Megastar Sridevi Dies In Dubai, Forensic Tests Delay Return To India

MUMBAI: The country is mourning Bollywood icon Sridevi, who died last evening in Dubai following a cardiac arrest. The 54-year-old, who had dominated the silver screen in the 80s, had gone to Dubai to attend a family wedding.

Sridevi had collapsed in her hotel room on Saturday evening. A medical team had failed to revive her and she was declared dead at a hospital, Indian ambassador in UAE Navdeep Suri told NDTV.

Her body will be released after the routine forensic procedures, he said. “Right now, the police are engaged in forensics report. We are in touch with the family and local authorities to provide all possible assistance,” Mr Suri told reporters.

The last rites will be held in Mumbai, but the date for it is yet to be announced.

The family has said Sridevi did not have any history of heart ailments.

“We are completely shocked. She had no history of a heart attack,” Sanjay Kapoor had told Khaleej Times, reported news agency IANS. Mr Kapoor reached Dubai this morning after receiving the news.

The actor’s sudden death has hit the nation hard. Videos of Sridevi at the wedding of nephew Mohit Marwah, which she had gone to attend, are being widely shared on social media. The gorgeous visuals underscore why many are having difficulty reconciling her sudden death.

COMMENTSSridevi was loved by millions for her roles in iconic movies like “Sadma”, “Lamhe” “Mr India”, “Chandni” and “Himmatwala”. A versatile actor, she had ruled not only in Bollywood, but also the Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industry.

After her marriage to director Boney Kapoor, Sridevi had taken a 15-year break from movies. She made a triumphant return in 2012 with “English Vinglish”, which received rave reviews from critics.