Sridevi funeral news updates: Anil Kapoor reaches Mumbai airport as charter flight expected to land shortly; security beefed up

HIGHLIGHTS

• 21:26 (IST)

  Sonam Kapoor, other family members reach airport; Anil Ambani also present to receive actress' mortal remains

  According to India Today, members of the Kapoor family, including Sonam and Anil Kapoor have reached the airport. Anil Ambani, whose Embraer aircraft is flying the mortal remains of the actress, has also reached the airport. The plane is expected to touch down shortly and the body would be taken to Boney Kapoor's residence. 

• 20:53 (IST)

  Anil Kapoor arrives at Mumbai airport, charter plane expected to land shortly

  Anil Kapoor has reached the Mumbai Airport to recieve the body of Sridevi. An ambulance from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is at the airport to take her body to Boney Kapoor’s residence. Security has been stepped up in the area. 

• 20:42 (IST)

  Son Arjun Kapoor, brother Sanjay Kapoor accompany Boney on plane to Mumbai 

• 19:18 (IST)

  Kapoor family issues statement

  On behalf of Khushi, Janhvi, Boney Kapoor, the entire Kapoor and Ayyappan families, a sincere thanks to the media for your continued sensitivity and support during this emotional moment. Kindly find all the details for tomorrow :

  1. Condolences and last respects: 

  Date & Time : 28th Feb Wednesday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm (PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE SET UP BY 9 am at the venue)

  Address: Celebration Sports Club
  Garden No 5, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400053

  Plz note : Media can also pay their last respects provided camera, recording devices, etc are left outside the venue.

  The last journey will commence at 2 pm from Celebration Sports Club to Pawan Hans.

  2. Cremation Ceremony

  Address : Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery, Next to Pawan Hans, SV Road, Vile Parle West

  Date & Time : 28th Feb 3.30 pm onwards 

  Kindly note, media will be only allowed outside the main entrance.

• 19:07 (IST)

  In her South Indian films, Sridevi often out-performed veteran male co-stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan

  ​

  "In her early years she was the quintessential talented South Indian heroine whose performance often outstripped those of the veteran male actors opposite whom she starred, be it in Tamil, Malayalam or Telugu.

  Over the years I watched her grow from a chubby precocious child star into a perky teenager — usually dressed in short, short dresses — and blossom very soon into an extremely talented young actress who could essay any role which came her way. When she was just 13 she acted in Moondru Mudichu as a young woman who loses the man she loves, and is hounded by the man who allows him to die. Certainly a very complicated role for a 13 year old, but one which she tackled with the ease of a veteran."

  Read the full article here

• 19:02 (IST)

  Sridevi's mortal remains will be kept at Celebrations Sports Club for public homage; funeral expected after 3.30 pm

  According to ANI, Sridevi's mortal remains will be kept at Celebrations Sports Club in Lokhandwala, where a condolence meet will be held between 9.30 am and 12.30 am on Wednesday. The funeral is expected to take place at Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium after 3:30 pm. 

• 18:43 (IST)

  Celebrities use #LetHerRestInPeace in response to sensational TV media coverage of Sridevi's death

  TV media's frantic reporting over the death of veteran actor Sridevi has angered Bollywood celebrities and her fans, who have called the coverage "graceless" and "insensitive".

• 18:24 (IST)

  Sridevi's mortal remains to be flown out from Dubai soon

  As Sridevi's mortal remains have reached the Dubai International Airport, it is expected that they would be flown out soon. Boney Kapoor is being accompanied by son Arjun, Gulf News reported.

• 18:22 (IST)

  Actors across film industry continue to slam media over coverage

• 18:12 (IST)

  People from Sridevi's native place Sivakasi pay tribute

• 18:10 (IST)

  Sridevi was the only lady superstar and she will always remain one, says Bappi Lahiri

• 17:52 (IST)

  Sridevi's body taken to Dubai Airport's cargo area, mortal remains to be brought in private jet

• 17:49 (IST)

  Celebrities slam TV media for sensational reporting on Sridevi's death

  TV media's frantic reporting over the death of veteran actor Sridevi has angered Bollywood celebrities and her fans, who have called the coverage "graceless" and "insensitive". Celebrities such as Vidya Balan and Farhan Akhtar criticised the TV channels for suggesting various conspiracy theories on the cause of her death. 

  Balan, who posted a photo of the late actor, said, "May they let you rest in peace...." "Such a shame that whole country is silently watching their superstar Sridevi being murdered live by media," wrote a user while another user said media should stop using Sridevi's death for entertainment. 

   

  Sonu Sood wrote, "I wonder after doing such reporting about a legend who lost her life..can these people sleep in peace? Ashamed to live in times where we have to see such a standard of reporting on reputed channels. Shame on you... let someone rest in peace."

   

  Indian Ambassador to UAE, Navdeep Suri, also appealed for calm. "The media interest in untimely demise of #Sridevi is understandable. But the frenzy of speculation does not help. 

• 17:44 (IST)

  Sridevi's body to be flown to India from royal terminal of the Dubai International Airport

• 17:40 (IST)

  Mortal remains to be kept for public homage from 8 am, Tuesday

  The family will arrive in Mumbai at 10.30 pm where they'll head straight to Sridevi's residence. On Wednesday morning, her fans, family members and the members of film fraternity will pay their respects at her Mumbai home in Lokhandwala. Arjun Kapoor and his cousin Saurabh Malhotra are accompanying Boney Kapoor from Dubai to Mumbai.   

• 17:28 (IST)

  Sridevi's funeral to be held tomorrow at 10.30 am, body will be kept at actor's Mumbai home

  Sridevi's mortal remains will be brought to Mumbai around 10.30 pm tonight, Times Now reported. The actors funeral service will be held on Wednesday morning. India Today said that the cremation will take place at Lokhandwala crematorium around 10.30 am, and the body will be kept for public homage at the actor's residence, Green Acres from 8 am onwards. 

