Veteran and versatile Bollywood actor Sridevi passed away on Saturday night after a massive cardiac arrest, confirmed her brother-in-law Film star Sanjay Kapoor. “Yes, it is true that Sridevi passed away. It happened roughly around 11.00-11.30 pm.”
Sridevi was reportedly with her husband Film maker Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi at the time of death. They were with the entire Kapoor family in UAE to attend the wedding ceremony of their relative Mohit Marwah. Actor Sridevi died of “accidental drowning”, a forensic report has said so far, Dubai newspapers reported on Monday evening. Sridevi’s sudden death leaves Bollywood and the entire nation in deep shock and millions of fans heartbroken.
An autopsy was conducted earlier yesterday and the police have handed the report over to the family and the Indian consulate, news agency ANI reported. The Khaleej Times quoted family sources to report that Boney Kapoor, waiting to take Sridevi out to dinner, found her motionless in the bathtub of her room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Boney Kapoor had returned to Mumbai with their daughter but had flown back to Dubai reportedly to surprise his wife.
A medical team failed to revive her. The family said Sridevi did not have any history of heart ailments.
According to ANI, Sridevi’s mortal remains are expected to be brought from Dubai to Mumbai via a Private Jet tonight. Her last rites will be performed in Mumbai tomorrow. TV News reports said that the body will reach around 10.30 pm (IST) in Mumbai and will be taken to the Sridevi’s residence in Andheri West.
Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, Sridevi worked in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films before entering Hindi films. She started acting in the late 1960s, but her performance in Malayalam film Poombata (1971) won her the state award for best child artist.
Sridevi made her Bollywood debut as a child artist in Julie (1975). Her first adult role was at the age of 13 in Tamil film Moondru Mudichu (1976). Sridevi went on to become one of the biggest female stars India ever had.
The government of India awarded her Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, in 2013. Her most remarkable films include Sadma, Chandni, Himmatwala, ChaalBaaz, Mr India, Nagina, Mawali, Tohfa and Gumrah among others. After working in Judaai, she took a 15-year break from movies only to be back to winning hearts in her second innings with English Vinglish in 2012. She was last seen in 2017 film MOM.
Sridevi passing has left a gaping hole in Indian cinema. The actor’s last film appearance will be in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Zero hopefully that will be released in December this year. Celebrities have started dropping in at Film Star and her brother-in-law Anil Kapoor’s residence to offer their condolences.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to share his condolences. “She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances. My thoughts are with her family and admirers in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace.”
Sridevi is survived by Boney Kapoor and two daughters – Janhvi and Khushi. She was Boney’s second wife.
The Indian film fraternity has been shaken by the unexpected tragedy. Hundreds have gathered outside Sridevi’s Mumbai home, hoping for a final glimpse.
A stream of stars, former co-stars and others were seen at the house of Anil Kapoor, the younger brother of Boney Kapoor.
Sridevi began working at the age of four and, in a career spanning five decades, acted in 300 films.
> Pratyusha Mukherjee
Sridevi's Shock Death: Further Details Announced
