Minding her step
Post her recent illness, she had to drop out of Faraz Arif Ansari’s upcoming LGBT romance, Sheer Qorma, starring Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta and Swara Bhaskar. “Faraz returned my dates. I felt so bad. I wanted to work with him. He’s such a sensitive guy. I guess I couldn’t fulfil his expectations. Meri chaal dhal badal chuki hai because of the disability,” she says matterof- factly.
She remembers the moment vividly when life took a turn for her. “I got a stroke while I was in Mahableshwar for a shoot. There was a clot in my brain. I was getting ready to eat in my room when my foot slipped as though I had stepped on soap,” she says with a wry laugh.
“I fell on my head hit and hit the furniture. I was found lying on the floor by my director.” Since then it’s been one day at a time for Surekha, who’s determined to get back on her feet.
The tough phase has unearthed several lessons. “It taught me to appreciate myself and my work.” She’s also learnt a thing or two about relationships. “That one must be kind and gentle. I was rough and blunt at times. I have to be guarded in my speech and not hurt people even unintentionally. There were times when I didn’t behave properly. Farz nahin nibhaya rishton ka... I ask forgiveness from all the souls I may have troubled in this lifetime and the past ones. Please forgive me…” she says breaking down. The nurse rushes forward to offer her water. Then getting a hold on herself and her humour she says, “Thank God the interview is not on video!” She looks with affection towards the young nurse and says, “Sister Pinky looks after me well. I’m ever so grateful to have her.”
One day at a time Surekha’s committed to her daily schedule, which involves physiotherapy among other things. She enjoys listening to Punjabi Sufi music. “I find it healing,” she says. She points to Sai Baba’s picture kept in the spiritual corner in the room. “It seems He’s looking straight in your eyes. Such saadgi ( simplicity)! I tell Him aaya kijiye mere khwabon mein.” Food is another thing she’s particular about. “I like a tasty nashta… usually upma or samosa,” she smiles. What also keeps her engaged is watching news. Not many of her colleagues have the time to visit her. “I don’t have complaints. I understand they are busy working round the clock,” she says.
Her recent role in Zoya Akhtar ’s Ghost Stories has won her praise yet again. “It’s a pleasure to work with passionate people. I play Mrs Malik, an old bedridden lady. She’s searching for her son,” she reveals. Surekha believes her best is yet to come but there’s an immediate dream she wants to fulfil. “I want to walk again.” To that I say, “Yes, of course you will.” The smile on her face widens. “When people tell me positive things, I believe God is speaking to me through them.” On a parting note, how would she describe Surekha the person? “I am still tr ying to find myself. I’m getting there dheere dheere…,” she grins. It’s been more than an hour and the nurse reminds her that her khichdi lies unfinished. She resumes eating dheere dheere…