• 17:10 (IST)

  Sridevi's body to reach Mumbai by late evening: Reports

  Sridevi's mortal remains have reached Dubai International Airport, from where it will be flown to India in a private jet. TV News reports said that the body will reach around 10.30 pm (IST) in Mumbai and will be taken to the Kapoor's residence in Andheri West. 

• 16:53 (IST)

  Sridevi's mortal remains enroute airport 

• 16:43 (IST)

  Embalming procedure over, Sridevi's mortal remains to be taken to airport

  The embalming procedure is now completed and Sridevi's mortal remains will now be directly taken to the airport. The ambulance carrying the body will be accompanied by police jeeps, which will escort it to the cargo terminal from where it will be flown in to India on a private jet. 

• 16:20 (IST)

  Sridevi's death certificate handed over to family: CNN-News 18

• 16:16 (IST)

  Watch: Sridevi's body being taken for embalming 

  Sridevi's body has reached the embalming unit and the embassy officials are completing the process of repatriation in the meantime. Embalming is expected to take around 90 minutes after which the body will be taken to the Maktoum International Airport. 

• 16:04 (IST)

  Visuals from inside embalming unit; process to begin shortly

• 16:00 (IST)

  Case closed: Investigation into Sridevi's death ends; Dubai authorities say actor died of accidental drowning 

• 15:38 (IST)

  Sridevi's body being taken for embalming

• 15:33 (IST)

  All procedures followed in investigation of Sridevi's death: Dubai government statement

  In a couple of tweets, the Dubai Media Office Said: "The Public Prosecutor's Office #دبي: The decision to release the body came after all the investigations and procedural matters followed in such incidents were completed, in order to determine all its circumstances and ensure that justice was done within the framework of the law. The medical report showed that the death of Indian actress Sridevi Kapoor came as a result of her drowning in her hotel room after losing consciousness."

• 15:29 (IST)

  Sridevi's nephew Saurabh Malhotra at morgue to collect actor's body: CNN-News18

• 15:25 (IST)

  Meanwhile, visuals from outsie Kapoors' residence in Mumbai

• 15:24 (IST)

  Sridevi's body will now be taken for 90-minute embalming process

  Embalming is the process of preserving the human body after death to delay decomposition. Human beings have been practising embalming in various forms for thousands of years. The body is drained of blood and gases and pumped with replacement fluids to temporarily slow its disintegration. The process is fairly common in the death of public figures, particularly because usually a traditional funeral is held, which includes keeping the body in an open casket for viewing the deceased's body.

• 15:11 (IST)

  Indian Consulate officials, close family members reach mortuary to receive Sridevi's body

  According to Khaleej Times, the Kapoor family and Indian embassy officials have reached the morgue at the police headquarters, where Sridevi's body was kept since last night. The body will now be taken for embalming process, after which the repatriation papers will begin. 

• 15:07 (IST)

  At least few more hours' wait for Sridevi's fans, families

  It will be at least three more hours before the body can be put on the India-bound jet, sources say. Taking into account the mid afternoon traffic, the processes at the mortuary, and the government embalming unit in Sonapur on the Dubai-Sharjah border, and then the long drive to the airport, it could be late in evening before the body reaches India. 

• 14:52 (IST)

  Body to be flown back today: India's consul general to Dubai

  The Indian Consulate told CNN-News 18 that the veteran actor's body will be flown back to Mumbai today. The Indian Embassy has received necessary clearance to begin the embalming process of the body, after which it will request for a local visa. Sridevi's passport will be canceled after that. 

• 14:37 (IST)

  Dubai Police hands over letter for release of Sridevi's mortal remains to her family

• 14:28 (IST)

  Boney Kapoor's passport temporarily detained by police: Asianet

  ​The report said that Kapoor was also interrogated for three hours earlier.

• 14:20 (IST)

  Boney Kapoor questioned yet again, injury marks found on Sridevi's head: Asianet

  According to Asianet, a "deep wound" was found on Sridevi's head. The CCTV footage is also being examined.

• 13:18 (IST)

  Arjun Kapoor leaves for Dubai

  Uncertainty continues over repatriation of Sridevi as legal formalities are yet to be finished. Meanwhile, reports said that Arjun Kapoor has left for Dubai to help his father Boney Kapoor.  

• 12:50 (IST)

  Sridevi's life a classic case of how each person's actual life is completely different from how the world perceives it: Ram Gopal Varma 

  Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who directed Sridevi in films like Great Robbery, Govindhaa... Govindhaa... and Hairaan, says that the late actor has been a "very unhappy woman" and her life was a "classic case of how each person's actual life is completely different from how the world perceives it".

  In a personal note on her, Varma says that she was the most desirable woman and the biggest superstar of the country but that's just a part of the story.

  Varma says that except for a short glimmer of English Vinglish, Sridevi had been pretty much very unhappy. "She went through so much in her life and due to her early career entry, life never gave her time to grow up at a normal pace," writes Varma.

  Read the full note here

• 12:41 (IST)

  Public Prosecutor statement any minute now, reports Gulf media

  According to reports in UAE media, Public Prosecutor will release the official statement any time now. However, the Dubai Police has claimed that without due procedure the body will not be released for embalming or repatriation. 

  According to the Dubai Police, unless all those involved in the case (directly and indirectly) are cleared after questioning, the body of the veteran actor will not be released. 

• 12:36 (IST)

  Body will be released only after all those involved have been questioned and cleared: Dubai Police

  Dubai police said its only after questioning all the people involved directly and indirectly the case will be cleared and for the body to be released from the morgue for embalming and repatriation.

• 12:24 (IST)

  Public Prosecutor and Dubai Police will clear body for embalming only after all doubts raised on the night of Sridevi's death were cleared

  Requesting anonymity Indian consulate officials said that the Dubai Police has to go through certain protocols and they can't skip steps. They added that the public prosecutor and the police were trying to expedite matters but would only clear the body for embalming after all the doubts raised on Sunday (when Sridevi's death was reported) were cleared.

