Bollywood icon Sridevi died at the age of 54 on Saturday after suffering cardiac arrest in Dubai, NDTV reported citing the Press Trust Of India.
The legendary actress, who by marriage was also a part of the industry’s Kapoor dynasty, had traveled to the Emirati city for her nephew Mohit Marwaha’s wedding.
Fellow Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra tweeted in response to the news: ‘I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved #Sridevi. A dark day . RIP’.
Fall of an icon: Bollywood star Sridevi died at the age of 54 on Saturday after suffering cardiac arrest in Dubai, NDTV reported citing the Press Trust Of India
Priyanka followed that up by quoting Yeh Lamhe Yeh Pal, a song from a 1991 Bollywood movie starring Sridevi opposite her future brother-in-law Anil Kapoor.
‘Ye Lamhe , ye pal hum har pal yaad karenge.. ye mausam chale gaye toh hum fariyad karenge.. #RIPSridevi,’ read Priyanka’s excerpt from the lyric about fond memories.
Born in Tamil Nadu, Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapa began acting in south Indian cinema at the age of four and then veered into Bollywood, where she rocketed to stardom by way of the 1983 dramedy Himmatwala.
The belle époque of her career was the 1980s and 1990s, during which her releases included the superhero movie Mr India, the separated-at-birth comedy ChaalBaaz, the revenge fantasy Nagina and the romantic triangle drama Tohfa.
The last trip: Sridevi (right) who by marriage was also a part of the industry’s Kapoor dynasty, had traveled to the Emirati city for her nephew Mohit Marwaha’s (third from left) wedding
Professional respect: Fellow Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra tweeted in response to the news
Her polyglot filmography saw her work in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, and in 2013 she was fêted with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest of the civilian honours granted by the Government Of India.
Sridevi was in her heyday a massive box office draw, in addition to which she won five Filmfare Awards, the Hindi movie industry’s answer to the Oscars.
She allegedly began her affair with producer Boney Kapoor while he was still with his first wife Mona, as Mona recounted to DNA India more than a decade later.
In memoriam: The Quantico star wrote: ‘I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved #Sridevi. A dark day . RIP’
Throwback: Priyanka followed up by quoting Yeh Lamhe Yeh Pal, a song from a 1991 Bollywood movie starring Sridevi opposite her future brother-in-law Anil Kapoor
Mona, the late mother of Boney’s Bollywood star son Arjun Kapoor, claimed that by the end of her marriage ‘There was nothing left in the relationship to give it a chance because Sridevi was already with a child.’
After marrying Boney herself in 1996, Sridevi got another Filmfare nod for her performance in 1997’s Judaai before withdrawing from the movies.
A 15-year big screen hiatus followed, during which she and Boney brought up two daughters – Jhanvi, 20, and Khushi, 17.
The time eventually came when Sridevi itched to return to films, and she launched her comeback with the 2012 hit English Vinglish, which India submitted unsuccessfully to the Oscars.
Rise to fame: Sridevi began her career in south Indian cinema and then veered into Bollywood, where she rocketed to stardom by way of the 1983 dramedy Himmatwala
Her last film release was the 2017 thriller Mom, which was reported to be her 300th motion picture, and of which the Times Of India rhapsodized that ‘Sri demonstrates why she is the high-priestess of desi cinema.’
Khushi appeared in several of Sridevi’s Instagram posts documenting the wedding functions during the actress’ final trip to Dubai. She and Boney are said to have been with Sridevi at the time of her death, per the BBC.
Tributes poured in from Bollywood figures including Akshay Kumar, who co-starred with Sridevi in 2004’s Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin and tweeted Saturday: ‘Shocked beyond words to hear about the sad and untimely demise of #Sridevi.
Party of four: Sridevi is survived by her producer husband Boney Kapoor and their daughters Jhanvi and Khushi
‘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’.
Parineeti Chopra, who’s playing opposite Arjun in the forthcoming Namastey England, wrote: ‘CANNOT believe this. I have no words. Rip Sridevi ma’am. You were the most beautiful. Strength to Boney uncle, jahnvi, khushi and the whole family.’
Anupam Kher, having acted alongside Sridevi in over 10 films, erupted: ‘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…..’
From outside show business, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: ‘Saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi. She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances. My thoughts are with her family and admirers in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace: PM @narendramodi’.
An institution: Her polyglot filmography saw her work in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, and in 2013 she was fêted with the Padma Shri