Avinash Lohana and Shravan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 1, 2018)

In one of the biggest funeral processions, on par with Mohammed Rafi’s in July 1980 and Rajesh Khanna in July 2012, as close to 30-40 thousand fans turned up in busloads from as far as Chennai, Hyderabad and Rajasthan for Sridevi’s final journey. Draped in a maroon Kanjeevaram saree, complimented with gold temple jewellery, the actress’s body rested in a glass casket wrapped in the Indian tricolor. It was placed in an open truck decorated with garlands of mogra, her favourite flower, and a life-size portrait of her, which wended through the city’s streets choked with grieving fans towards the Vile Parle crematorium.

The six-kilometre drive which started at Sridevi’s Lokhandwala residence, took over two hours to complete. Craving one last glimpse of their idol, the pan-India star’s legion of admirers clambered up signals and lamp posts, and crowded into the Vile Parle skywalk which was in danger of collapsing. Cries of “sleeping beauty”, “devi” and “Sridevi amar rahe” filled the streets, as family members, including daughters Janhvi and Khushi, husband Boney Kapoor, his brothers, Anil and Sanjay, son Arjun and nephew Mohit Marwah with his new bride Antara, huddled together in the truck looking devastated.

Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi were among the first ones to arrive at the crematorium at 3:30 pm. Among other friends and colleagues who attended the funeral were Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Jeetendra, Randhir Kapoor, Imtiaz Ali and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Deepika Padukone accompanied by producer Juno Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra, Vidya Balan with producer-husband Siddharth Roy Kapur, Vivek Oberoi and father Suresh, Neil Nitin Mukesh and father Nitin Mukesh, Shraddha Kapoor with mother Shivangi and brother Siddhanth, Karan Kapadia with aunt Dimple Kapadia, Sara Ali Khan with mother Amrita Singh, Rani Mukerji with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant were spotted amongst the mourners too.

Among the politicians were Aditya Thackeray with mother Rashmi and Sanjay Nirupam. Industrialist Anil Ambani with wife Tina had been with the family since the body arrived around 9:40 pm from Dubai on Tuesday in his private jet. Sridevi, who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2013, was accorded full state honours, complete with a gun salute. Janhvi and Khushi paid their last respects before the body was consigned to the flames with husband Boney standing by quietly.

Many from the film fraternity paid their respects at a condolence meet scheduled at a club near Sridevi’s home from 9:30 am to 12 noon on Wednesday. Rekha who was among the first of the mourners, stood beside Sridevi’s body with designer Manish Malhotra and both wept quietly as they remembered their friend. Sonam Kapoor was inconsolable despite beau Anand Ahuja’s solid presence and a comforting hug from actress-friend Jacqueline Fernandez. By 10 am, Tabu, Nimrat Kaur, Manish Paul, Neelima Azeem, Jaya Prada, Ravi Kishan and director Subhash Ghai had had a quiet word with the family. While many celebs chose to walk in to the crematorium, Amitabh Bachchan took his car right inside the venue, like designer Masaba Gupta and producer-husband Madhu Mantena had done earlier that day at the Club. In the rush, South star Venkatesh had walked in with a large garland. Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan arrived with mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan and sister-in-law Shweta Bachchan. Sushmita Sen was there too, as were Akshaye Khanna, Satish Kaushik and Hema Malini with daughter Esha Deol. Vidhu Vinod Chopra was with Rajkummar Hirani. Also present were Fardeen Khan and Reena Roy.


Anil Kapoor’s actor-son Harshvardhan Kapoor was overseeing the arrangements in the morning.

It was peaceful for a while but then with the crowds growing and many fans breaking queue, the cops had to resort to lathi charge briefly. With folded hands, Sanjay Kapoor greeted the crowd.

After chants of “Om Namo Narayanaya” had filled the air during the prayer meet, there was smoke from burning incense sticks spiralling around giving the surrounding a surreal air as Sridevi’s body was taken out of the truck at 4 pm.

As the flames burnt bright, it was goodbye for India’s pan-India star two days before the festival of colours. The residents of the housing society on Wednesday cancelled all Holi celebrations as a mark of respect for their late neighbour.

As the sun went down the Kapoor, Ayappan and Marwah families, shared a note which read:

“The past few days have been trying times for us as a family. Today, particularly, has been one of the hardest. We laid to rest a beautiful soul who has gone too soon. She leaves behind a legacy that is unique. Her talent was undeniable, her beauty unmatched and her ability to connect with the audience was legendary. Sri had the same connect with her family as well. The one thing that helped us all get through these last few days, was the amazing amount of love and support from everyone — be it her many colleagues, to her innumerable fans, her caring friends and loving family, from across the country and the world. This outpouring of love is the memory that we would like Khushi and Janhvi to have of their mother… a woman who was loved unquestionably by everyone. Let us all who loved Sri envelope her two little ones, “her life”, as she often called them, with as much or more love than we gave Sri so that they can live their lives ahead with a little less ache in their hearts. Let us help them remember their mother fondly, with that beloved twinkle in her eyes, and help them build a life and be what Sri had dreamt for them.”