• 12:07 (IST)

  Referring cases to Dubai Public Prosecutor is a common procedure: Gulf News

  Gulf News quoted a chief prosecutor: “In such accidental death incidents, the results of the post-mortem and forensic examination reports are referred to the Public Prosecution as part of ordinary law enforcement procedures. The papers are revised by the prosecutors of the jurisdiction where the incident happened. An official order to hand over the body of the deceased to the family or relatives is issued shortly after that.”

  The report further added that in case of any suspicious foul play, prosecutors would carry out further detailed investigations and decide on any future law enforcement procedures accordingly.

• 11:59 (IST)

  Dubai Public Prosecution says probe still on to determine circumstances surrounding Sridevi's death

  The officials at the Dubai Public Prosecution office, the probe is still going on to determine the circumstances surrounding Sridevi's death, as the forensic report, which came out on Monday, only says that the actor died of accidental drowning, reports Gulf News.

• 11:53 (IST)

  Dubai police following usual protocol, Indian consulate assures Sridevi's family

  Khaleej Times reported that the officials at Indian Consulate maintained that the Dubai Police are following the usual protocol and are not delaying the process. The report further added that the officials in Dubai want to be 100 percent sure about all their claims, considering the extremely sensitive nature of the case.

• 11:46 (IST)

  Sridevi's family waiting for clearance letter from Dubai Public Prosecution, says report

  Indian Consulate officials told Khaleej Times that the Dubai Police were following usual protocol. However considering the highly sensitive nature of the case, they want be 100 percent sure before handing over the body to the family.

• 11:34 (IST)

  Inconsistencies appear in timeline leading up to Sridevi's death as questions remain unanswered

  There are inconsistencies in the timeline leading up to her death. While initial reports said the first call to the police was made at 9 pm, the autopsy report said the time of death was 10.01 pm. There is, therefore, an hour's gap between the official time of death and the first call made to the police, during which no confirmed call to a doctor was made.

  Click here to read more

• 11:00 (IST)

  Embalming process still remains to be completed

  Embalming usually happens between 7 am and 5 pm, but Khaleej Times reported that in unusual cases, when the embalming unit in Muhaisna get a call from higher authorities, they perform the embalming at any given time.

  "At the time of reporting this, sources at the unit in Muhaisna revealed that there was only one body present at the centre, and the staff at the unit were heading home," Khaleej Times reports.

• 10:05 (IST)

  India working closely with UAE authorities to ensure early release of body

  "We are working with local authorities to ensure that mortal remains can be sent to India at the earliest. We are on the job," said Navdeep Singh Suri, adding that "Our experience in similar cases tells us that it does take 2-3 days to complete processes."

  The body was likely to be embalmed today, Khaleej Times reported. Sridevi's body will be brought back to Mumbai for the funeral by a chartered jet.

• 09:37 (IST)

  Might take 2-3 days to complete all processes: Navdeep Suri

  Indian Ambassador to UAE says might take two to three days to complete all processes. 

• 09:35 (IST)

  Timeline leading upto Sridevi's death full of inconsistencies

  According to the autopsy report, Sridevi died at 10.01 pm on Saturday. There are a few questions that crop up:

  - Boney Kapoor found Sridevi unconscious in the hotel bathtub at around 5.30 pm (Dubai time)

  - Boney called his friends and the hotel staff for help. Sridevi's body was taken out of the bathtub and they tried to revive her. 

  - According to reports, the first call to the police was made at 9 pm. 

  - Autopsy report pegs time of death at 10.01 pm. 

  - Indian consulate officials, however, told Khaleej Times that the time of death was 11 pm, which widens the time gap even further

  - There is no confirmation or any report which confirms that a doctor was called in the ensuing period. Incidentally, Jumeirah Hotel told Firstpost that all of their five-star properties have on-call doctors.

  There is an hour gap between the official time of death and the first call made to the police.

• 09:14 (IST)

  Sridevi died at 10.01 pm on Saturday night

  Autopsy report confirms that Sridevi died at 10.01 on Saturday night. More details are awaited. It is, however, important to note that there is a gap of an hour and a half between the time of death (according to the autopsy report) and the time it was reported. 

• 09:01 (IST)

  Boney Kapoor not interrogated, it was just a testimony, say reports

  According to several media reports, Dubai Police merely recorded Boney Kapoor testimony.  "As per standard police investigation procedures, director and husband of late Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, only provided his testimony on Sunday morning. The conversation between police and the director took place when her body was discovered at Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel on the night of her death," a Gulf-based paper reported. 

• 08:32 (IST)

  Sridevi's hotel room is sealed and under control of Dubai Police

  Boney Kapoor was called in for questioning by the Dubai Police at the Bur Dubai police station and most of the questions were related to the last hours he spent with Sridevi. 

  The room where Sridevi died is sealed and it’s under the control of Dubai police. The preliminary report did not specify a time of death, but more details are expected in the detailed report. 

• 07:25 (IST)

  Dubai Public Prosecution begins probe

  Claiming that further probe is required in the Sridevi death case, the Dubai Public Prosecution has begun its investigation. The investigation into her death began early on Sunday morning, and the actor's body has been at the General Department of Forensic Evidence, Dubai, since 2.30am on Sunday, Khaleej Times reported.

• 07:13 (IST)

  Boney Kapoor not interrogated by Dubai Police, cops tells Khaleej Times

  According to Khaleej Times, a newspaper based out of UAE, the Dubai Police has claimed that Boney Kapoor was not interrogated. The media reports claiming so are baseless, the paper further reported. 

  "As per standard police investigation procedures, director and husband of the late Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, only provided his testimony on Sunday morning. The conversation between police and the director took place when her body was discovered at Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel on the night of her death. However, he was not called by the police on Monday for further interrogation. All media reports regarding further questioning are baseless..."

• 06:56 (IST)

  Media frenzy over Sridevi death understandable, but it doesn't help matters, says Indian ambassador to UAE

  Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Suri tweeted late on Monday and said that media frenzy, while understandable, does not help the situation. 

  "We are working with local authorities to ensure that mortal remains can be sent to India at the earliest. We are on the job," Suri said in one of the two tweets.  "Our experience in similar cases tells us that it does take 2-3 days to complete processes," he added.

