Sridevi, 54, died after suffering a cardiac arrest. (Express archive photo by RD Rai)
SRIDEVI DEAD: The first female superstar of Bollywood, Sridevi died on the night of February 24 after a cardiac arrest. The veteran actor was in Dubai with husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi Kapoor for the wedding ceremony of Mohit Marwah. Sridevi’s elder daughter Jahnvi Kapoor didn’t attend the wedding and was in Mumbai due to her work commitments. The news of Sridevi’s death came as a shock to the entire film and television fraternity. Even the fans of the Chandni actor are saddened by the sudden demise of their superstar. Sanjay Kapoor, brother of Boney Kapoor confirmed the news to indianexpress.com and said, “Yes, it is true that Sridevi passed away. I just landed here. I was in Dubai and now I am flying back to Dubai. It happened roughly around 11.00-11.30. I don’t know more details yet.”
Sridevi tributes – Follow all the updates here:
- Feb 26, 2018 at 3:31 pmShocking exit,....Sridevi will always remain in our heart forever.Reply
Amit ChauhanFeb 25, 2018 at 10:42 pmWoken up with the shocking News about all time my favorite heroine She was best and most beautiful lady of Indian cinema, she will alive in heart of us for her million dollar smile and her contribution in Indian cinema. It’s a g8 loss of Indian cinema India RIPReply- Feb 25, 2018 at 9:47 pmWoken up with the shock of my favorite actress was no more.feeling sad and shock. still i wish to god that it would be rumor. I wish myself as to see #sridevi once in my lifetime but now it won't happen. feeling sad...RIP #Sridevi #my favorite actress in the#world. I miss you lot mam.Reply
- Feb 25, 2018 at 7:24 pmIt is really shocking news, she was fine and great actor and dancer, I have seen all her movies and still I watch her movies like Sadma, Lamhe, Chandni and so many others. May her soul rest in peace.Reply
- Feb 25, 2018 at 7:19 pmI stay in Canada but I use to watch her movies when released. She was a fine actor and dancer. i still watch her movies Sadma, Lamhe and many more. Prakash MehtaReply
- Load More Comments
Anupam Kher is not just Sridevi's neighbour in Mumbai, the two have also done sixteen films together including ChaalBaaz, Lamhe and Ladlaa. He finally spoke to the media, and shared how difficult it is for him to talk about Sridevi in the past tense. He said, "Sometimes some people are so close to you, some people affect you so much, the person, the actor, the personality, talking about that person in the past tense is very saddening. To me, Sridevi as an actor, as a person, as a friend... We have worked together in sixteen films. So her memory will always be alive in my heart. So, I am feeling very weird to talk about her as 'she was'. It will take me some time to prepare myself to talk about her in the past tense. But, we've lost the biggest human being, and the biggest star of our country."
As reported by IANS, Indian industrial magnate Anil Ambani has sent an aircraft to Dubai to bring Sridevi's body to India on Monday.
Late Sridevi Kapoor’s body will arrive in India tomorrow.
"When I was told that Sridevi is no more, I said, 'Shut up! Don't say that!', and then realised that what he was saying was true. I couldn't believe it. I am shocked. Why did she go away so early, so young? It was not her age to go away right now. She was like a gift from God. She was such a sweet person, so affectionate she was. Whenever she would meet me, she would touch my feet. My family is shocked. I don't know how Boney is taking this. I can say they are my family. One can only imagine what happens when they lose one of their own people. I am shocked, and deeply sad. She was so humble and always talked so lovingly," Dharmendra told indianexpress.com.
According to ANI, Sridevi's mortal remains are expected to be brought from Dubai to Mumbai via a chartered flight on Sunday evening. Her last rites will be performed in Mumbai on Monday.
