Sarika Thakur, known mononymously as Sarika, is an Indian actress and costume designer who has worked across Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi cinema.
She was born on 5 December 1960 in New Delhi, India. She is 65 years old.
Thakur is a two-time National Film Award winner in the film industry.
She has received the National Film Award for Best Actress for Parzania (2005) and the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for Hey Ram (2000).
Quick Facts of Sarika Thakur
| Full Name | Sarika Thakur |
| Profession | Actress, Costume Designer |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Date of Birth | 5 December 1960 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Gender | Female |
Sarika Thakur Early Life and Education
Sarika Thakur was born into a family of Marathi and Rajput descent.
Her father abandoned the family when she was very young, leaving her as the primary breadwinner from an early age.
As a result of these financial hardships, she did not attend school.
She entered the film industry as a child actor at the age of 5, with her earliest appearances in the mid-1960s.
Education
Sarika Thakur did not attend the school due to financial problems.
| School | Did not attend the school |
Sarika Thakur Personal Life
Sarika Thakur was previously married to the famous actor Kamal Haasan during the film Karishmaa.
The couple began living together in 1985 and married formally in 1988 after the birth of their first daughter.
They separated in 2002 and were granted a divorce in 2004 after 17 years of marriage.
Since her divorce, Sarika has lived independently in Mumbai and has not remarried.
Family
Sarika was born to a Marathi father, Dinesh (Dilip) Sawant, a medical photographer who worked at J.J. Hospital and a Rajput mother, Kamal Thakur.
She has two daughters from her previous marriage to Kamal Haasan.
One is Shruti Haasan, a popular singer and actress in South Indian cinema, and Akshara Haasan, an actress and assistant director.
| Relationship Status | Divorced / Single |
| Ex-Husband | Kamal Haasan |
| Children | Daughters: Shruti Haasan, Akshara Haasan |
| Parents | Father: Dinesh (Dilip) Sawant Mother: Kamal Thakur |
Sarika Thakur Career
Sarika started her film career as a child actor at the age 5, playing the role of a boy named Master Sooraj in Hindi-language films during the 1960s.
Her most notable and popular appearance as a child artist was in the 1967 musical superhit Hamraaz, where she appeared as the daughter of actress Vimi.
In the early 1970s, she continued to appear in films as a child artist, with roles in Aashirwad (1969), Satyakam (1969), and Haar Jeet (1972)
In 1975, Sarika transitioned into leading-lady roles, starring in the popular Rajshri Productions film Geet Gaata Chal alongside Sachin Pilgaonkar.
In the next few years, she went on to co-star with Sachin Pilgaonkar in multiple Hindi and Marathi films, establishing their pairing as a well-known on-screen duo.
She appeared in Raksha Bandhan, and in 1978, she starred in Anpadh and Devata.
In the same year, she also appeared in Dil Aur Deewaar.
In 1979, she featured in multiple films, including Jaani Dushman alongside Sunil Dutt and Griha Pravesh with Sanjeev Kumar.
In the next year, she appeared in Jyoti Bane Jwala and Nazrana Pyar Ka.
In 1981, she starred in the iconic patriotic film Kranti alongside Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, and Hema Malini.
In the same year, she appeared in Sannata and Paanch Qaidi, consolidating her status as a prominent face of 1980s Hindi cinema.
In 1982, she starred in Vidhaata alongside Dilip Kumar and Sanjay Dutt, playing the role of Neelima.
In the same year, she appeared in Satte Pe Satta alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, as well as in Yeh Vaada Raha.
Next year, she appeared in Razia Sultan alongside Hema Malini and Dharmendra.
In 1984, she acted in several films. She starred in Karishmaa with Kamal Haasan and also appeared in Ram Tera Desh, Raaj Tilak, and Akalmand.
After her marriage to Kamal Haasan in 1988, Sarika moved to Chennai and largely stepped away from acting.
During this period, she channelled her creative energy behind the camera, serving as costume designer, sound designer, and associate director for Kuruthipunal (1995) under Raaj Kamal Films International.
In 1997, she made a brief return to acting in Aakhri Sanghursh.
She did an outstanding job on Kamal Haasan’s Hey Ram in 2000.
Following her divorce in 2004, Sarika made a full comeback.
In 2005, she delivered a career-defining performance in Parzania alongside Naseeruddin Shah, portraying a Zoroastrian mother who loses her child in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Thereafter, she appeared in the film Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow.
Next year, she starred in Sacred Evil: A True Story as Ipsita Ray Chakraverti and had a supporting role in Baabul alongside Amitabh Bachchan.