• 22:57 (IST)

  Visuals from Quisais police general head quarters

• 22:38 (IST)

  Visual from outside police mortuary

• 22:28 (IST)

  Speculations rife around actors death: Is the real meaning lost in translation?

  The official language in UAE is Arabic and all certificates and other paperwork is carried out in the language. As speculations and guess work picked up, it is important to note here that the translated version of the forensic report was available for circulation in the media much too soon. The lack of detail and obvious spelling errors (drowning was spelt drawning) indicate that the translation was rather hurried.

  There are translation departments at all government offices or the job is sometimes outsourced, when it is to do with commercial transactions and civil cases.

  It is possible that nuances of the report and literal meanings were lost in translation, and that the translation was not written in an in-depth manner. 

  However, while the main document is made in Arabic, translations with official seal are also regarded as official documents. The authority issuing the document itself translates and puts seal on the print out.

• 22:06 (IST)

  Indian envoy says repatriation open-ended

  India’s Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri said that with the new development, and the case being referred to the public prosecution department, the repatriation issue is now open ended. He added that the Indian Embassy is in talks with the Dubai authorities to get clearance and is hopeful it will happen soon, Gulf News reported. 

• 21:10 (IST)

  Sridevi's body not being embalmed today; mortal remains kept at forensic department at police headquarters

  Contrary to earlier reports, it is now being said that Sridevi's body will not be embalmed today and the actor's mortal remains are kept at the forensic department at the police headquarters. 

  Khaleej Times reported that the embalming likely to take place at Sonapur by noon on Tuesday.

• 20:46 (IST)

  Kamal Haasan reaches Anil Kapoor's residence 

• 20:10 (IST)

  Shah Rukh Khan's Zero will be Sridevi's last film

  Sridevi will make her final appearance on silver screen in December in a cameo appearance in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Zero. She shot for her scene last year in October. The legendary actor will be seen playing herself and will share screen space with Karisma Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan, Zoom reported.

• 20:03 (IST)

  Shakti Kapoor condoles Sridevi's death, says sad actor couldn't see daughter's debut film 

• 19:59 (IST)

  Dubai Police to record Boney Kapoor's statement on wife's death

  Executive Editor of UAE's Khaleej Times, Vicky Kapur told ABP News that the Dubai Police will record the statement of Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor in connection with her sudden demise. Boney was present in the room where Sridevi died of "accident drowning" and was reportedly the one who first found her lying unconscious in the bath tub. 

• 19:53 (IST)

  The three main questions surrounding Sridevi's death

  The police is still working out the exact circumstances that lead to the 'accidental drowning'. The actor, who was earlier presumed to have died of natural reasons (cardiac arrest), has now been declared dead due to accidental drowning. This raises some questions.

  • If Boney Kapoor forced the bathroom door open at 6.25 pm as reports say, why was the police informed at 9 pm after seeking a Dubai based friend's advice.
  • Why was she not taken to the hosp courtesy the hotel emergency assistance service?
  • Whose version was it telling the world that Sridevi died of a 'massive attack'?

• 19:42 (IST)

  Sridevi's phone call records being analysed by investigators

  According to police sources, specific phone call records from 24 to 48 hours before the time of death are being closely looked at by the investigating agencies.  As per the sources, repeated phone calls by one specific individual is said to be the main focus of the probe agencies.

• 19:40 (IST)

  Family friend, politician Amar Singh Says Sridevi never consumed hard liquor

  Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh has said that Sridevi never consumed hard liquor and only drank wines on social occassions. He was reacting to reports that traces of alcohol have been found in her blood. 

• 19:33 (IST)

  Boney Kapoor asked to join investigation 

  The Dubai Public Prosecutor has called up Boney Kapoor and the hotel staff to join the investigation. The police is apparently trying to ascertain the exact circumstances that lead to the drowning of the veteran actor. 

• 18:29 (IST)

  Sridevi's mortal remains should reach India by midnight, says SP leader​ Amar Singh

• 18:02 (IST)

  Sridevi's body may not come back tonight; repatriation experts say 3 more papers needed: CNN-News 18

  CNN-News 18 reported that three more papers are needed to finish the repatriation process and it is not normal for Dubai authorities to release any papers after 4.00-4.30 pm (6.00 pm IST). In this case they may make an exception because a celebrity is involved but the chances that the body may be repatriated today appear slim. 

• 17:50 (IST)

  Now that Dubai Police has released the body for embalming and repatriation, is the probe over? Is it all clear? 

  The answer is a NO. And here’s why:

  The Dubai police, backed by state of the art equipment and a forensic laboratory that is comparable to anything in the world, have a first rate investigative record and have resolved crimes often in hours of their occurring.

  At this moment there is no crime committed but the police will investigate the circumstances that led to Sridevi’s death by drowning. The first step is to send the forensic report to the public prosecutor's office which will assess the merit of the case and then decide on further action. And if they believe that there are persons of interest who can shed light on the issue — whether it concerns the alcohol content in her blood or the reason why the bath tub was reportedly full or even why a friend was called by husband Boney Kapoor rather than the hotel doctor and support staff — they will detain and question anyone they feel can shed light on how she drowned.

  There is no guilt or suspicion and it is only procedure and the answers may well clear the air. . 

  If there is even a shred of doubt or a grey area they will not allow people to leave the country. The police probe is mutually exclusive from the medical report and the body’s release has no bearing on the police taking further steps.

  Much of the mess created in what will now be a trying time for all has been by conjecture. Indian media’s feeding frenzy and the premature conclusion that she died of a cardiac arrest is what has led to the confusion. It would be better to just let the police in Dubai get on with their task and till then a freeze on guesswork would be appropriate.

  The author is a Firstpost coloumnist and former editor of Gulf News and Khaleej Times

• 17:42 (IST)

  Arjun Kapoor, Anshula Kapoor reach Anil Kapoor's residence to pay their condolence    

• 17:39 (IST)

  Dubai public prosecutor questioning immediate family members in Dubai: CNN-News 18

  The Dubai public prosecutor is currently questioning the immediate family members of Sridevi about the circumstances around the actor's death. Police have said that no foul play is suspected but a investigation is still on. The police is investigating who was with the actor around the time of the accident. 

