DNA (March 4, 2018)

Mauritius and Bollywood have had a long-standing love affair. For decades, the Indian Ocean island nation has been a favourite with Hindi filmmakers. Its local population, which is part French and part a mix of all races including a strong segment that follows Bhojpuri cinema, has had a huge respect for all things Bollywood.

The Government of Mauritius hosts Hindi film producers on a regular basis. A source says, “This month, they were keen to host a group of eight to 10 film personalities. They wanted Sridevi, accompanied by her husband Boney Kapoor, to be the Chief Guest at the Women’s Day function, which is being hosted over the March 8 weekend. Now, this won’t be possible.”

IN THE MEANWHILE...
A stream of visitors continued to visit the Kapoors over the weekend. Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, who were conspicuous by their absence at the Celebration Club and at the funeral in Vile Parle on Wednesday, made a personal visit to Sridevi’s residence at Green Acres the same night. An insider says, “The Deols spent time with Boney and gave their condolences in person.”

On Thursday, too, the Kapoor khandaan — Anil, Sunita, Sanjay etc — was with Boney. Janhvi and Khushi, who are slowly coming to terms with the irreparable loss and have taken charge of the household. At the moment, their father is fully dependent on Anil and Sunita for major decisions pertaining to smooth functioning of his home. Late actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor’s wife, Krishna Kapoor, also reportedly dropped by to meet him on Thursday.

THE ASHES WERE FLOWN TO RAMESWARAM
Sridevi’s ashes were flown to Rameswaram for immersion via a private charter yesterday and the family returned the same night. As the funeral was delayed by three days, the Kapoors skipped the chautha (the prayer meet that happens on the fourth day after a person’s demise) that was being planned to be held at five-star hotel’s banquet hall on Tuesday in Mumbai.

However, they will have a puja to mark the 13th day in Chennai. Sri shared a close bond with the city as she grew up there. She also owned a house and farm-house in the capital of Tamil Nadu. As the family comes to terms with Sridevi’s demise, the treasure trove of her memories and her legacy is all they have to fall back on.