Sushma Seth turns 86: Exploring 5 lesser-known facts about actor
What's the story
Veteran thespian and Indian cinematic stalwart Sushma Seth needs no introduction. Credited with acting in nearly 120 projects, she is best known for playing the roles of mother and grandmother in numerous Bollywood movies. From acting as a voice of reason to playing a vamp, Seth has done it all with panache. As she turns 86, let's explore a few unknown facts about her.
#1
Seth studied in New York
While Seth has made a mark due to her acting prowess, her education credentials are also just as strong. Seth holds a teacher's training diploma in Home Science from Delhi's Lady Irwin College, which she followed up with an Associate in Science diploma from Briarcliff College, New York. Subsequently, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the coveted Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
#2
Her career spans over five decades
Born in 1936, Seth kickstarted her theatrical career in the 1950s. She also co-founded Yatrik, a Delhi-based theater group in 1964. Her Bollywood debut was with Shyam Benegal's Junoon (1978) and later went on to star in blockbusters such as Chandni, Deewana, and Silsila. Interestingly, she has worked with different generations of stars—from Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor to Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta.
#3
Success on television
In her illustrious career, Seth also starred in the daily soap Hum Log (1984-85) where she played the grandmother. Her oeuvre also includes the cult classic Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993-94), in which she was the matriarch of the Diwan family. Soon after, her popularity skyrocketed and her character, which was initially supposed to be written off, ended up being given a longer shelf life!
#4
Community service
In addition to her theatrical and film pursuits, Seth is also a philanthropist and is known for putting her best foot forward on the social front. From 1997 to 2008, she was the Honorary Cultural Director of Arpana, an NGO that trains slum children in Delhi's Alipur and Molarband areas. She has also conducted numerous acting and production-related workshops at Arpana.
#5
Seth is also an author!
A true philomath, Seth has not only delivered awe-inspiring performances on stage and in films and TV shows, but she has also chronicled her journey in her autobiography. Her life narrative came out in the form of Stageplay: The Journey of an Actor (2010). The book covers her early years in theater, work with distinguished luminaries, and a nuanced description of successful stage production.