• 17:32 (IST)

  'Sridevi treated makeup artists, others as family'

  Subhash Shinde, who did Sridevi's make-up at actor Mohit Marwahs marriage in Dubai last week, says the late actress had "so much warmth and positivity" and always treated everyone, including make-up artistes, present on a film's set like a family.

  "I still cannot believe she is no more. I was there in Dubai with her for her make-up at Mohit Marwah's (her nephew) marriage. She was looking so pretty, happy and bright as ever. I came back two days ago, and on Saturday late night the news started coming in (about her death). I am still in shock," Shinde told IANS.

  "She was one of the icons with so much warmth and positivity. I started working with her after ‘English Vinglish' released (2012). She always treated, all of us, whether make-up artistes, dress people, everyone... like a family. We were one unit."

  Shinde said she would ask him if he ate on time and how his family was doing.

  IANS

• 17:25 (IST)

  Dubai Police transfers case to Dubai Public Prosecution

• 17:23 (IST)

  Authorities say Sridevi drowned following loss of consciousness   

• 17:13 (IST)

  Investigation underway to determine circumstances surrounding 'accidental drowning' 

  The exact circumstances that lead to the accidental drowning are not yet clear. CNN-News 18 reported that the forensic reports only said that accidental drowning caused the death but the reasons or causes which led to the accident are unclear. The news channel also said that a caridac arrest cannot be ruled out and may have led to the accident. 

• 17:04 (IST)

  Sridevi's body released by Dubai police for embalming

  Sridevi's body has been released for the 90-minute process of embalming. Her body will soon be moved to the Al Muhaisana embalming unit and will be repatriated to India at the earliest.

• 17:01 (IST)

  Sridevi died of accidental drowning, reveals autopsy report; traces of alcohol found in blood sample

  Quoting the forensic and autopsy reports of the actor, Gulf News reported that Sridevi died due to accidental drowning in the bath tub of her hotel room. However, the exact circumstances that lead to the "drowning" are not yet clear. 

  The Dubai-based news paper, however, said that the Sridevi was under the influence of alcohol because of which she may have lost her balance and she fell into the bathtub. Reports confirmed that her blood stream has shown traces of alcohol. 

• 16:42 (IST)

  Forensic report states cause of death as accidental drowning

  Image Credit: Gulf News

• 16:04 (IST)

  Sridevi getting ready for dinner with husband when she suffered cardiac arrest

  As anxious crowds milled around her Mumbai home and stars visited the family to pay their condolences, a Dubai paper reported that Bollywood superstar Sridevi was getting ready for dinner with husband Boney Kapoor when she suffered a cardiac arrest. Boney and Sridevi, 54, were in Dubai to attend nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding.

  On Saturday, Boney, who produced Mr India, which gave Sridevi one of her most remembered roles, flew back to Dubai to surprise his wife with a dinner, the paper reported.
   
   
  He reached the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel around 5.30pm (Dubai time) and woke her up and they chatted for about 15 minutes, the report said.
   
   
  Sridevi then went to the bathroom to get ready. When she didn't come out for 15 minutes, Boney knocked on the door. He did not get any response and forced open the door, to find her lying motionless in the bathtub that was full of water.
   
   
  "He tried to revive her and when he could not, he called a friend of his. After that, he informed the police at 9 pm," Khaleej Times quoted a source as saying. The police and paramedics rushed to the site, but she was pronounced dead. 
   
  PTI

• 15:58 (IST)

  Akshara, Shruti Hassan reach at Anil Kapoor's residence to pay condolences

• 15:47 (IST)

  Indian officials reach Bur Dubai police station

  According to CNN-News 18, Indian Embassy officials and family members of Sridevi have reached the Bur Dubai police station with the forensic report on the causes of her death. The police sources also said that Dubai police will soon hand over the body to Indian authorities for further procedures. 

• 15:34 (IST)

  Forensic reports released to Sridevi's family: Gulf News

  According to a report in Gulf News, the forensic report of the veteran actor has been handed over to her family and an embassy official. The reports haven't been opened yet.

  "It has been sent to the Bur Dubai police station. Both the representatives have gone to the police station with it. Once it is opened by Dubai Police and the information revealed to them, then the next step for the process of repatriation will be decided," the news report claimed.

• 15:23 (IST)

  Dubai Police rule out foul play, say death certificate to be issued soon

  According to CNN-News 18, the Dubai Police has ruled out foul play in the veteran actor's death. Police sources told the news channel that it would take three more hours to complete all formalities on its end, which includes giving an NOC and a local police visa for the repatriation of the body. The death certificate, however, is expected shortly.

• 15:06 (IST)

  Madhuri Dixit, Sriram Nene reach at Anil Kapoor's residence

• 15:02 (IST)

  Indian consulate officials say paperwork to conclude by 3.30 pm: Khaleej Times

  The Dubai-based news agency reported that Indian consulate have said the paperwork and all formalities are expected to conclude by 3.30 pm IST after which the Indian side can begin the procedure of bringing Sridevi's mortal remains home. 

  The report further said that the embassy official and Saurabh Malhotra, a relative of the Kapoor family, who were called inside the morgue earlier have been asked to leave and come back by 3.30 pm. 

• 14:53 (IST)

  Indian consulate to cancel Sridevi's passport after receiving autopsy report

  As part of the normal procedure, if a foreign national dies outside a hospital in Dubai, a police case has to be registered and an investigation is launched. 

  As per procedure, the body is first kept in the morgue at Al Qusais. After forensic examination, the body is handed over to the police, who issue a clearance after recieving the autopsy report. A death certificate is given and after that the police clears a visa for the deceased peron and subsequently, the Indian consulate in Dubai cancels their passport, issues a death certificate as well as a no-objection certificate. 

