Filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari (who uses the pronouns they/them) are devastated by veteran actor Surekha Sikri’s demise.

The two had collaborated on Ansari’s web directorial, Dulha Wanted and got to know each other well on the sets of the series. “She played the daadi in the show, and unlike any other daadi, she played mafia songs and talked about polygamy. I lost my daadi early in my life. So I wanted to recreate that for myself. Surekha ji was my first choice and thankfully she agreed,” they recall and add that they will cherish their “deep friendship”.

The filmmaker reveals that the two shared a love for ittar (a fragrant essential oil). Sikri liked the one Ansari wore so much that she wanted it too, and that’s how their bond strengthened. “It was not a director-actor relationship. She called me her ‘humraaz’ (confidante). I brought her ittar from every part of the world I visited,” reminisces the Sheer Qorma maker and adds that she was bedridden before they started shooting for the short film. “I told her that she needs to rest and not be stubborn to come and shoot. She replied, ‘No, this is your film. I need to be there. Main wheelchair par aaungi’,” shares Ansari.

Eventually, Sikri couldn’t manage to shoot, and the director decided to change the screenplay. “I wrote the role with her in mind. I don’t think anyone else could have done it,” they assert.

The last time Ansari met the late actor, they recall, her body had given up, but her soul was fighting.“We held hands and sat. While I was leaving, she said, ‘Abke bichhde toh shayad khwabon mein milen’,” Ansari breaks down.