Sulabha Arya

Sulabha Arya, or Sulbha Arya (depends who’s spelling it that day), is basically a staple in Indian entertainment. You’ve seen her—maybe as Kantaben in Kal Ho Naa Ho, that classic scene-stealer, or as Shanti Masi in Sasural Genda Phool on TV. She’s popped up everywhere, honestly. From biggies like Masoom in ’96 to Hera Pheri (who doesn’t know that one?) and even in newer stuff like Ventilator (2016). She just has this way of making every role memorable, even if she’s on screen for, like, two minutes. Arya grew up in Mumbai, typical Maharashtrian household, went to college there, and even taught logic and physics at MVLU College—yup, brains and talent, not just the filmi kind. Before making it on TV and in movies, she was super active in theatre, started with IPTA, and actually ended up running the show there as president for a while. Her debut on television? The sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, way back in 1984. She married cinematographer Ishan Arya (yeah, that’s Irshad Ahsan—filmy families and their name games), and they’ve got two sons: Sameer, who’s behind the camera, and Sagar, who’s in front of it. Sulabha’s pretty much shaped how Indian audiences see the classic ‘ma’ or the comic relief auntie. Her performances feel real, not over-the-top, and you can tell she’s adapted as TV and movies have changed over the years. She’s left a mark—no question about it.