• 14:36 (IST)

  Sridevi and family were in Dubai for a marriage

  Sridevi, Boney, and their younger daughter Khushi Kapoor were in Ras Al Khaimah last week to celebrate the wedding of her actor-nephew Mohit Marwah. Boney had returned to Mumbai after the wedding, but decided to return to Dubai to "surprise" his wife.

• 14:31 (IST)

  Latest updates from Dubai

  According to Khaleej Times, an official from the Indian Consulate, accompanied by a family member, has been called inside the morgue. The report also adds that Dubai Forensic Department officials have ruled out a second autopsy on Sridevi's body.  

• 14:25 (IST)

  Lost out on going to school, college, said Sridevi

  In an interview with The New Indian Express in 2013, Sridevi spoke of missing out on a carefree childhood when she began working as an actor. 

  "I lost out on going to school and college life but I got into the film industry and worked without a gap -- from child actor I went straight to heroine. There was no time to think and I was grateful for it," she said.

  "In order to get something you have to lose something. You can't have everything in life. So I am happy with what I got." 

• 14:18 (IST)

  RECAP: Song shoot of Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor's 102 Not Out cancelled as a mark of respect

  Director Umesh Shukla says the shooting for the song titled 'Baadduummbaaa' for his upcoming film 102 Not Out was called off on 25 February due to the sudden demise of cine icon Sridevi. 

  According to sources, the shooting for the song was scheduled to start on 25 February with actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. The song has been composed by Big B.

  When IANS contacted him, Shukla said: "Yes as a mark of respect to the sudden and untimely demise of our legendary actress Sridevi, we decided to cancel our today's song shoot of 102 Not Out. May God give peace to her soul and strength to her family."

• 14:15 (IST)

  Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan reminisce about the actress, her prodigious talent

  "Sridevi Kapoor's astounding talent was not luck. It was well deserved and she worked for it from her childhood. I've known her from her teens. She was still a child when she came to work with me and Mr Balachander, my mentor, who sometimes gave me the responsibility of working with her, correcting her acting and shaping even her dance moves. When she came, she was not as talented as she later emerged out to be. But she learned every day. I was astounded by her climb. And every step of it, she worked for," said Haasan.

  Addressing the reporters in Chennai, Rajinikanth said, "Today morning only I got to know the news. I'm still not able to believe it's true. I'm yet to come terms with the sudden death of Sridevi ji. It's quite shocking. Boney Kapoor and I went for a dinner in Chennai only three months back. She's a very close friend and our friendship was 40 years long since she acted in my second film."

  Read full report here

• 14:05 (IST)

  After Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan to reach Mumbai shortly

  Kamal Haasan will be leaving for Mumbai by the 3:25 pm Jet Airways flight. He is going to meet Mr Boney Kapoor and family, his publicist reveals. 

• 14:02 (IST)

  Forensic report confirms Sridevi suffered heart attack

  The Times of India is reporting that forensic doctors in Dubai have concluded that Sridevi died of a heart attack. The report adds that there is nothing suspicious about the way the superstar passed away, official sources told the media outlet as saying. 

• 13:57 (IST)

  Senior journalist Zakka Jacob raises a pertinent point

• 13:54 (IST)

  Delay continues

  Khaleej Times is reporting that Sridevi's body is still in the morgue and the body may not be released soon. The report says that no exceptions have been made in the case due to Sridevi celebritiy status and the results will come out depending on the nature of the case. 

• 13:47 (IST)

  Fans gather outside forensics dept to catch final glimpses of Sridevi

• 13:20 (IST)

  Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar reach Anil Kapoor's residence

• 13:17 (IST)

  Reports of toxicology tests can lead to further delay in sending the body back

  The toxicology reports of tests done on blood and organs of Sridevi are expected to reveal the exact cause of her death. If the reports do not conclusively confirm a natural cause such as the reported heart attack, there will be further investigations which would mean even more delays for sending her body home, sources told Gulf News. 

  
   

• 13:15 (IST)

  Sridevi will be seen for the last time in Shah Rukh Khan's Zero 

  Sridevi will be seen on the big screen for the last time with Shah Rukh Khan in Zero. Sridevi has a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif starrer Zero. 

• 13:10 (IST)

  Farhan Akhtar, Saroj Khan at Anil Kapoor's residence

• 13:04 (IST)

  What Sridevi's Chandni co-star Rishi Kapoor writes about the actress in his memoir, Khullam Khulla

  ​

  Rishi in his book fondly recalls his first meeting with the versatile actress when he met her on the sets of Harmesh Malhotra’s Nagina. It was also an era when Sridevi was one from a lot of actors who were slightly reluctant to work with him because of he'd had a string of failures in Dosti Dushmani, Ek Chadar Maili Si and Sitamgar. Sridevi, on the other hand, had just delivered a super success with Karma. Rishi Kapoor candidly admits that he had hit a plateau at that time but she was gracious enough to work with him in Nagina.

  Read the full article here

• 12:54 (IST)

  Sridevi's mortal remains to reach Mumbai at 7 pm, says report

• 12:51 (IST)

  Jyotiraditya Scindia condoles Sridevi's death

• 12:46 (IST)

  Choreographers Saroj Khan, Remo D'souza reminisce about actress' dance prowess

  According to veteran choreographer, Saroj Khan, who had a long and special association with the actress, Sridevi didn’t take things easy and would come fully prepared for her shoot armed with different costumes, wigs and hair dos, and creative ideas — all well in advance. “She was very particular about what would finally be shown on screen and how she will be presented in every song. She would come on shoots with many suitcases. Even for her roles, she dressed appropriately and she always wanted to look the part,” said Khan, who worked with Sridevi on Khuda Gawah, Karma, Lamhe, Nagina and many more.

  Well-known choreographer-director, Remo D’souza regrets not getting a single chance to choreograph for Sridevi. Remo, who particularly likes her dance act in Chaalbaaz, says his first encounter with her was during an awards ceremony in Macau three years back. “She had to perform all her popular numbers and I was completely awe-struck by her when she was rehearsing.  She was a totally different person on camera. Towards the end Prabhu Dheva joined her on stage and it was such a delight watching her. She was one of the few actors to take dance to another level because she was proficient at both, western and classical forms. Apart from grace, she would give great expressions which very few can do,” said Remo, further adding, “Now I feel bad for not getting the opportunity to choreograph her. Ahmed was lucky. This regret will always remain with me."

