Now recognized as one of the leading legends of Indian cinema, the superstar has masterfully maintained his stardom through a series of challenges and triumphs.

An actor's life may seem perfect on screen, but behind the glamor lies a world of hard work, dedication and personal challenges. Today, we are highlighting Sarika, a National Award winning actress, who gave up her childhood to support her family from an early age and showed her resilience and commitment to her craft.

Now recognized as one of the leading veterans of Indian cinema, she has successfully maintained her stardom through countless highs and lows. Her remarkable journey is a testament to her remarkable resilience and unparalleled talent.

Now recognized as one of the leading veterans of Indian cinema, she has successfully maintained her stardom through countless highs and lows. Her remarkable journey is a testament to her remarkable resilience and unparalleled talent.

According to media reports, Sarika became the sole breadwinner for her family at the age of five. As a child artist, she enthralled the audience with several hit films including Majli Didi, Hamraj and Sathyakam. Making her adult debut with Rajshree Productions' Geet Gaata Chal, she rose to stardom at the age of just 15, cementing her place in the industry.

In the late 70s to mid 80s, Sarika rose to fame for her remarkable performances in films. Reports suggest that during this period, she developed an affair with Kamal Haasan, which turned controversial when she became pregnant while still married to Vaani Ganapathi.

The relationship drew considerable criticism and backlash against Sarika. The couple married in 1988 and welcomed two daughters, Shruti in 1986 and Akshara in 1991. However, they separated a few years after Akshara's birth and got divorced in 2004.

In a candid interview, Sarika shared the financial struggles she faced during the lockdown, revealing that she earned less than ₹3,000 from her theater performances. Speaking to News18, she reflected, “When the lockdown hit, the money ran out and I was left with few options. I turned to acting again, but in theater you usually earn Rs 2,000 to 2,700, which is not enough to sustain yourself. The retreat was a very conscious choice for me, thinking it would last a year, but it ended up being five. These five years were really important.