Actor Sridevi suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in the early hours of Sunday.
Leaders and film fraternities across the country mourned the loss of the veteran actor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and tweeted: Saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi. 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.
President Ram Nath Kovind said she had left millions of fans heartbroken. "Shocked to hear of passing of movie star Sridevi. She has left millions of fans heartbroken. Her performances in films such as Moondram Pirai, Lamhe and English Vinglish remain an inspiration for other actors. My condolences to her family and close associates," he tweeted.
Actor Rajinikanth said he had lost a true friend and the industry, a true legend. "I’m shocked and very disturbed. I’ve lost a dear friend and the industry has lost a true legend. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I feel the pain with them #RIPSridevi ... you will be missed," he tweeted.
Speaking to media persons outside his residence, he said, "I was extremely shocked to hear of her demise. I've known her for around 40 years and we've been acting together since my second film. and she's a very good friend. May her soul rest in peace and my condolences to Boney Kapoor and her family.
"Everyone knows how good an actor she was. Off camera, she would be normal and listen to all the instructions given to her. And then suddenly on camera, it was as if she was fire, like electricity her performance would be. I have always greatly admired how she effortlessly acted in Hindi films too."
Actor Kamal Hasaan recalled working with Sridevi. "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," he tweeted.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his condolences. "As a multi lingual actress, especially for the Telugus, she became the most favorite heroine. She remains as a proud actress of India with her unparalleled acting skills," ANI reported him as saying.
The official twitter handle of the Congress tweeted that she was a legend who would "continue to live in our hearts". "We regret to hear about the passing away of Sridevi. An actor par excellence. A legend who will continue to live in our hearts through her stellar body of work. Our deepest condolences to her loved ones. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the UPA Govt in 2013," the party's handle tweeted.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi: Shocked to hear about the sudden and untimely death of one of India’s favourite actress, Sridevi. Sridevi was an incredibly talented and versatile actress whose vast body of work spanned a range of genres and languages. My condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor quoted Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke from Sonnets to Orpheus. "Let your presence ring out like a bell into the night. And if the earthly no longer knows your name, whisper to the silent earth: I am flowing. To the flashing water say: I am," he tweeted.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam tweeted: My Heartfelt Condolences to the untimely and unfortunate demise of the veteran,versatile and vibrant actress SrideviBKapoor . Her impeccable life and illustrious career has impressed every one surpassing generations! May her soul rest in peace.
Actor Adil Hussain, who worked with Sridevi English Vinglish recalls his association with the actor:
My first experience of meeting Sridevi was the day I went to do the tests rehearsals (forEnglish Vinglish). I had done just three films before, I was sort of an infant in front of her in terms of skill. I remember we were sitting besides each other and I told her that I saw your film Sadma long ago. I still remember that I couldn’t speak for two whole days after I watched the film because of its impact and its sadness. And she looked at me, and she had moist eyes. It was then that I realised in that every tiny 30-second interaction – of course we went ahead and rehearsed more – but she’s such a vulnerable and defenceless person and she opens up her entire being in order to let you enter her and sort of face the turmoil [of her character]. That's one of the rarest of qualities any actor can have.
I personally think vulnerability is the key to a versatility. She allows the audience to sort of come through the window of her soul and enter her personal space. She executes all her emotions in front of the camera with such finesse, it’s kind of an Indianness, not in a nationalist kind of way, but the inherent Eastern aesthetics and the tenderness and grace that we possess just by virtue of being born in this part of this world. [She had that] in spite of her being educated in a Western system as we all are. [It’s something] which I rarely see in any actor today.
It was a unique experience [working with her] and the kind of respect she had for a newcomer as me playing her husband, it was a gift. And more so I feel it right now. I didn’t expect her to leave so suddenly and it's frustrating and I felt angry. I didn't have a personal relationship with her, and after just a few a few meetings I had with [her] I feel I’m going to be deprived of her. Of course it’s a deeply personal loss to her family, but’s it’s an impersonal loss of being not being able to see her onscreen, especially with talent which rarely any other actor has.
Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said it was difficult to digest that she was not with us anymore. "I have no words to express how i feel. We have grown up seeing her. It is difficult to digest that she is not with us. My heartiest condolences to her family," ANI reported Mr. Tendulkar as saying.
Actor Farhan Akhtar recalled his first job, working on the sets of Lamhe. "My first job in 1990 was on Lamhe and this song Megha re Megha was the very first time I saw this legendary actor create her incredible magic on screen. From Sadma to Chalbaaz, from Mr. India to Chandni, it was impossible to take your eyes off her when she appeared on screen. A true star. A gifted actor. A woman with tremendous dignity. Gone too soon. RIP Sridevi. Sad sad day," he posted on Instagram.
Director S. S. Rajamouli: Shocked to hear the sad news. The first Lady Superstar of the Country. 50 of those 54 years as an actress par excellence. What a journey..and such an unexpected end. May your soul rest in peace. Sridevi garu
Music director A.R. Rahman tweeted his condolences, while veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, "I don't know why, I feel this strange fear."
Actor Venkatesh said there was only one Sridevi and she was unparelled. "It’s shocking to wake up to this news. I am still wondering if the news is true. This shouldn’t have happened to her. I have known her since childhood, much before I became an actor. I don’t remember when I met her first, but I think it was in Chennai when she was a child actor.She was extremely disciplined and graceful. She as born to be an actor," he said.
Another Telugu Nagarjuna Akkineni expressed his sorrow as well: I have been trying all morning to gather myself to face the truth of dear Sridevi leaving us,trying to believe it’s just a bad dream/memories of her just keep coming back and I don’t know whether to smile or cry. We love you dear Sridevi.
Union Minister Smriti Irani called Sridevi a powerhouse of acting. "Sridevi - a powerhouse of acting , a long journey embellished with success comes to a sudden end. My condolences to her loved ones and fans," she tweeted.
Actor Radhikaa Sarathkumar who has starred with Sridevi in several films said she was an artiste par excellence. "So shocked to hear about sridevikapoor, still in shock. my heart goes out to her family. An artiste par excellence, co starred in many movies with her. Can’t believe this," she tweeted.
Suresh Triveni, director of Tumhari Sulu:
My first and only memory of meeting her was at the preview of Tumhari Sulu at NSCI (National Sports Club of India) auditorium in Worli. She took time off her hectic schedule and drove all the way to town to wish Vidya Balan and the entire team. It was a dream come true for me. I am a huge fan of Sridevi's. Who is not? It was a brief opportunity of interaction with her. I told her that I couldn't believe I was standing in front of her. It is the memory of the icon that I take back with me.
The song Hawa Hawai 2.0 was meant to be a tribute to her, never to match up to her. Also the way Vidya Balan says Balma. It was about referencing popular culture and no one personifies popular culture better than Sridevi. She leaves behind an immense body of work. I loved her in Sadma, English Vinglish, Lamhe and more recently in Mom. She has been part of en entire generation of film lovers. I haven't come across anyone who didn't like her. Her passing on is a loss for us filmmakers. One would have liked to have worked with her. So many stories that could have been made [with her] will now take a backseat.
Veteran director Shekhar Kapur said an era was over. "SriDevi .. gone. It's like an era is over. Like life turning a new chapter. A beautiful story just ended. An amazing spirit just vanished leaving us with amazing love, memories, and incredible grief," he tweeted.
Actor Sushmita Sen tweeted: "I just heard Ma’am Sridevi passed away due to a massive cardiac arrest. I am in shock...cant stop crying...", while actor Priyanka Chopra said it was a dark day. "I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved Sridevi. A dark day. RIP."
"Just woke up to the saddest news..Sridevi is no more amongst us..the most talented and most beautiful..no words to express the grief..my deepest condolences to the family..May the force be with them in such hard times..her childlike laughter will be missed..RIP," tweeted actor Khushbu Sundar.
"Shocked beyond words at the passing away of SrideviBKapoor ! Each of your expression will remain etched in our mind for ever! Can’t believe you are gone, a true star among the stars!Condolences to the family. RIP SRIDEVI," tweeted Resul Pookutty.