In 2007, she starred in Bheja Fry alongside Rajat Kapoor and had a significant role in the critically acclaimed thriller Manorama Six Feet Under alongside Abhay Deol.
In 2008, she appeared in Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors and Tahaan.
In the next year, she starred in Yeh Mera India alongside Anupam Kher.
In 2012, Sarika returned to mainstream Hindi cinema with a strong supporting role in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Next year, she appeared in Club 60 alongside Farooq Sheikh and had a special appearance in David.
In 2014, she appeared in Purani Jeans alongside Ali Zafar.
In the same year, she made her television debut in Sony TV’s Yudh, playing Gauri Sekhar opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a seven-episode arc.
In 2016, she appeared in Baar Baar Dekho alongside Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra.
In the following year, she acted in the film Mr Kabaadi, where she played the role of Chandni.
In 2022, she appeared in the ensemble drama Uunchai alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, and Parineeti Chopra, portraying Mala Trivedi.
In the same year, she starred in the OTT anthology Modern Love: Mumbai as Dilbar and appeared in the web series Respect.
Sarika Thakur Upcoming Film Projects
Sarika is set to appear in the upcoming film Hum Hindustani alongside Saif Ali Khan and Pratik Gandhi, which is currently in post-production.
Sarika Thakur Awards and Achievements
Sarika has received several prestigious awards and honours across her career.
- Filmfare Award Nomination – Best Supporting Actress (1980): Nominated for her performance in Grihapravesh.
- Filmfare Award Nomination – Best Supporting Actress (1982): Nominated for her performance in Sharda.
- National Film Award for Best Costume Design (2000): Won for her costume design work on Hey Ram.
- National Film Award for Best Actress (2005): Won for her portrayal of a grieving Zoroastrian mother in Parzania.
- BIG Star Entertainment Award – Most Entertaining Actor in a Social Role (Female) (2013): Won for Club 60.
- Indian Television Academy Award Nomination – Best Actress Drama (OTT) (2023): Nominated for Modern Love: Mumbai.
Sarika Thakur Controversies
Sarika mostly stayed away from controversial issues. However, there are controversies regarding her marriage, legal, and financial troubles.
- Relationship Controversy (1980s): Sarika’s relationship with Kamal Haasan attracted significant public backlash, as the affair began while Haasan was still married to dancer Vani Ganapathy. Sarika faced severe media criticism and was labelled disparagingly in the press. Despite the controversy, she went on to marry Kamal Haasan in 1988, after Vani and Kamal’s divorce was finalised.
- Property Dispute After Divorce (2004): Following her divorce from Kamal Haasan, Sarika discovered that five flats purchased with her earnings had been sold by her mother to household servants. She filed a legal case to reclaim her properties but was unable to recover them, leaving her in serious financial difficulty during that period.
Sarika Thakur Net Worth
Sarika Thakur’s net worth is ₹20 crore, and her charges per film are yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | ₹20 crore |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Sarika Thakur Height, Weight and Physical Stats
The following are Sarika’s physical appearances:
| Height | In centimetres: 161 cm In meters: 1.61 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 3 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 60 kg In lbs: 132 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 32-25-38 |
| Hair Color | Black (greying with age) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Interesting Facts about Sarika Thakur
- She is one of the few Indian actresses to win two separate National Film Awards — one for acting (Parzania, 2005) and one for costume design (Hey Ram, 2000).
FAQs
Who is Sarika Thakur?
Sarika Thakur, known professionally as Sarika, is a national award-winning Indian actress and costume designer. She has appeared in over a hundred films across a career spanning more than five decades.
How old is Sarika Thakur?
Sarika Thakur was born on 5 December 1960 in New Delhi, India. She is 65 years old.
What was Sarika’s first film?
She began her career as a child artist in the mid-1960s, with her most notable early appearance in the 1967 musical Hamraaz alongside Sunil Dutt and Raaj Kumar.
Which film gave Sarika her biggest recognition?
Her comeback performance in Parzania (2005) earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. She was also widely praised for her work in Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012).
Is Sarika Thakur married?
Sarika was previously married to actor Kamal Haasan. They married in 1988 and divorced in 2004. She has not remarried since.
Who are Sarika Thakur’s children?
Sarika has two daughters with Kamal Haasan: Shruti Haasan, a popular singer and actress in Tamil and Telugu cinema, and Akshara Haasan, an actress and former assistant director.
What are Sarika Thakur’s upcoming projects?
Sarika is set to appear in Hum Hindustani, which is currently in post-production.
