One of the most recognisable faces of Indian TV and films, Sulbha Arya is known as a powerful and versatile actress who has made significant contributions to Hindi and Marathi films, television, and stage. Some of her famous roles came in films like “Koyla,” “Masoom,” “Koi… Mil Gaya,” and “Kal Ho Naa Ho,” as well as serials like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Palash Ke Phool, Tumhare Liye, Kirdaar, Piya Ka Ghar, and many more.
Early Life and Career
Sulbha Arya was born on July 15, 1950, in Bombay. She started her acting career in theatre and joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) at the age of 17. Sulbha went on to act in many plays like “Khalid Ki Khala,” “Biwi o Biwi,” “Chaubees Ghante,” “Ek Aur Dronacharya,” “Kashmakash,” and “Sisakte Armaan,” among others. She also served as the president of IPTA Mumbai. Sulabha was also a teacher of logic and physics at MVLU College, Mumbai.
In Films
Sulbha Arya made her screen debut with a guest appearance in “Zindagi Aur Toofan (1975),” followed by Ek Swaal Munni Ka and Lorrie in 1984. She played Mithun Chakraborty’s mom in Mumesh Mehra’s Avinash (1986). She also worked in Jalal Agha‘s critically acclaimed “Goonj (1989),” starring Kumar Gaurav and Juhi Chawla.
Her role in “Masoom (1996)” earned her the Screen Award for Best Comedian. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Kantaben in the 2003 film “Kal Ho Naa Ho.”
Some of her other notable films include Vivek (1985), Joshilaay (1989), Goonj (1989), Mujrim (1989), Daddy (1989), Diksha (1991), Jaanam (1992), Damini (1993), Dushmani (1995), Tere Mere Sapne (1996), Daraar (1996), Prem Granth (1996), Mohabbat (1997), Koyla (1997), Udaan (1997), Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), Hello Brother (1999), Hera Pheri (2000), Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005), Kyon Ki… (2005), Halla Bol (2008), Yuvvraaj (2008), Nautanki Saala (2013), Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013), A Rainy Day (2014), Action Jackson (2014), Ventilator (2016), Simmba (2018), Cirkus (2022) and many more
Sulbha Arya On TV
In 1984 She began her television journey with Kundan Shah’s iconic sitcom “Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi” in 1984. It was one of the first sitcoms in Indian television history. The serial starring Rakesh Bedi, Satish Shah, Swaroop Sampat, and Shafi Inamdar was the rage in its time.
She also appeared in iconic shows like Wagle Ki Duniya (1988), Lifeline (1991), Ye Duniya Gazab Ki (1992), Log Kiya Kahengay (1993), The Maharaja’s Daughter (1994), Amravati Ki Kathayein (1994), Raj Kahani (1997), Hip Hip Hurray (1998), and Mitti Ke Rang (1999).
Some of her other serials include Muskaan (1999), Star Bestsellers (1999), Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye (2001), Dil Kya Chahta Hai (2005), Piya Ka Ghar (2002), Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka (2007), Aathvaan Vachan (2008), Detective Wagle (2012), The Final Call (2019), Badlegi Duniya Ki Reet (2021), and Sridevi Prasanna (2024), among others.
Personal Life
Sulabha met renowned producer and cinematographer Irshad Ahsan while working for IPTA. They fall in love, get married, and adopt the names Sulabha and Ishan Arya. Ishan was the nephew of veteran actress Shaukat Kaifi and the first cousin of Shabana Azmi. Together, they have two sons, Sameer Arya, a cinematographer, and Sagar Arya, an actor.
Sulbha Arya on IMDB
