One of the cutest faces of Indian cinema, TV, and theatre, Sushma Seth is a feisty performer, known for completely owning every role she played. Over the years she mesmerised the audience in films like Prem Rog (1982), Tawaif (1985), Nagina (1986), Chandni (1989), Heer Ranjha (1992), In Custody (1993), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), and TV series like Hum Log, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Amma and Family, Kash-m-Kash, and many more.
Early Life and Career
Sushma Seth was born on June 20, 1936, in Delhi, India. Her early education was completed at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in New Delhi. A school known for its emphasis on academic excellence and cultural activities gave her a strong foundation. After her schooling, Seth pursued a teacher’s training diploma in home science from Lady Irwin College, New Delhi.
She earned an Associate in Science diploma from Briarcliff College, New York. She then get a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, United States.
First Love – Theatre
Sushma Seth’s theatre career is a remarkable journey that began in the late 1950s, long before she became a household name in Indian cinema and television. Her love for the stage led her to become one of the founding members of the Delhi-based theatre group “Yatrik” in 1964, along with Joy Michael, Rati Bartholomew, Roshan Seth, and Marcus Murch.
The group ‘Yatrik’ was a crucible of creativity and collaboration, where Seth honed her skills as an actress and a director. She immersed herself in various aspects of theatre production, from acting to directing and even managing the costumes and ticket sales. She also founded the Children’s Creative Theatre in the 1970s, running workshops for kids.
Sushma Seth On Stage
Seth’s repertoire of roles is as diverse as it is impressive. She took on lead roles in plays such as “Ek Chadar Maili Si,” where she played Rano, and “The Taming of the Shrew,” where she portrayed Katharina. Her directorial ventures were equally notable, with plays like “Desire Under the Elms” and “Gandhiji’s Sadhna” under her belt.
In her long and illustrous theatre career, Seth worked with some of the best directors of her time, including Joy Michael, Habib Tanveer, Sai Paranjpye, and Rajindernath.
Her roles as Champa in ‘Sakharam Binder‘ and as Gurdafarid, the warrior princess in ‘Rustam Sohrab‘, showcased her versatility and depth as an actress. Seth’s theatre career is a proof of her immense talent. Her unwavering commitment to the stage left resulted in countless iconic performances.
Some of her other plays include All the King’s Men, The Government Inspector, Gogol, Hotel Paradiso, The Little Hut, Saleeb Per Mariam, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, Blood Wedding, The Italian Straw Hat , A flea in her Ear, Desire Under the Elms, Gandhiji’s Sadhana, Hedda Gabler, Arms & the Man, Mixed Doubles, Sabrina Fair, The Dancing Donkey, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Man of Destiny, Lehron Ke Rajhans, Panje, Natak Polampur Ka, Shatranj Ke Mohre, The Good Woman of Sezuan, A Phoenix Too Frequent and many more.
Sushma Seth On Screen
Seth made her film debut rather late in life; her first film was Shyam Benegal‘s period drama in Junoon (1978). She followed it by punjabi film Chann Pardesi (1980), Shyam Benegal’s Kalyug (1981), Yash Chopra’s Silsila (1981), Dev Anand’s Swami Dada (1982), Raj Kapoor’s Prem Rog (1982), Rajkumar Kohli’s Naukar Biwi Ka (1983), Ramanand Sagar’s Salma (1985), and many more.
In 1985, she acted in B.R. Chopra’s “Tawaif,” where she earned a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. The same year, she acted in Raj Kapoor’s Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).
She continues to portray motherly figures in iconic films such as Faasle (1985), Alag Alag (1985), Palay Khan (1986), Nagina (1986), Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986), Janbaaz (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Avam (1987), Waaris (1988), Suryaa: An Awakening (1989), Gharana (1989), Bade Ghar Ki Beti (1989), Toofan (1989), Chandni (1989), Jawani Zindabad (1990), Ajooba (1991), Heer Ranjha (1992), Deewana (1992), Bol Radha Bol (1992), Dil Aashna Hai (1992), In Custody (1993), 1942: A Love Story (1993), Daag: The Fire (1999), Taal (1999), Chal Mere Bhai (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Student Of The Year (2012), Tamasha (2015), Noor (2017), and many more.
Sushma Seth On TV
Beyond the silver screen, Seth’s contributions to television have been pioneering. Sushma Seth gained immense love for her role of Dadi Imarti Devi, in Hum Log, India’s first soap opera. Aired on Doordarshan from July 7, 1984, to December 17, 1985, the series ran for 156 episodes. She portrayed a grandmother battling throat cancer, bringing authenticity to the character through her nuanced performance. The show, addressed family dynamics and social issues. Sushma’s depiction of Dadi’s strength and vulnerability resonated with viewers, making her a household name. The series’ success led to an extended run, a rare occurrence, reflecting its cultural impact.
Following Hum Log, Sushma continued to contribute to television with diverse roles. She played Sarla Diwan in Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993-1994), a popular sitcom on DD Metro. She appeared in Kaun (1999), a thriller, and Vansh, a family drama, both on Doordarshan. In Miilee (2006), she took on a supporting role, showcasing her versatility. Some of her other serials include Qaid (1985), Ret Par Likhe Naam (1984), Kaun (1987), Yeh Hui Na Baat (1990), Aradhana 1990), Alibaba (1991), Vansh (1995), Kash-m-Kash (1997), Tanha (1997), Dard ka Rishta (2014) and many more.
Later Work
Seth is working with the NGO “Arpana” for a long time. Over the years she directed and wrote plays and dance dramas to support their initiatives. One off her most memorable play is “Sitaron Ke Pass” inspired by the life of astronaut Kalpana Chawla. For Arpana, she directed plays like Raja Mange Pasina, Khilonon Ki Dukan (2000), Gopal Bhaiya (2005), Ken Upanishad (2006), Shabri (2007), Tasher Desh (2012), and many more. She won the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023
Seth married businessman Dhruv Seth, in the 1960s. Together they have three children Kavi, Priya and Divya Seth. Divya, a renowned actress, starred with her in Hum Log and Dekh Bhai Dekh. Seth is the elder sister of renowned Manipuri dancer Charu Sija Mathur.
Basu Bhattacharya on IMDB
