Crowds flocked to catch a glimpse of their favourite Bollywood superstar Sridevi for the last time on Wednesday as her mortal remains were kept for public viewing.
Fans dressed in white, and holding a bundle of white lilies in their hands gathered outside Celebrations Club in Lokhandwala, Andheri to mourn the actor's untimely demise.
The gathered public was allowed to pay their respects through a separate back gate,which they could enter from, whereas those from the filmworld, politicians, friends and family entered from the main gate to pay homage to Sridevi, who died on Sunday.
As the actor's body was moved inside the Celebrations' Club for public homage from 9:30 am, people crowded the street outside the venue, as the police struggled to control the crowd along with the cars coming in. A mild lathi charge had to be ordered as some fans ended up blocking the traffic.
Raziya Shaikh, a resident of Nalasopara had to be in queue for two hours to catch one last glimpse of her favourite childhood actress. "It was really chaotic, I was not able to see her properly. I have watched her movies ever since I was a kid, I don't have a favourite Sridevi movie, I love them all."
Celebrities such as Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Nita Ambani, Neetu Singh, Mahima Chaudhary and Rakhi Sawant were seen entering the venue. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also expected to pay a visit to offer his condolences.
As the crowds grew in numbers, the gate for fans to enter from was closed. "There are too many people trying to enter," a policeman on duty said.
The 54-year-old will embark on her last journey, scheduled to end at the cremation ground next to Pawan Hans in Juhu, Vile Parle, at 2 p.m., after which the cremation ceremony is scheduled to be at 3.30 p.m.