  Read full report here

• 12:43 (IST)

  Sand artist Sudarshan Pattanaik's tribute to Sridevi

• 12:34 (IST)

  Boney's son Arjun Kapoor spotted outside Anil Kapoor's residence

  Image courtesy: Sachin Gokhale

• 12:30 (IST)

  Sridevi's funeral to have 'everything in white' 

  ABP News is quoting sources as claiming that Sridevi's last journey will be on a truck filled with white flowers.  The report adds that Sridevi always wanted everything to be in white when she dies and that her family is trying its best to fulfill the last wish.

• 12:25 (IST)

  Director Shekhar Kapur praises Sridevi's comic timing, tweets swquence from Mr India

• 12:11 (IST)

  Karan Johar tweets about 'unpredictability' of life

• 12:09 (IST)

  Forensics department yet to submit blood test report, says UAE media

  The forensics department are yet to submit blood test results to Dubai police for release of actor Sridevi's body, reports Khaleej Times. The reports adds that it is expected in the next couple of hours.

• 12:00 (IST)

  Manjul's tribute to India's first female superstar

• 11:57 (IST)

  Senior media expert hits out at rumour mongers

• 11:52 (IST)

  It’s been 24 hours since Sridevi left us heartbroken,taking away the sunshine from our lives, tweets Khushbu

• 11:50 (IST)

  Cartoonist Satish Acharya's tribute to Sridevi

• 11:48 (IST)

  Delay in release of body not unusual; all procedures laid down by UAE govt being followed

  Although the public has so far had very limited access to information about her death and the process of repatriation, reports suggest that all developments with regard to the release of the body are well in sync with general rules and regulations.

  To report a death outside a hospital, the UAE police needs to be called immediately, as per the official portal of the UAE government. Forensic reports have to be obtained from the police to investigate the cause of death. The authorities then fill out a death report and move the body to a government morgue.

  After the procurement of a death certificate, the document has to be submitted to UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The ministry registers the death and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation attests the death certificate, according to the official govt portal. In Sridevi's case, the forensic procedures were not rushed since she is a high profile personality, reports News18.

• 11:45 (IST)

  Farah Khan and Tabu reach Anil Kapoor's residence

• 11:41 (IST)

  Fans in Kanpur light candles to pay tribute

• 11:35 (IST)

  Sridevi's body only to released by late evening 

  According to India Today, veteran actor Sridevi's body will only be released by late Monday evening as Dubai police is still awaiting the final forensic report on the death. After receiving the report and issuing the death certificate, the body is likely to embalmed and then flown to Mumbai on a chartered plane. 

• 11:32 (IST)

  The procedure of issuing a death certificate in UAE

  After getting the official death certificate, register the death with the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Department of Naturalisation and Residency of the emirate of residence. Ministry of Health and Prevention will register the death, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will attest the death certificate and translation and the Department of Naturalisation and Residency will cancel the visa. The process for registering a death might vary from emirate to emirate and depending on the religion and the residential status of the deceased.

  In the case of the death of an expatriate, contact the embassy or consulate of his country in the UAE and inform them about his death for further formalities. Deceased expatriates may be cremated or buried in the UAE or their bodies may be sent to their home countries, on showing the requisite documents.

  If you wish the body of the deceased to be flown back to his home country, you will need the death certificate to be translated and duly attested. You will also need an NOC from the embassy or the consulate of the deceased. The diplomatic mission must cancel the passport and register the death in the home country.

• 11:31 (IST)

  Nothing sinister about the procedure; no delay in handing over Sridevi's body

  The UAE government has in place a system in such circumstances and will not be moved by either emotion or pressure. In the event of a visitor dying in a public place, or as it was in this case, a hotel room, outside of a clinic or hospital, the procedure will be followed. Until the viscera is examined, postmortem done, autopsy completed and reports correlated with the standard police investigation filed, the body will not be released.

  
  It is woefully wrong to read anything negative in this process. Somebody, whether famous or otherwise, died in a specific set of circumstances. Until every aspect of this development is checked and ticked, there will be a waiting period. This is normal and there is nothing sinister or untoward about it.

  Read full report here

• 11:16 (IST)

  Preparations underway for Sridevi's final rites

• 11:16 (IST)

  Shabana Azmi cancels Holi party as a mark of respect to Sridevi

• 11:15 (IST)

  Procedural clearances likely to take 3 to 4 hours

  According to Khaleej Times, Indian consulate officials and various social workers are gathering outside the hospital. The report claims that Indian officials are hopeful of all procedural work will be done by 1.30 pm (UAE time). The body is likely to reach India at around 4 or 4.30 pm. 

• 11:08 (IST)

  Karan Johar's moving tribute to Sridevi on Instagram

  ​

  "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....."

• 10:57 (IST)

  Sridevi's body will be ready for repatriation by 3.30 pm IST

  According to Khaleej Times, Indian consulate officials have said that after receiving the police clearance and forensic report, the other procedures including, immigration and embalming would be completed in the next 3 to 4 hours.

  The officials have confirmed to the UAE-based newspaper that they are hopeful that Sridevi's body will be ready for repatriation with all the completed procedures by 1 to 2pm (Dubai time). 

• 10:49 (IST)

  Sridevi had announced a collaboration with Gauri Shinde that will never happen

  Sharing a photo of her with director and producer Gauri Shinde four months ago on Instagram, Sridevi had hinted about the next project which could have been with the English Vinglish maker. 

• 10:37 (IST)

  Sridevi, the style icon: Glamorous, quirky, demure, outré — there was no look the actress couldn't carry off

  The lehenga is the colour of boiled pink candy; its gota border incandescent with all the insolent possibilities that dancing at a wedding can open up. Unencumbered by its girth, or by the weight of the jewelley that accessorises it, the wearer dances blithely. She is Chandni; she is the irrepressible beam of moonlight in Yash Chopra’s 1989 melodrama Chandni; she is actress Sridevi in the role of a lifetime.