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; March 1, 2018)

She had a knack for bringing us together — every time she appeared on the big screen, we, in unison, would be left captivated by her charms. And she did it yesterday again — brought the country together as it bid the final goodbye to India’s first female superstar, Sridevi.

A sea of fans had gathered outside The Celebration Sports Club in Andheri from as early as 2 am yesterday, waiting to catch one last glimpse of Sridevi. The mortal remains were kept at the club, minutes away from her Lokhandwala home, so that fans could pay their last respects to the star who had enthralled them for the past four decades. More than 200 policemen were present at the venue to keep the teeming crowd in check. The hall had three entry points — one each for VIPs, the media and the public.

Inside the hall, Sridevi’s mortal remains were draped in a red Kanjivaram saree with a bindi on her forehead. Sonam and Rhea Kapoor were by daughters Janhvi and Khushi’s side as the two were inconsolable, while Boney Kapoor put on a brave front. Anil and Sanjay Kapoor received the guests. Rani Mukerji, who has often expressed her admiration for the superstar and shared a deep friendship with her, lent her support to the family.

Bollywood came out in full force to pay homage to the actor, who left behind a legacy that very few will be able to match. Madhuri Dixit Nene, who enjoyed a healthy competition with the superstar in their heydays, was one of the first to arrive with husband Sriram Nene. From yesteryear actors like Hema Malini, Rekha and Rakesh Roshan to the current crop including Ajay Devgn and Kajol, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor, B-Town celebs grieved the loss of one of the brightest talents. Jaya Bachchan walked in with daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai while an emotional Vidya Balan came to bid adieu to her idol. Manish Malhotra, who considered Sridevi his muse and his closest friend, is said to have broken down in the final moments.

At the end of the condolence meet, the icon, who was conferred with Padma Shri in 2013, was given state honours as the Mumbai police offered her the Guard Of Honour and draped her body in the tricolour.

The actor began her final journey as mourners kept jostling for space to catch a glimpse of her cortege as it slowly made its way through the city to the Vile Parle crematorium. Some of the fans even tried to break through the barricades, forcing the police to resort to lathicharge. The body of the 54-year-old, who died in Dubai on Saturday, was taken in a hearse that was bedecked in white flowers. Her filmmaker husband, along with Arjun Kapoor, and other family members were beside her in the hearse.

Several stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Rohit Shetty and Farhan Akhtar came to the crematorium for the last rites. The surging crowd made it difficult for the stars to reach the venue. In fact, Sonam too had a tough time to reach the crematorium. After a few rituals, Boney preformed the mukhaagni [last rites] bidding the final adieu to his wife.

As an important chapter of his life came to an end, Boney issued a statement saying, “I am blessed to have the support of Arjun and Anshula [Kapoor, Boney’s children], who have been such pillars of strength for myself, Khushi and Janhvi. Together as a family we have tried to face this unbearable loss... To the world she was their Chandni, but to me she was my love, mother to our girls... She was the axis around which our family ran... Rest in peace, my love.”

DNA (February 26, 2018)

Last week, when Sridevi headed to Dubai for the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah (her husband Boney Kapoor’s sister’s son), she was in a happy frame of mind.

Accompanied by her hubby and younger daughter Khushi (two of her favourite people besides elder daughter Janhvi), Sri packed the best Manish Malhotra outfits and matching jewellery, all set to dazzle at the sangeet and other ceremonies leading up to the marriage. 

Photographs of her with Khushi went viral online and naturally so, as she looked resplendent.

Post the wedding on February 20, Sri posted her picture with the bride and the groom from the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in UAE. Introducing Mohit’s bride as ‘Antara Marwah’, the actress who wore a beautiful green embellished lehenga with banarasi dupatta beamed away.

Janhvi missed the festivities because she was shooting in Mumbai for Dhadak. A source says, “Sri and Boney had seen some of the rushes of Janhvi’s debut film and the star mother was proud of her little baby.”

Post the wedding, Boney flew back to Mumbai with daughter, Khushi. Contrary to her nature, Sri decided to stay back in Dubai for a couple of days. She wanted to spend time with a relative. A source said, “Her sister, Latha, was there in Dubai.”

