Sridevi's tragic death leaves Bollywood on standby

The Dubai authorities finished their investigation and handed over the mortal remains of Indian cinema icon Sridevi to her family around 2.30 pm (IST) yesterday. Her death on February 24 is being attributed to ‘accidental drowning in the bathtub’ and the actress’ funeral has been delayed by two days. Even while Arjun Kapoor flew to Dubai yesterday to be with his father, Boney, the Kapoor khandaan in Mumbai are grief-stricken. A source, who visited the family yesterday, said, “Even Anil Kapoor, Sunita Kapoor and the immediate family members were as eager to learn of the latest developments as all of us.”

Of course, the team that left to be by Boney’s side in Dubai on Sunday was sending regular updates. Producer Rajat Rawail’s messages were the most eagerly awaited because according to one of the recipients, ‘They read like a call sheet.’ Reportedly, their contents were on the lines of — 10 am: now in Court; 1 pm: Expecting Prosecutor to sign off; 1.30 pm: Body to be taken for embalming, so on and so forth. 

Andre Timmins, (one of the founder directors of a leading international entertainment company) who was accompanying Sanjay Kapoor to Dubai on the 4 am flight on Sunday, was also keeping people posted about the details of the proceedings. A source says, “Andre’s messages were more to the point and he was being helpful in communicating with the family.”

In Mumbai, the messages were encrypted by Reshma Shetty, who is managing Jahnvi’s career and is stationed at Anil’s residence. The duties have been divided systematically. Yash Raj Films’ PR team is in charge of media briefings while Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions is taking care of the security arrangements.

While many ‘new’ forces have come forward to stand with the Kapoors in their hour of bereavement, Boney’s own staff is slightly lost. Reveals an informer, “Though they have been with his production house for a long time, they have fewer details than even the outsiders. No one is keeping them in the loop.” 

Sonam, Anil and several other Bollywood actors (who have specifically requested that their names should not be revealed) are on standby. A Bollywood superstar, who was expected to go for his outdoor shoot, has been waiting patiently since the last two days for the legend’s body to arrive as he idolised Sri and wanted to pay his last respects to her.