On 24th February 2018, the country lost a gem of the Indian film industry. Sridevi, the first female superstar to have made a mark across India’s various cinema platforms took her last breath in Dubai. She was attending nephew Mohit Marwah’s wedding with her husband Boney Kapoor and daughter, Khushi. The legendary actress passed away from accidental drowning after losing consciousness in her hotel room bathtub, where she was found by her husband. Her remains were transferred to India by Ashraf Thamarasery, a 44-year-old Indian from Kerala who signed off the official documents to bring her back to the country. She was then flown to India on 27th night in a private plane owned by Anil Ambani.
Bollywood and fans paid their final respects to the star at Mumbai’s Celebration Sports Club on 28th February. The funeral of the Padma Shri winning veteran actress was held at 3:30 PM post the gathering and her last rites were performed with state honours, as arranged by the Maharashtrian government – complete with a gun salute and her mortal remains wrapped in a tricoloured flag.
Hundreds of her fans and well-wishers gathered outside the sports club to show their respect, towering over the building and waiting across the street. “Since I heard the news about her death, I have been standing outside her home for two to three hours every day, waiting for one glance,” Bhagirathi, an aspiring actress, told BBC about Sridevi who was her inspiration.
Another fan, Kalpanaben Kodekar, who had travelled all the way from Gujarat to catch a glimpse of the actress said, “I’m really grateful that they allowed us inside and not just the celebrities. We’ll always feel the void Sridevi’s departure has created.”
The three-hour journey from the sports club to the Vile Parle Seva Samaj crematorium was undertaken in a truck covered with streamers of rajnigandha flowers; said to be the actress’ favourite.
Here are some of the stars who were present at the Celebration Sports Club:
Shahrukh Khan
Jeetendra
Sonam Kapoor & Anand Ahuja
Shraddha Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor & Mira Rajput
Shubhash Ghai
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Jaya Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Deepika Padukone
Arjun Kapoor
The family finally spoke to the media and put out a release on their social media platforms as a final obituary to the actress, wife, mother and friend.
— SRIDEVI BONEY KAPOOR (@SrideviBKapoor) February 28, 2018
Thanks @MumbaiPolice pic.twitter.com/g6JaucW2N6
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) March 1, 2018
Everybody in the industry said goodbye to Sridevi in their own special way. Some found it hard to believe and the others had a few last words they wished they could have shared with the actress.
Shahrukh Khan
How can one not just feel love & beauty & be grateful for a life that became a part of yours in some small way by making it prettier….isn’t it just easier to feel love & give towards that life, even in death…the comfort of appreciation and gratitude.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) February 28, 2018
Shraddha Kapoor
Sushmita Sen
Kajol
Preity Zinta
Hema Malini
Arrangements were so well made that the whole atmosphere was tranquil, everything was smooth & executed with finesse – befitting the departed soul. Goodbye dear friend!🙏
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) February 28, 2018
Paid my last respects to Sridevi. The entire industry was there grieving, some on the verge of breakdown. Such was her aura & magic in films. She lay there, beautiful in a red saree, serene in death & totally at peace. 😢
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) February 28, 2018
The whole film industry is trying to come to terms with this tragedy. We have lost a wonderful member whose life has been dedicated to the entertainment field for so many decades. It is only right that we be allowed to grieve in peace.
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) February 27, 2018
A beautiful girl, a wonderful actress, a lovely human being – Sridevi -has so suddenly been snatched from our midst. What is most needed now is compassion for her 2 young girls deprived of their mother and for her grieving husband. (Contd)
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) February 27, 2018
Amitabh Bachchan
T 2729 –
“रहने को सदा देहर में आता नहीं कोई
तुम जैसे गये ऐसे भी जाता नहीं कोई”~ कैफ़ि आज़मी.देहर – means .. the world .
Javed Akhtar narrated this sher to me at funeral of Sridevi .. said it was written at time of Guru Dutt demise ; but so appropriate for today ..— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 28, 2018
Rishi Kapoor
Henceforth no more Moonlit nights! Chandni gone forever. Alas! pic.twitter.com/VUuO3dQebL
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) February 25, 2018
Rajnikanth
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 #RIPSridev … you will be missed.
— Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) February 25, 2018
Kamal Haasan
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
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 25, 2018
Juhi Chawla
Can’t believe this .. I just woke up and heard the news !!! It’s sad and terribly shocking !! I’ve always been such a fan of Sriji !! How fragile is this life we take for granted !! 😣😣😣
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) February 25, 2018
My favorite all time films , Chandni , Chaalbaaz , Mr India , Lamhe … I used to watch Sridevi my favourite actress .. mesmerized .. cute, doll like , sexy , sad , funny .. you name it she did it !! Magic on screen !!
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) February 25, 2018
When we named our daughter Jahnavi .. I had called up Sriji to say ,my baby had the same name as her daughter ..!!☺️💕😣…… how time… and life .. fly ..🙏
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) February 25, 2018
First Reema Lagoo , now Sridevi …two absolutely gorgeous women on screen … gone in a flash … 😣………………. then again …. ………………….maybe it’s a blessing … 🙏……………
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) February 25, 2018
Madhuri Dixit-Nene
Just woke up to the terrible news of Sridevi passing. My heart goes out to her family. The world has lost a very talented person who left behind a huge legacy in film. #RIPSridevi
— Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) February 25, 2018
Anupam Kher
SHOCKING. JOLTED. Am I having a horrible dream. Sridevi no more? This is SO SO SAD. AND SO SO NOT FAIR. One of the most brilliant, elegant and talented actresses ever. The queen of Indian cinema. And a friend. Worked with her in so many movies. So many amazing memories…..
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 25, 2018
This is how I will always want to remember #Sridevi – Happening, Vibrant, Brilliant, Beautiful, Bestest and Unique.🙏🙏 #QueenOfIndianCinemaSridevi pic.twitter.com/Om4Yi0IbxR
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 25, 2018
“We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us and of those who we love. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss.”🙏
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 26, 2018
अगर बेचनी ही है तो न्यूज़ बेचो अपनी आत्मा नहीं !!! 🙏 #Sridevi
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 27, 2018
“Closed eyes, heart not beating, but a living love.”🙏 #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/TDgJYy4qjm
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 28, 2018
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 🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 25, 2018
Alia Bhatt
Farhan Akhtar
Rest in peace, Sridevi and we will never forget you.
Images: Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Reuters