  To refer to her in the past tense would be a disservice to the flamboyance of her oeuvre. For, a repertoire that spans Malayalam films like Poompatta (1971) to the Bollywood thriller Mom (2017) can hardly be relegated to the archives, now that Sridevi is no more. Her work makes it impossible to consign her to the realm of the dead. She lives, in the way her hips swayed or her eyes gleamed or her rounded syllables declared, “Dikhta nahin hai  kya? Beer bottles le rahi hoon!” (ChaalBaaz, 1989), or mischievously observed, “Sawaal ke jawaab mein sawaal nahi kiya jaata” (Lamhe, 1991).

  Read full tribute here

• 10:22 (IST)

  RECAP: Sridevi's body to be brought back in Anil Ambani's aircraft
   

  In a moving gesture, Indian industrial magnate Anil Ambani has sent an aircraft to Dubai to bring back Bollywood actress Sridevi Kapoor's body to India later on Sunday, sources said. The 13-seater private jet, (Embraer-135BJ) belonging to Reliance Transport & Travel Ltd, left Mumbai for Dubai around 1.30 pm on Sunday.

• 10:20 (IST)

  Superstar Rajinikanth arrives in Mumbai

• 10:18 (IST)

  Sridevi's nephew Mohit Marwah posts a heartfelt tribute on Instagram

• 10:11 (IST)

  Manish Malhotra recalls his association with Sridevi

  Manish Malhotra recalled his association with actress Sridevi and told News18, "I first met her in 1990 when she was already a superstar and I was beginning my career. Working with an icon I always called “Ma’am” was a turning point in my career, as it was the beginning of many associations and a longstanding friendship beyond work. We have seen each other grow professionally and personally - it was amazing to see the roles she blossomed into, her passion for painting, and the doting wife and mother she was.”

• 10:08 (IST)

  Saddened by Sridevi's demise, says Tibetan leader
   

  Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay on Sunday said he was saddened by the demise of Bollywood actress Sridevi in Dubai, saying that "like millions, he will miss her too".

  IANS

• 10:01 (IST)

  Celebrities continue to reach Anil Kapoor's residence 

  According to The Quint, several celebrities, including Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher, David Dhawan reached Anil Kapoor’s residence to offer their condolences to the family. 

• 09:59 (IST)

  From Chaalbaaz to Mr India, veteran actor's comic genius was exceptional

  Her early films earned her a career, no doubt, catapulting her to the top of an industry in which it was difficult to gain a toehold if you did not speak the language well. But this did not deter producers who lined up to capitalise on her box-office success. What she lacked in language and diction, she compensated for with her vulnerability and versatility, in particular her comic timing.

  Until then Hindi films, to a large extent, had a separate set of comic actors who complemented the leading man and lady. The lead pair seldom kneeled down to comedy, which was best left to supporting actors. But then there was Sridevi, a lead actress who confidently showcased her ability to turn a scene into something humorous and entertaining.

  Read full article here

• 09:56 (IST)

  The procedure before the body is flown back to India

  Reports said that once the forensic reports were handed over to Indian officials, Sridevi's body would be taken to Muhaisna for embalming. The process takes close to 90 minutes. The police will then issue a death certificate. According to news reports, the Indian consulate in Dubai will cancel the passport following which the immigration department will complete administrative procedures.

  The public prosecutor will then give permission to hand over the body and a private plane will fly the mortal remains of Sridevi to India.

  Read full report here

• 09:46 (IST)

  Mortal remains likely to be handed over after 10.30 am

  India Today is quoting the Dubai police department as saying that the autopsy certificate will be received by 8:30-9 am Dubai time (10-10:30 am IST). The report adds that once the report is clear, the mortal remains will be handed over to relatives for the final journey. 

• 09:28 (IST)

  Latest images from Sridevi's residence

• 09:25 (IST)

  Sridevi was later found unconscious in the bathtub

  After chatting for roughly 15 minutes with her husband, Sridevi reportedly went to the washroom where she suffered the massive attack and was found unconscious in the bathtub minutes later. "He (Boney) tried to revive her and when he could not, he called a friend of his. After that, he informed the police at 9 pm," the source told Khaleej Times.

  Read full report here

• 09:18 (IST)

  Last moments of Sridevi 

  According to a report in Khaleej Times, the legendary actress was getting ready for a dream dinner date with her husband Boney Kapoor in Dubai before she reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. According to the report, Boney had returned to Dubai in order to give a "surprise" to Sridevi. Both were supposed to return to Mumbai together. 

• 09:15 (IST)

  Tamil Nadu CM expresses grief over Sridevi's death

  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami expressed grief over legendary actress Sridevi's passing away, and said it "is a huge loss not only for Tamil filmdom, but to the entire Indian film industry."
       

  Lauding her as a "multi-faceted acting personality," he cited her performance in Tamil movies of the late 1970's and early 1980's - '16 Vayathiniley', 'Moondram Pirai', 'Sivappu Rojakkal', 'Priya' and 'Varumayin Niram Sivappu' - as proof of her acting skills.
     

  The chief minister conveyed his condolences to the next of kin of Sridevi and said he prayed that her soul rests in peace, PTI reported. 

• 09:09 (IST)

  Fans lose patience as body remains to be flown to India

  According to The Indian Express, crowds had gathered outside Sridevi's home in Lokhandwala on Sunday for a glimpse of the deceased superstar. However, awaiting the arrival of the funeral cortège, the dozens of fans finally lost patience.

• 09:07 (IST)

  Senior journalist Raza Rumi tweets emotional video of Sridevi

• 08:54 (IST)

  Anupam Kher expresses shock over Sridevi's death

• 19:13 (IST)

  Sridevi’s last rites to be conducted on Monday, 26 February

  Actress Sridevi’s last rites will be conducted at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai, at noon, news reports have said. Before the cremation, family and friends will pay their last respects at her bungalow, Bhagya, between 8-10 am.