With Parizania, Sarika has been immortalized in annals of Indian Cinema From being a child star in Humraaz to heroine in Geet Gaata Chal to Neelima a character actress in Vidhatta, Sarika has always been applauded as a cute looking kid to a seductive glamour doll. However with Rahul Dholakia’s sensitive movie Parzania, Sarika displayed her histrionics as the traumatic mother hunting her lost son, in the backdrop of communal riots in Gujarat. For the first time audience could see a mindboggling actress in Sarika, who brought out the emotion and pathos of a terrified mother brilliantly on silver screen. The role has immortalized Sarika in the annals of Indian Cinema. Readers would be surprised to know that Sarika has been working for the communal riots affected children for many years. Film director Rahul Dholakia was aware about Sarika’s involvement with communal victims hence he approached her for the role of the character of Shehnaaz, the mother whose kid is missing in the riots. Sarika did perfect justice to the character and poured the right sentiments without going over the role. The effortlessness with which Sarika portrayed the character of Shehnaaz, made it look natural and real on screen! She deservedly won the National Award
Sarika wanted to be a lawyer but was put in front of camera As a child Sarika wanted to be a lawyer but was forced to act in films as she was charming and good looking. Also her parents had separated hence Sarika’s mother decided to use Sarika as the breadwinner of the house. At the tender age of 4 years she pushed young Sarika under the glares of film studio lights much against the wishes of Sarika. Her first film was Humraaz was a huge hit. Soon Sarika began enjoying the film industry and did many films like Majhli Didi, Aashirwad, Satyakam, Balak, Beti etc. Sarika underwent an abusive and agonizing childhood While Sarika acted in films and made money; her shrewd mother, made bank balance and property in her own name instead of Sarika. Little Sarika was not aware about her mother’s evil game plan. Once during shooting her mother reached late on the set. The producer was hurry to go hence he gave Sarika a sum of Rs 1500 for her day’s work and left. Little Sarika was overjoyed and blew-off all the money in eating and enjoyment. But when her mother came to know about the money blown- off, she thrashed Sarika severely and strictly warned all producers to deal only with her. This angered Sarika as she was earning the money and had full right over her wealth. Hence when she turned 18 years old, one day she secretly escaped from her house and went to live in her other house in Mumbai. But to horror she was kicked out of the house as the house was owed by her mother. Sarika was left baffled to know that all her property in Mumbai and other part of India was in the name of her mother and she owed nothing!!! For few days she lived at hotel until she bought a flat for herself.
Sarika underwent trauma even in love life Before Kamal Haasan came in her life Sarika had undergone two love breaks, first an unsuccessful love affair with her childhood friend and co-artist Sachin Pilgaonkar, who also romanced with her in her debut film Geet Gaata Chal. In the 80’s Sarika was attracted with cricket sensation Kapil Dev and the two were seen together at many places. Sarika wanted to marry Kapil Dev, but Kapil Dev got married to Romi. In the mid-80 Sarika did three films with Kamal Haasan viz. Raaj Tilak, Karishmaa (1984) and a guest appearance of Miss India in his South film Tik Tik Tik. While working during these films the two were attracted and Sarika got pregnant with Shruti out of wedlock. But still Kamal did not marry her as he was already married to Vani. Later Sarika became pregnant with her second baby (Akshara). After the birth of two babies, Kamal Haasan married her in 1988.
Sarika continued as heroine and left her imprint Unlike most child actors who find hard to adapt to films once they turned adult, Sarika had no issue as Rajshri Productions decided to cash-on the child star Jodi of Sarika and Sachin into an teenage love story Geet Gaata Chal. However unlike Raj Kapoor’s Bobby which was an urbane love story, Rajshri Production’s made a rural love story with elements spiritualism and Indian culture. The music by Ravindra Jain added glitter making the film super hit. After the success of Geet Gaata Chal, Sarika became a famous actress and gave many hit films. She had the pleasure of working with top filmmakers of India like Gulzar (Devata), Narayana Rao Dasari ( Yeh Kaisa Insaaf and, Jyoti Bane Jwala) , Basu Bhattacharya (Griha Pravesh), Kamal Amrohi (Razia Sultan), Manoj Kumar (Kranti), Rajkumar Kohli ( Jaani Dushman), Subhash Ghai (Vidhaata), Raj N Sippy (Satte Pe Satta), Sagar Films (Pyaara Dushman) etc. Sarika excelled as actress in her second inning After her National Award winning performance in Rahul Dholakia’s sensitive movie Parizania, Sarika started her second inning in Bollywood and excelled as an actress. She won rave reviews for her brilliant performances Bheja Fry (2006), Manorama Six Feet Under, Sacred Evil, Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors, Kaccha Limbu, Society, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Club 60, Purani Jeans, Baar Baar Dekho etc. She also made her foray in TV with Amitabh Bachchan’s show Yudh on Sony TV
| # | Released Date | Type | Credited As | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 Nov 2022 | Film | Uunchai | |
| 2 | 08 Sep 2017 | Film | Mr Kabaadi | |
| 3 | 26 Feb 2016 | Film | Baar Baar Dekho | |
| 4 | 02 May 2014 | Film | Purani Jeans | |
| 5 | 06 Dec 2013 | Film | Club 60 | |
| 6 | 06 Dec 2013 | Film | Bhaag Milkha Bhaag | |
| 7 | 26 Oct 2013 | Film | Society Kaam Se Gayi | |
| 8 | 21 Jun 2013 | Film | David | |
| 9 | 13 Nov 2012 | Film | Jab Tak Hai Jaan | |
| 10 | 06 Jan 2012 | Film | Shoebite |