"Life is so unpredictable. A lady with not just extreme talent but also a beautiful soul, Sridevi leaves us heavy hearted. So many memories attached while shooting MOM with her. Just a couple days back, I met her at Boney Kapoor’s nephews wedding and who would have thought that it is the last time i am seeing her. I am still in a state of shock and out of words to describe my feeling. May her soul rests in eternal peace hereafter," Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui. who shared screen space with the legendary star in MOM, wrote on his Instagram account.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui took to Twitter and posted, "It’s a heart breaking news, can’t even imagine in the worst of my dreams - World losses the best performer - Condolences to the Family. Rest in Peace #Sridevi Ji"
Nary Singh, who played the role of a transgender social worker in Sridevi's movie Mom, tells us that she always dreamt of working with Sridevi one day, and when that happened she was the happiest. She said, "I last met her at the MOM screening. My first meeting was many years back, but the most memorable time I spent with her was when we were shooting for MOM. I was called in to discuss my role in the film. The role was exciting but I didn't care about the role much. I was excited that I'm finally getting to work with Sridevi. I am not a fan of any other actor. Sridevi was not only my favourite actor, but she was my idol, a mentor. I would look at her dance, movies, makeup, grace, I wanted to embrace every quality of her. I used to dance on 'Naginaa' songs when I was in school. I had made a video and had shared a videotape with the cable guy in my town, and the full town saw that video and started calling me Naginaa. After doing MOM with her, I realised that all the love I had for her was not superficial, but genuine because of the kind of person she was. The first day when I met her on the sets of MOM, I touched her feet as I had learned so much from her and I had more to learn from her. I told her that my dream had come true that I was working with her, and Sridevi hugged me and motivated me to give my best. She would take care of us. She would make sure that I was eating well, and I was taken care of. I used to be nervous in front of her and at times I would forget my dialogue. She would ask me to calm down and would pacify me that we'll take as many takes as needed. I can't imagine that this woman is no more. I can't believe it. I haven't slept all night, I am shocked."
“Sridevi worked with me in Karma as an actor in 1985. A quiet lady with bundle of talent. A pure magical screen actor of India. We can never get another Sridevi again on screen. I am deeply grieved. She has not been one of the finest actor but THE finest actor of Indian cinema since 1985. Introvert by nature, she was electricity with thunder in front of camera. She would shock directors with each shot taken on the sets. May it be dance drama or romance, she was uncrowned queen of acting in all languages during her time. I knew her as a person for being my friend Boney‘s wife. She was a dedicated traditional homemaker, great mother and the perfect host for guests at home. We all loved her with great respect. Best thing in her life I observed was that she maintained her dignity and integrity as an actor and a person both, constantly at any cost in this demanding industry. Her work on screen will be written in text books of acting. May it be Sadma or her latest Mom. God bless her soul and may she rest in peace," filmmaker Subhash Ghai told indianexpress.com.
Karan Johar took to his Instagram account and shared a picture of Sridevi expressing his grief over the legendary actor's demise. The ace director wrote, "I danced to hawa Hawaii when I was in school.....I have seen every film of hers multiple times....I met her with shaking hands and feet on the sets of my fathers film GUMRAH....and felt I had arrived when she called me for the first time .....every time I met her I had a star struck moment and a fan boy vibe....I don’t think I can believe it...perhaps I don’t think I want to believe that she is no more... she is a huge reason I love the movies....I feel like Indian cinema just lost its smile....the heavens are fortunate they just inherited a gift of life.....heartbroken."
Navika Kotia, who played Sridevi's daughter in English Vinglish, told indianexpress.com, "I woke up in the morning and heard this shocking news. My heart shattered and feels heavy. My mom was a huge fan of Sridevi since her childhood and she used to tell me a lot about the craze for her, and soon we got the golden opportunity to work with her. She was a beautiful, talented and a very hardworking actress. It was amazing to work with her. It's a memory I will cherish all my life, and I still cant believe she's gone. Bollywood has lost its superstar. But she will always be remembered in our hearts and memories. I convey my heartfelt condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace."
Her younger brother Shivansh, who also played her on-screen sibling in English Vinglish, added, "I was very shocked to hear this news. Sridevi Ma'am was like my real mother while we shot for English Vinglish. She not only inspired me but also took care of me and was very sweet, humble and hardworking. I still can't believe it. May her soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to her family."
"I am deeply saddened by the news of her passing. I spent a big chunk of my Childhood following her movies and imitating her dance! My life's biggest gift was working on English Vinglish. And what struck me the most was what an amazing mom she was! Such a terrible loss for her family and friends and fans all over the world like me," English Vinglish actor Priya Anand told indianexpress.com.
"Difficult time for me as one of the most beautiful actress and dancer is no more with us. I wish Janhvi has tremendous success and fulfills her mother’s dreams. I can’t say much now. It’s pretty shocking,” Saroj Khan told indianexpress.com
"Farewell to the quintessential superstar! Had the privilege of meeting her multiple times..and the charisma and humility were overwhelming! She was the first true nation wide phenomenon in cinema..and leaves a legacy that will forever be remembered in reverence! We will miss you ma’am..there was so much more you had to give," Prithviraj said via Facebook.
"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," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on her Twitter handle.