Bollywood in Sadma : The Tribune India

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Bollywood in Sadma

From southern movie stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, veterans like Anupam Kher, Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit-Nene and younger celebrities like Farhan Akhtar and Alia Bhatt — celebrities were in disbelief of Sridevi’s demise at the age of 54.

Bollywood in Sadma

The Last Mile: Sridevi with her daughter Khushi Kapoor



From southern movie stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, veterans like Anupam Kher, Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit-Nene and younger celebrities like Farhan Akhtar and Alia Bhatt — celebrities were in disbelief of Sridevi’s demise at the age of 54.

“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,” tweeted Rajinikanth, who featured with her in the memorable ChaalBaaz.

Kamal Haasan, her co-star from Sadma — one of her most evocative performances — 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.” Actress-politician Hema Malini wrote: “Sridevi’s sudden passing away has left me in deep shock. Can’t imagine how such a bubbly person, a wonderful actor, is no more. She has left a void in the industry that cannot be filled. Boney is a good friend and I’ve seen their daughters grow up. My prayers are with the family.” Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli wrote: “The first Lady Superstar of the Country. Fifty of those 54 years as an actress par excellence. What a journey...and such an unexpected end. May your soul rest in peace.” Before her entry into Bollywood, the actor had been a known face in South Indian films. She made her debut as a child artiste in Tamil film Thunaivan in 1969. She also worked in Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films.

Sridevi was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, in 2013.

Sridevi was in Dubai with husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi when she breathed her last. Her elder daughter Jahnvi, who is due to make her Bollywood debut, was in Mumbai.

Sridevi and the rest of the family was in Dubai to attend a family wedding, and she exuded elegance in her appearances — photos and videos that are now being shared on social media as her “last”.

Author Chetan Bhagat wrote: “She never seemed to age, and now she is suddenly gone. We grew up watching her, and she was still going strong. Can’t believe she’s not there anymore. God bless her soul.” Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar recounted his time with Sridevi from Lamhe.

“My first job in 1990 was on Lamhe and this song Megha re megha was the very first time I saw this legendary actor create her incredible magic on screen. From Sadma to ChalBaaz, from Mr.India to Chandni, it was impossible to take your eyes off her when she appeared on screen.

“A true star. A gifted actor. A woman with tremendous dignity. Gone too soon. RIP Sridevi. Sad sad day.” 

Akshay Kumar tweeted: “Shocked beyond words to hear about the sad and untimely demise of #Sridevi. 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.” 

“Our industry will never be the same again. She was the kindest soul apart from being a Giant performer. The heavens are lucky.” Actress Alia Bhatt tweeted: “Nothing makes sense. I have no words... just completely shocked. RIP Sridevi. My icon forever. Love you.” Composer Vishal Dadlani wrote: “Srideviji was a megastar in her own right. She put the early cracks in the glass ceiling and paved the way for female megastars that came after her. Her reinvention and comeback has been brilliant too. We lost more than a star, today. We lost a pioneer.” Expressing grief over the sudden demise of veteran Bollywood actress Sridevi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  said she was “one of the most popular actors of a generation”.

“Saddened at the untimely passing away of Sridevi, one of the most popular actors of a generation. Condolences to her family, her colleagues in the industry and fans,” Banerjee tweeted.

“My heartfelt condolences to everyone in the family. I join all the millions of her fans in mourning her demise...” Aamir wrote in a statement on Twitter.

Director Shekhar Kapur, who worked with Sridevi in the iconic Mr India called the actor’s death the end of an era. “Sridevi... gone. It’s like an era is over. Like life turning a new chapter. A beautiful story just ended. An amazing spirit just vanished leaving us with amazing love, memories, and incredible grief,” he wrote. Director Subhash Ghai called the actor “the uncrowned queen of acting in all languages in her times”.

“I am deeply grieved for this shocking loss. Sridevi has not been one of the finest actor  but the finest actor of indian of cinema since 1985. Introvert by nature, she was electricity with thunder in front of camera. She would shock directors by her each shot taken on her on the sets, may it be dance drama or romance. “She maintained her dignity and integrity as an actor and person both constantly at any cost in this demanding industry,” Ghai said.

Showbiz queen Ekta Kapoor tweeted: “The strongest women have the weakest hearts sometimes.” —IANS, PTI

Fans gather outside Sridevi’s house  

The air outside Sridevi’s residence is heavy with grief as fans of the veteran actor continue to queue up to catch one last glimpse of their Chandni.

Ever since the news broke out, Sridevi’s Lokhandwala home - where she used to live with her husband Boney Kapoor and two daughters Janhvi and Khushi - witnessed a steady stream of ardent fans assembling outside her house to pay their respects.

Meanwhile, no celebrity has visited her residence yet. Two police vans have been stationed and the security, too, has been beefed up to avoid any commotion outside her residence. Sridevi went on a hiatus for 15 years after starring in home production — Judaai — co-starring with her brother-in-law actor Anil Kapoor and Urmila Matondkar. It was director Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish in 2012 that marked her comeback to the silver screen. Sridevi was last seen in revenge-drama — Mom — alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna. —PTI 

Amitabh’s intuitive tweet

Members of the film industry took to Twitter to express their grief over her shocking demise and offered condolences to the family. Minutes before the news of her death broke, her Khuda Gawah co-star Amitabh Bachchan posted a tweet saying he was feeling uneasy. His tweet has left the Twitterer wondering if Big B had a premonition about the death of the veteran actress. Na jaane kyun, ek ajeeb si ghabrahat ho rahi hai (Don’t know why, there’s a weird anxiety),” the 75-year-old tweeted.

Hate God for killing Sridevi: RGV

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has cursed God for killing the veteran Bollywood actress. Varma expressed his shock and anger by posting a lengthy emotional note on Twitter. He posted: “I so hope I am still having a bad dream, but I know I am not. I hate Sridevi. I hate her for making me realise that she too is finally only just a human being. I hate that her heart too has to beat to live. “I hate that she too has a heart which can just stop like anybody else’s. I hate that I lived to see the messages informing me of her death. I hate God for killing her.” —IANS

No history of heart disease

Sridevi’s brother-in-law and actor Sanjay Kapoor has said the whole family was in shock with the sudden demise of the veteran actress. He also said that she had no history of heart ailment. The actress, 54, died on Saturday night at around 11 p.m. after suffering a cardiac arrest. In an interview to Khaleej Times, Sanjay said that she was in the hotel room here when it happened.  “We are completely shocked. She had no history of a heart attack,” he said. Sanjay landed in Dubai on Sunday morning.  —IANS

Kamal Haasan, her co-star from Sadma — one of her most evocative performances — 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.”

Tweets

HRITHIK ROSHAN

I loved her, admired her so much. My 1st ever acting shot was with Sri Devi, I was nervous in front of her n I remember her shaking her hands pretending 2b nervous cause of me just 2 boost my confidence. V had 2 laugh,n she kept laughing until I got it right. Will miss you mam.

Raj Babbar....

Memories of doing the 1986 Suhagan with her came in a flash, her versatility - her power to completely transform herself in front of the camera. #Sridevi ji - always a legend. There will never be another.

Adnan Sami 

I am at a loss for words & jolted as if struck by lightening at this late hour of the night to learn about the shocking & tragic news & untimely demise of #Sridevi ji. Heartbroken. She was India’s sweetheart, an incredible artiste & a beautiful human being. Gone too soon

Actor Anupam Kher, who worked with Sridevi in a multitude of films like Lamhe, ChaalBaaz and Karma, said: “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.” He said he wants to remember her as “happening, vibrant, brilliant, beautiful, bestest and unique”.

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