India
Sridevi death live updates: Stunned India grieves demise of legendary actor
Updated : Feb 25, 2018, 09:20 PM IST
Indian cinema has lost of one its brightest stars in Sridevi and personalities such as Rishi Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, Aamir Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and South superstars Chiranjeevi, and Nagarjuna Akkineni and "Baahubali" director SS Rajamouli among others offered their condolences on the death of the legendary actor.
The actor, who was 54, died late at Saturday night reportedly due to cardiac arrest in Dubai, where she had gone to attend her nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding.
The news of Sridevi's death spread like wildfire with stars such as her contemporary Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen and Riteish Deshmukh taking to social media to express their grief.
The actor had worked in cinema across languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada in her career spanning almost five decades.
Inarguably, Sridevi was the first pan-India female superstar to rule the 1980s.
Melody queen Mangeshkar, who lent her voice to Sridevi in memorable songs such as "Mere haathon mein","Morni baaga maa", "Kabhi main kahoon" and "Nainon mein sapna", tweeted her condolences.
"I can't believe Sridevi has left the world at such a young age. I'm at a loss of words. My condolences to Boney Kapoor and their two daughters," she wrote.
The first one, however, was Amitabh Bachchan who in a cryptic tweet wrote, "Don't know why, feeling a strange restlessness." The megastar had worked with Sridevi in "Khuda Gawah" (1992).
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, who worked with Sridevi in "Sadma", the Hindi remake of their 1982 Tamil film "Moondram Pirai", wrote on Twitter that the lullaby 'Suramayi ankhiyon mein' from the movie haunts him now.
With India grieving the loss of its first female superstar, follow live updates here:
According to reports, the body of the actress is likely to be flown home on Monday.
Sridevi’s body could not be repatriated on Sunday as the final investigation reports from Dubai Police were not ready by late evening, officials dealing with the legal formalities told Gulf News.
A report also said that the officials expressed hopes that the repatriation can be completed by Monday.
Sridevi has inspired a whole generation of artistes with Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smriti Irani, being one of them.
Irani wrote an emotional letter remembering her "favourite star who defined joy in my childhood".
In a letter published by News18, the minister said, "My memories of Sridevi are built through my journey from being a fangirl to an actor and then my role as a politician. I have had opportunities to meet Sridevi in public engagements and industry events, and each time I went back knowing a little more about her." Read
Union Cabinet Minister of Textiles and Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani mourned the death of the legendary Bollywood actor Sridevi.
The minister recalled the last presence of the late actor at the International Film festival at Goa in November 2017.
She said that in spite of the actor standing all alone on the stage at the Goa event, she managed to fill the space with her charm and presence.
Smriti Irani further said that the actor never demanded any protocol. She knew her mind and in spite of facing various challenges throughout her life, she lived with dignity.
Eminent personalities of Bengal, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and cricket legend Sourav Ganguly today expressed grief at the sudden death of veteran actor Sridevi.
Banerjee, in a condolence message on Twitter, said, "Saddened at the untimely passing away of Sridevi, one of the most popular actors of a generation. Condolences to her family, her colleagues in the industry and fans."
"So shocked to hear the news of Sridevi ji... met her few months ago at my show.... just can't believe it," Ganguly said.
Indian embassy officials here are working closely with the local authorities to ensure that the mortal remains of Bollywood icon.
It is, however, unclear when the transfer will take place as local procedures need to be completed before the body is repatriated.
According to sources in the consulate, forensic and lab reports are still awaited following which the process of repatriation will begin.
"Since this was declared a natural death, a post-mortem is unlikely to be carried out," another source told PTI.
Have witnessed Sridevi's life from an adolescent teenager to the magnificeint lady she became. Her stardom was well deserved. Many happy moments with her flash through my mind including the last time I met her. Sadma's lullaby haunts me now. We'll miss her
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 25, 2018
‘Deeply saddened and disturbed by Sridevi’s passing. Gone too soon. Thank you for the laughter, the grace, the guts and the glory. For being an inspiration for so many young women and men. Long live your legacy. RIP,’ award-winning actor Konkana Sensharma said on Twitter.
Deeply saddened and disturbed by Sridevi’s passing. Gone too soon. Thank you for the laughter, the grace, the guts and the glory. For being an inspiration for so many young women and men. Long live your legacy. RIP.
— Konkona Sensharma (@konkonas) February 25, 2018
DNA remembers the dazzling diva, who left us too soon
Top 10 memorable moments of #Sridevi's Bollywood career https://t.co/B1INMZdkHl pic.twitter.com/R4DfxejtkB
— dna After Hrs (@dnaAfterHrs) February 25, 2018
Filmmaker Vashu Bhagnani has said that ‘there are no words to describe this moment.’
Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha hai ki main kya bolun. She was really important, pata nahi ab kya hoga sirf Bollywood ka nahi, par Tamil, Telugu aur baaki film industries ka bhi. There are no words to describe this moment: Vashu Bhagnani, Filmmaker on #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/Ocd8jzI9as
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2018
‘I really have no words, I am still not able to comprehend this loss, just can't imagine what the family is going through,’ Sridevi’s English Vinglish co-star Adil Hussain said.
I really have no words, I am still not able to comprehend this loss, just can't imagine what the family is going through: Adil Hussain,Actor #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/pvCbVCqsXA
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2018
‘I was shocked to hear the news of her demise. She played an important role in the field of performing arts. We all have seen her capabilities on the screen. This is a huge loss for the nation. I give my heartfelt condolences to her family,’ Union Minister Piyush Goyal said.
I was shocked to hear the news of her demise. She played an important role in the field of performing arts. We all have seen her capabilities on the screen. This is a huge loss for the nation. I give my heartfelt condolences to her family: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/T3g3nQt4Wd
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2018
‘I am very shocked by this news. I never thought this would happen. She impressed everyone with her talent. She was a wonderful actress. It is a big loss for Bollywood,’ Hema Malini said.
Yeh khabar sunke bahot shock laga. Humne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha. Unhone apne talent se kaafi logon ko prabhaavit kiya. She was a wonderful actress & unhone apna sthaan banaya hindi film industry mein. It is a big loss for Bollywood: Hema Malini on #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/qWeRtgUeoe
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2018
Noted actor Annu Kapoor expressed his grief and said, ‘I wanted to accept it as a rumour, but in the end it was a reality. Whereever she is may her soul rest in peace. Our prayers are with her family. Nation mourns, she was a heartthrob for cinema lovers. We will always remember her.’
I wanted to accept it as a rumour, but in the end it was a reality. Whereever she is may her soul rest in peace. Our prayers are with her family. Nation mourns, she was a heartthrob for cinema lovers. We will always remember her: Annu Kapoor on #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/EeAISIY3xO
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2018