Kona Venkat, one of the writers of her last film Mom:
The Indian film industry has lost a great soul, a great actress. Like everyone else, I am also coming to terms with the fact that she is no more. The first film for which I was associated with her is Mom. I didn’t think it will be the last one. She was a very warm person. I convey my heartfelt condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.
Veteran actor Lakshmi: I've acted with Sridevi in several films in Tamil telugu and Malayalam. She's played my younger version and my younger sister in several films and I've never seen a more dedicated and sincere child artist. Every producer and director was lucky to work with her. It's hard to come across a celebrity like her, with no airs. I received the news of her demise early this morning and it has come as a huge shock to all of us in the industry. She will always be remembered as a committed, hard working and dedicated actress who was always ready to give her best.
Actor Akshay Kumar: Shocked beyond words to hear about the sad and untimely demise of Sridevi. A dream for many, had the good fortune of sharing screen space with her long ago and witnessed her continued grace over the years. Thoughts and prayers with the family. RIP
Actor Madhavan said the film industry would never be the same again. "Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden passing away of a Legend of Indian Cinema Srideviji.Cant imagine what the family is going thru.Our industry will never be the same again.She was the kindest soul apart from being a Giant performer.The heavens are lucky. RIP," he tweeted.
Actor Boman Irani: Just woken up to the tragic and shocking news of the passing of our dear Sridevi ji. Heartfelt condolences to Boneyji and her family.
Actor Rishi Kapoor: Woken up to this tragic news. Absolute shock. Sad. Heartfelt condolences to Boney and their two daughters!
CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury: Actor Sridevi brought so many varied characters to life, over such a long span and in so many languages. She had so much more to do. Condolences to her near and dear ones.
Telangana Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan expressed shock at the sudden demise of Sridevi and said the film industry has suffered an irreparable loss.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said in her death, the Indian film industry had a void and left Telugu film industry in sorrow. He also conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and said that the veteran actor rode the film industry like a colossus with her charm, talent and agility. "It is loss to the industry and film lovers, more so, generations of filmgoers in the country," he said.
Actor Sridevi was a pleasing personality and had carved a niche for herself in the cine industry over 50 years. Her demise is a huge loss not only to Tamil Cine field but to the Indian Cine Industry. I extend my deep condolences to her bereaved family: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Telangana Congress President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, actor and Janasena founder Pawan Kalyan and Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit all expressed their condolences.
Actor Niithin: I truly wish it's not true, deeply saddened by the news RIP ... Legendary Sridevi.. deepest condolences to the family.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the country has lost a brilliant actor who ruled the Indian cinema for decades together with her exemplary acting skills. “Her roles in movies such as ‘Sadma’, ‘Chandni’, ’Lamhe’ and ‘English-Vinglish’ will be remembered for a long time,” he said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee: “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.”
Producer A.M. Ratnam: My association with Sridevi goes back a long way. Most of my superhits were remade in Hindi by Mr. Boney Kapoor. There was no trip to Mumbai where I would miss visiting their family. I'm unable to digest the fact that such a good human being and a good actress is no more with us.
Actor Balakrishna: She had acted in many movies with my father. She had the ability to emote any situation through her eyes. Her sudden death is a great loss to the film fraternity. I wish her soul rests in peace.
Actor Allu Arjun: Shocked to hear of the demise of iconic actress Sridevi Garu ! Really sad news. Condolences to her family, near and dear ones
Actor Pawan Kalyan: She won hearts across the country, regardless of language. It's tough to believe that she's no more, yet her roles in iconic movies will stay with us forever. I still remember her song Boochadamma in Badipantulu and her wide gamut of expressions. I hold her innocent performance with my brother Chiranjeevi in Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari close to my heart. It's unfortunate that she couldn't see her daughter's entry into films. Her position in the Indian film industry is irreplaceable.
Pay your tributes to Sridevi in the comments to this article. Select ones will be published by The Hindu in an article.
(With inputs from Sangeetha Devi Dundoo, Poorvaja Sundar, Namrata Joshi and Agencies)