• Home
• /
• UAE

Family, fellow actors shocked at Sridevi's untimely death

Dubai - Bollywood celebrities took to social media platforms to pay their tributes to the iconic actress

It was a dark day for the movie industry as legendary Indian actress Sridevi passed away on Saturday night, in Dubai.
Fans from around the world mourned the shocking death of India's first female superstar. The 54-year-old actress died of a massive cardiac arrest while staying at the Emirates Towers hotel.
Her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor spoke to Khaleej Times on Sunday morning, after landing in Dubai: "Sridevi suffered a heart attack last night. She was in the hotel room in Dubai when it happened." When we asked him if she had any history of heart problems, he said" "All of us are in the state of shock as she had no history of heart ailments."
She was in the UAE for the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah, who married Antara Motiwala in a ceremony in Ras Al Khaimah last week. She was seen dancing, enjoying and in her best spirits in photos and videos that were shared widely on social media. While husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi were also in attendance at the wedding, elder daughter Jhanvi was shooting for her debut movie Dhadak, in Mumbai.
Sridevi's stepson Arjun Kapoor was present at the wedding and later went back to India to shoot for his upcoming film. At an outdoor shoot, he rushed to his uncle Anil Kapoor's residence in Mumbai on Sunday, where both Jhanvi and Khushi are said to be right now.
One of Sridevi's closest friends, fashion designer Manish Malhotra was by her side throughout the wedding celebrations at RAK.
Paying tribute to his favourite actress and friend, he said: "Sridevi and I first met in 1990 when she was already a superstar and I was just beginning my career. Working with an icon I always called 'ma'am' was a turning point in my career, as it was the beginning of many associations and a longstanding friendship beyond work.
"We have seen each other grow professionally and personally - it was amazing to see the roles she blossomed into, her passion for painting and the doting wife and mother she was. I met Sridevi recently in Dubai and we just had so much to share. The news that she is no longer with us comes as a shock. I will always cherish the precious memories of a friend who was an iconic superstar. At this point, all my thoughts are with Sridevi's family and I request for privacy as we honour a friend and we grieve her loss."
Movie celebrities took to social media platforms to pay their tributes to the iconic actress.
Rajinikanth, who acted with her in a few Tamil films and in Chaalbaaz, said: "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. Sridevi, you will be missed."
Sridevi and Kamal Haasan, one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated pairings in the 70s and 80s and her co-star in Sadma, which propelled her to fame in Bollywood, said: "Have witnessed Sridevi's life from an adolescent teenager to the magnificent 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."
Young actress Alia Bhatt tweeted: "Nothing makes sense. I have no words... just completely shocked. RIP Sridevi. My icon forever. Love you."
arti@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai