Sridevi died in Dubai after suffering a cardiac arrest. (File)
Veteran Bollywood actor Sridevi, who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades
died reportedly after a cardiac arrest in Dubai. The actor was in Dubai with her family to attend her nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding. Her sudden death has shocked Bollywood and her fans, many of whom gathered outside her residence in Mumbai.
Sridevi made her debut on silver screen at the age of four in Tamil movie
Thoonaivan. But it was only after five years, that she gained commercial success with Jeetendra-starrer "Himmatwala". She was one of the most sought-after artistes in the film industry. Sridevi has acted with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan and other superstars. The actor is also a known face in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films. She was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour in 2013. She is survived by her husband, Boney Kapoor, and two daughters, Janhvi and Khushi. Several members of the film fraternity and fans took to Twitter to express their shock and grief.
Here are the Highlights:
Director Karan Johar reaches the residence of Anil Kapoor in Juhu, Mumbai according to ANI reports.
Rajya Sabha MP, Amar Singh visits the residence of Anil Kapoor in Mumbai's Juhu according to ANI reports.
Sridevi's Family Says She Had No History Of Heart DiseaseBollywood icon Sridevi, whose death in Dubai last evening has shocked the nation, had no history of heart ailment, her brother-in-law and actor Sanjay Kapoor has said. The 54-year-old had collapsed in her hotel room in Dubai on Saturday evening and a medical team had failed to revive her. She was declared dead when she was taken to the hospital. The doctors said she had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Rajinikanth heads to Mumbai for Sridevi's funeral
The last rites are expected to be held in Mumbai tomorrow.
Navdeep Suri, Indian ambassador to the UAE told NDTV, "We are in touch with the family and local authorities to provide all possible assistance".
Routine forensic procedures are over. As soon as the report is released, Sridevi's body will be handed over to the relatives and flown back to India on a private jet.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed grief over Sridevi's death. "The news of her death left me heartbroken. She was an iconic artiste and her performance, both in Bollywood and south Indian films, was matchless," he said.
It feels like a bad dream. I couldn't believe until I saw it on TV. We worked together in several movies. Sridevi was a wonderful actress and mother. It was her dream to see her daughters rule silver screen just like her, but Jhanvi couldn't meet her mother in her last moments, says Jaya Prada
Hansal Mehta To Dedicate Film To Sridevi
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta says he was planning to approach Sridevi for his project, and has now decided to dedicate the project to her. "There will never be another Sridevi. I was about to approach her for a film. That film will now be dedicated to her. If it finds an actor," he said.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani expressed shock at the death of Sridevi who, he said, "was an iconic star of the Indian film industry."
"Her contribution transcended Bollywood, since she also starred in many Tamil, Telugu and other regional language films. In this sense, she symbolised Indian cinema's great role in national integration," the former deputy prime minster said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoles the death of Sridevi, saying her death is an "irreparable loss to the Indian film industry".
Rajasthan Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje condoled the death of Sridevi. "We have lost a strong actor. Her work in the field will always be remembered," Ms Raje said.
Anil Ambani's private jet flown to Dubai to bring back body of Sridevi, reports news agency ANI
According to an Airports Authority of India source, a private jet is being flown to Dubai to carry the late actor's body: PTI
"It is shocking and sad. Mr Kapoor (her husband) was with her," Sridevi's former manager Punkej Kharbanda told news agency AFP.
Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Singh Suri on Sridevi: Right now, police are engaged in forensics report. We are in touch with the family and local authorities to provide all possible assistance
Born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan in Tamil Nadu, Sridevi started acting at the age of four, appearing in several Tamil-language films in the 1960s and 1970s, and eventually dropping out of school for a career in the movies.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee: Absolutely shocked to hear about the demise of Veteran Artist and Superstar Sridevi. Deepest condolences to her family, friends and admirers. May god give strength to them in this dark hour of grief.
Veteran actor Hema Malini mourns Sridevi's death.
"Sadma" is considered to be one of the best films of Sridevi and Kamal Haasan's career. It was a remake of Tamil Film "Moondram Pirai" and starred both the actors. Kamal Haasan had received a National Award for his performance in "Moondram Pirai". Both the films were directed by Balu Mahendra.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to twitter to express his condolences.
A beautiful story just ended, says veteran director Shekhar Kapur in his tweet.
Union Minister Smriti Irani called the veteran actress Sridevi " a powerhouse of acting."
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," reported news agency ANI.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in his tweet 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,".
Actor Rajinikanth tweeted that "he has lost a dear friend and the industry has lost a true legend."
Sridevi acted as Rajinikanth's stepmother in Tamil movie "Moondru Mudichu" at the age of 13.
Actor Akshay Kumar expressed his shock at the veteran actor's demise. Both Akshay Kumar and Sridevi were seen together in film, "Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin," released in 2004.
President Ram Nath Kovind paid his condolences to Sridevi's family. He tweeted, "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."
"Sadma's lullaby haunts me now. We'll miss her": Kamal Hassan.
Sridevi got her first lead role in K Balachander's Moondru Mudichu, where she co-starred with Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth.
Actor Anupam Kher also took to Twitter to express his shock at the sudden demise of veteran actress Sridevi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses grief over Sridevi's death
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his grief and offered his condolences on the death of veteran actress Sridevi.
The Indian National Congress party also extended their condolences to the loved ones of actress Sridevi.
"You shall live on forever.." tweeted actress Mahira Khan. The actor, wife of producer Boney Kapoor, died late in the night reportedly due to cardiac arrest in Dubai.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt tweeted saying, "Jolted by the news of Sridevi's sudden death." The death of the veteran actress prompted an outpouring of grief among fans and fellow Bollywood actors.
Actress Anushka Sharma also offered her condolence on the death of the Bollywood legend.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, tweeted saying, "So sad to hear the news of the death of such a terrifically talented actress, performer and producer."
"Impossible to take your eyes off her when she appeared on screen" says actor Farhan Akhtar in his Instagram post.
He writes,"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."
Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director, Toronto International Film Festival, tweeted saying, "Shocked to hear of the passing of India's legendary Sridevi. Honoured to have been in her presence in 2012 when she visited Toronto for English Vinglish. She made countless millions fall in love with her characters."
"In her own way, she lit up the screen. No age to go." tweeted cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
Fans gathered outside the Mumbai residence of actress Sridevi in Andheri soon after the news of her death broke, news agency ANI reported.
Actor-Comedian Johnny Lever said his prayers were with the family.
"I am at a loss for words & jolted as if struck by lightening" says singer Adnan Sami
Actor Riteish Deshmukh also expressed shock and dismay on Twitter.
Bollywood is in shock with the sudden news of actor Sridevi's death. Preity Zinta said she was "heartbroken."
Actor Sidharth Malhotra also expressed his shock at the news.
"Can't Stop Crying" Says Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen wrote on Twitter that she was in shock.
Actress Priyanka Chopra shared her condolences on Twitter.
Several actors like Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta and Johny Lever posted condolence messages on Twitter shortly after the news of Sridevi's death broke.