India
- Years Active
- 1967—present
- Birth Name
- Sarika Thakur
- Occupation
- Actress · Costume designer
- Children
- Shruti Haasan / Akshara Haasan
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Sarika began her film career as a child actor at age five, playing the role of a boy named Master Sooraj in Hindi films during the 1960s. Her most notable child appearance was in the 1967 musical hit Hamraaz, where she played the daughter of Vimi named baby Saarika. She later starred in many Hindi and Marathi films with Sachin, including Rajshri Productions' Geet Gaata Chal. After separating from her husband, she made a comeback in Hindi films, playing Ipsita Ray Chakraverti in Sacred Evil – A True Story. She won the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for Hey Ram (2000) and the National Film Award for Best Actress for Parzania, in which she portrayed a Zoroastrian woman who loses her child during the 2002 riots of India. She also appeared in Bheja Fry (2006) as Sheetal Thadani and had a role in Manorama Six Feet Under. Her television debut was in Sony TV's Yudh, starring Amitabh Bachchan. Beyond acting, she served as costume designer, sound designer and associate director for Kuruthipunal (1995).
Reader's Guide
Sarika's career spans child stardom, a hiatus, and a critically acclaimed return, marked by two National Film Awards in different categories—Best Costume Design for Hey Ram and Best Actress for Parzania. Her performance in Parzania, described by critic Khalid Mohamed as 'marvelously restrained and lifelike,' brought attention to her dramatic range. Her work as a costume designer for Hey Ram, under Raaj Kamal Films International, demonstrated her versatility. Her personal life, including her marriage to actor Kamal Haasan and their daughters' careers in the film industry, adds to her legacy. Her delayed film Shoebite, opposite Amitabh Bachchan, remains unreleased. Sarika's ability to transition between acting and technical roles, and her recognition by the National Film Awards, solidify her place in Indian cinema.
Did You Know?
- Sarika started her film career as a child actor at age five, playing a boy named Master Sooraj.
- She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for the English-language film Parzania (2005).
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