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The last mile of Sridevi: An insider account on what transpired in the last 24 hours

After Hrs Editor Meena Iyer brings you an insider report on what transpired in the last 24 hours — from the time Sridevi’s mortal remains arrived till her funeral — and reminisces about the past

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(Clockwise from left) Sridevi; The actress’ residence — Green Acres at Lokhandwala, Andheri; and Fans thronging to get a glimpse of Sridevi on her final journey
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A section of the media didn’t give Sridevi the privacy she craved for. Some turned her untimely and sad demise into a circus. However, I was glad that in the end, she still exited like a queen with full honours. When I stood in a corner, staring at the tamasha outside her residence — Green Acres in Andheri — late on Tuesday night, I heard sobs from many. That I guess is the real measure; when the aam aadmi cries with you, you have the vote.

The security cordon’s plea was understandable. Some insiders repeatedly said, ‘Tonight, it’s her family’s time with her.

Outsiders must come to the Celebration Club tomorrow morning to pay their last respects.’  I’m sure Sri would have been smiling. The Kapoor khandaan, whose love she craved for, was there in full force. Each one was contributing in their own way to make her last journey memorable.

WHEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS STEPPED IN…

Poonam (who is the cousin of Anil Kapoor’s wife, Sunita and stays in Bandra) decorated Green Acres with flowers. The servants, I am told, were moist-eyed. In her lifetime, Sri said little to them but they still couldn’t bear the silence of her death. Despite the perfect decoration, a pall of gloom loomed large.

The crowd outside the building was sad. Of course, it got boisterous when Salman Khan arrived. I realised that even a sombre occasion can never dictate the mood of a mob. Salman’s presence created a stir just like it does every time he makes a public appearance.

Anil Ambani, the newest relative of the Kapoor family (his niece, Antara Motiwala, married Boney’s nephew, Mohit Marwah, on February 20 in Dubai) took charge like he always does. And his arrangements were perfect. Earlier, the prayer meetings, which he had organised for Amitabh Bachchan’s mother, Teji Bachchan, and Karan Johar’s dad, Yash Johar, had gone like clockwork. No celebrity attending the function had to wait for their car for longer than a few minutes and no chappals went missing.

Here, too, the industrialist planned everything meticulously. He sent his 13-seater private jet to Dubai to bring back Sri’s mortal remains. Once his plane arrived in Mumbai, the diva’s immediate family like Anil and Sunita Kapoor got to see her at the green corridor itself. As Sridevi’s body was taken from the airport to her residence, he was in one of the first cars, ensuring that everything went smoothly.

Aditya Chopra’s company (Yash Raj Films) was in charge of making sure that everything was in place at a  crematorium near Pawan Hans in Vile Parle. Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, who have adopted Sridevi’s elder daughter, Janhvi as their own, silently and diligently ran through every other detail, including security.

At her home, the people closest to the family kept a vigil through the night. A devastated Boney was consoled, but his grief knew no respite.

Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra, who was a good friend of Sri’s, decorated the Celebration Club. “Flowers worth lakhs adorned the pandal, exactly the way ‘Ma’am (that is what everyone called Sridevi) would have wanted it,” said a source.

The mourners were dignified. Hema Malini was easily one of the most poised of the lot. Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Tabu and Jaya Prada were the early callers.

Film producer Punkej Kharbanda, who worked with Sri and Boney for a few years, broke down. He said, “I was blessed to represent Sridevi and be Boney’s close associate. Her journey was incredible and so was mine. She passed away. One day, I will too.” He emotionally added, “I will always cherish the moments I spent with her. Thank God for the wonderful blessing. Let’s celebrate her life, work, paintings and her love for her children and her husband.”

Others sobbed too. Some were embarrassed to show their tears while some flaunted their tears like trophies. They cried unabashedly while staring into television cameras.

TURNING BACK TIME

Seeing Jaya Prada walking into pay her last respects at the Celebration Club, I flashed back to the shooting of Maqsad in 1984. The two of them were rivals. This may not be the appropriate time to say it, but they couldn’t stand each other. Yet, they were so professional.

On set, one never saw the traces of animosity. Between the film’s shoot, I recall doing a photo session with the two of them. And director K Bapaiah, who was present, congratulated me saying, ‘You can broker peace between India and Pakistan.’ When I asked him what he meant, he replied, ‘You have actually got Sri and Jaya to do a photo session for you. It’s a near impossible task.’

Sri was a true professional. She never shied away from doing anything that was required to make her film the best. People talk of her running a fever while she was shooting for the song, Na Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, for Chaalbaaz (1989). Though I don’t remember that, I was with her at Filmistan Studios when she shot for Kaate Nahin Kat Te (Mr India, 1987). She had to wear several cotton petticoats underneath her blue chiffon sari as she had to get drenched and the sheer chiffon would cling. As I accompanied her from the ground floor make-up room to the set, I recall she was burning with fever. But she never spoke of cancelling the shoot. If this is not dedication, then what is?

Another irony that hit me was Sridevi walked the last mile alone. In her lifetime, she only believed in travelling with an entourage. As I had mentioned earlier; during her childhood, her parents and sister, Srilatha, were her constant companions. Later in life, Boney always treated her like a queen. During Cannes 2008 at the French Riviera, accommodation was hard to find. Boney, who couldn’t find a room, just booked a suite at the fanciest hotel facing the sea instead. Sri and he were accompanied by their children and the maids.

Anil Kapoor, on the other hand, who was also in Cannes to attend the festival, was genuinely hunting for a modest hotel room. Rightfully, he didn’t want to splurge on a suite, like his older brother whose every move was dictated by the fact that he was married to a diva.

Each year in July-August, when their children had their summer break, Sri and Boney travelled to LA with Janhvi and Khushi. And, booked themselves into a nice bungalow, nothing less. It was these moments that Sri lived for. Filling Boney’s plate with ‘diet’ food, doing her yoga, watching horror films, chatting with Manila (director Rajkumar Santoshi’s wife), dressing up her daughters (Janhvi and Khushi), taking them along with her to the beauty salon, indulging them in every way possible. Sri’s 24 x 7 jam-packed schedule stands disrupted.

Like her song from Chaalbaaz went Kisike haath na aayegi ye ladki...

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