However, on Saturday at 3.30 pm, IST, Boney took a flight to Dubai to surprise Sri. His co-travellers were Sanjay Dutt and his twins — Iqra and Shahraan.When he reached the hotel, Boney told his wife that they would go for dinner. A source adds, “Sri stepped into the bath and was getting ready to step out for dinner when she had a cardiac arrest.” Boney got her medical aid, but it was too late.

On Sunday morning, Boney’s younger brother Sanjay Kapoor and producer Rajat Rawail took the 4 am flight to join him in Dubai and make arrangements for Sri’s body to be flown back to Mumbai. Last heard, Sanjay Dutt, who was devastated when he heard of Sri’s demise in Dubai, was desperate to reach Boney.

Shravan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 26, 2018)

The news started trickling in early on Sunday, an hour after midnight. Sridevi had been taken ill in Dubai where she’d gone to attend the wedding of husband Boney Kapoor’s nephew, Mohit Marwah. The actress was accompanied by Boney and younger daughter Khushi. Her older daughter, Janhvi, had stayed back in Mumbai to shoot for her debut, Dhadak. At around 2 am it was confirmed that Sridevi (54) had suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

The local police quickly made arrangements to handle the swelling crowds who started gathering outside their matinee idol’s Lokhandwala home by mid-day. Amidst tight security, a few filmwallahs tried to venture inside, among them Shashank Khaitan who is directing Dhadak. He was stopped by the guards and let in after some phone calls.

Veteran actor Ali Khan also dropped by as did Anurag Basu who admitted he had met the actress just five times and regretted meeting her so late in his career. He mentioned that Sridevi had been a fine painter and spoke about her fondness for laddoos when they had met last during Saraswati pooja.

Anil Kapoor, with daughter Sonam, flew in from Patiala where they had been filming for Shelly Chopra Dhar’s directorial debut, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. Boney’s son Arjun also flew in from Chandigarh. He had just kicked off Vipul Shah’s Namaste England with Parineeti Chopra and rushed straight to his chachu’s Juhu bungalow, where they were joined by Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra and Anupam Kher. Later, Rekha, Aruna Irani, Rani Mukerji, Vaibhavi Merchant, Satish Kaushik, Neelima Azeem dropped by.

All through the day there were reports that Sridevi’s remains was being flown down in a private jet but the funeral would only take place on Monday. Post 9 pm, an official statement was issued on behalf of the Kapoor’s, Ayyappan and Marwah family thanking the media for their support.

“Late Sridevi Kapoor’s body will arrive in India tomorrow (Monday). We will update you on all further information as and when it is available to us,” the release stated.

'Boney Found Her In Bathtub Full Of Water In Dubai Hotel’
THE TIMES OF INDIA (February 26, 2018)

Film star Sridevi was getting ready for a dinner date with her husband Boney Kapoor in Dubai on Saturday evening when she suffered a cardiac arrest at their hotel room and died, reported the Khaleej Times.

Quoting a source close to the family, the daily said Kapoor flew back from Mumbai and went to her room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel around 5.30pm to “surprise” her with dinner. He woke her up and the couple chatted for about 15 minutes.

The report said that she then went to the washroom. After 15 minutes passed and she did not come out, Kapoor knocked on the door to check on her. When he got no response, he forced open the door to find her lying motionless in the bathtub 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 9pm,” said the source.

 Indian envoy in touch with Dubai cops, family awaits autopsy report
The police and paramedics rushed to the hotel, but she was pronounced dead. Later, her body was taken to the General Department of Forensic Medicine for an autopsy. Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, and younger daughter Khushi Kapoor were in Ras Al Khaimah to celebrate the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah. Her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor told Khaleej Times: “We are still in a state of shock and are heartbroken ... She had no history of heart disease.”

The hotel refused to comment on the matter and an employee said the matter was under police investigation, the report said. The autopsy was completed on Sunday evening and the body is expected to be flown back to Mumbai on Monday. India’s consulate general in Dubai tweeted it “is in constant touch with high authorities of Dubai police to expedite formalities so that the mortal remains can depart for India ASAP (as soon as possible).”

Meanwhile in Mumbai, a statement was released on behalf of the family saying that they were shocked by the “untimely loss”. The body will arrive in Mumbai on Monday, it said.

Crowds started swelling outside the actor’s home in Green Acres in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, prompting traffic police to cordon off part of the road. Many were expected to wait till the family returned to Mumbai with the body, for a cremation likely to be held in Juhu on Monday. The Kapoors, including patriarch Surinder and sons Boney and Anil, own multiple houses in the Lokhandwala-Juhu precinct. Mourners led by actress Rekha arrived to pay condolence at Anil Kapoor's residence.