Veteran theatre, film and television actress Surekha Sikri, who was admitted to a local hospital in Mumbai after suffering a stroke on 8 September, has also been diagnosed with fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Dr Ashutosh Shetty, who is treating Sikri, told The Times of India newspaper, “The clot [caused by the stroke] will have to be removed by medicines. But yes, Surekhaji is also in a bit of a confused state of mind. The fluid in her lungs will have to be tapped and sent for analysis."
Dr Shetty said blood thinners had been administered to the actress and would take time to work on the clot. "She speaks, but only one word at a time," he said. "She has had an acute stroke, her responses are faint and slow, and this will take time."
Actor Sonu Sood and some of Sikri's colleagues from the film Badhaai Ho (2018), including actor Gajraj Rao and filmmaker Amit Ravindernath Sharma, have been taking care of her medical expenses.
“Both Amit Sharma, the Badhaai Ho director, and I are in touch with Surekhaji’s secretary Vivek and yes, we are all there with her and we will extend all help we can,” Gajraj Rao told The Times of India.
Sharma said, “I am in Goa, but I have been in touch with her family. I have not spoken to anyone else, but people who are close to her — her family, nurse and manager. I will be doing my best to provide any kind of help that would be needed and I don’t think there would be any financial obstacles in her treatment.”
In reply to a tweet, Sonu Sood assured everyone that Sikri is getting the help she needs. "She is doing fine now and is in able hands," he said. "Thanks for the concern and wishes."
She’s doing fine now and in able hands. Thanks for the concern and wishes 🙏 https://t.co/FwH9hUuP3P
— sonu sood (@SonuSood) September 9, 2020
Earlier reports had suggested that Sikri was not in a position to pay for her treatment. Her manager Vivek Sidhwani has since clarified that she now has enough funds for this purpose. "That was incorrectly put out in the press," he claimed in a conversation with the website Filmfare.com. "Surekhaji has her own finances and the family, including her son, is by her side. There is no need for financial assistance for now."
Ayushmann Khurrana, who starred with Sikri in Badhaai Ho, wished her a speedy recovery on Instagram. “Wish you a speedy recovery ma’am. Always with you,” the star said.
Sikri had earlier suffered a stroke in 2018, soon after the release of Badhaai Ho. The actress received her third National award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.