Mortal remains of Sridevi reaches Mumbai; funeral set for Wednesday
Dubai: The body of Bollywood icon Sridevi, whose sudden death triggered a frenzy of grief, disbelief and searching questions, was flown back to Mumbai today after Dubai authorities determined that she had accidently drowned in her hotel bathtub.
Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought her body in a private jet after three days of uncertainty over her unexpected death on Saturday in Dubai.
Earlier today, Dubai Public Prosecutor’s Office put an end to speculation about the cause of her death, saying she accidentally drowned in the bathtub following loss of consciousness, and that the “case was now closed”.
It did not say what caused the 54-year-old superstar to lose consciousness. The Embraer jet, owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, landed in Mumbai around 9.30 p.m. and the cremation is scheduled tomorrow around 3.30 p.m.
Ending speculation over Bollywood diva Sridevi’s sudden death, the Dubai Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday that she accidentally drowned following loss of consciousness and that her body was “released” to the family after a comprehensive probe.
Sridevi’s funeral will take place on Feb. 28 late afternoon here, the family said in a statement.
In a detailed announcement, the family said that her body will be kept at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala for people to pay their last respects before it is taken for cremation.
“On behalf of Khushi, Janhvi, Boney Kapoor, the entire Kapoor and Ayyappan families, a sincere thanks to the media for your continued sensitivity and support during this emotional moment,” the statement read. It said that well-wishers can pay their condolences from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at Celebration Sports Club, Garden No 5, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West.
The family said that the media can also pay their respects “provided camera, recording devices etc. are left outside the venue. The last journey will commence at 2 p.m. from Celebration Sports Club to Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery.”
The cremation will take place at around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The 54-year-old actress, known as Indian cinema’s first woman superstar, passed away in her hotel room in the Jumeirah Emirates Towers late on Saturday.
Three days after the actress was found dead, the family was finally given custody of her body. Family members, including her filmmaker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, took the body from the morgue to get it embalmed before heading to Dubai airport for her final journey home. A private jet had flown to Dubai from Mumbai on Sunday, a day after her death. Dubai Media Office, the official Twitter handle of the media office of the government, said in a series of tweets that the case is now closed.
“Dubai Public Prosecution has approved the release of the body of the Indian actress Sridevi to her family following the completion of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of her death,” it said.
“Dubai Public Prosecution stressed that all regular procedures followed in such cases have been completed. As per the forensic report, the death of the Indian actress occurred due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness. The case has now been closed.”
The actress leaves behind her husband Boney and their two daughters Jhanvi and Khushi.
The Consulate General of India in Dubai also confirmed on Twitter that Dubai Police had given permission to take the body for embalming.
Arjun Kapoor reached Dubai this morning to be with his father. “Arjun has gone to Dubai this morning to be with his father at the hotel while the formalities are being wrapped up and to oversee the return journey,” said an official statement from the family in Mumbai. The Dubai Police said on its Twitter handle on Monday that Sridevi drowned in her bathtub after she lost consciousness. The case was transferred to the Dubai Public Prosecutor’s office, which carried out further investigations and procedures followed in such cases, it said.
“Following the completion of post-mortem analysis, Dubai police headquarters today stated that the death of the Indian actress Sridevi occurred due to drowning in her hotel apartment’s bathtub following loss of consciousness,” it said.
Sridevi was in Dubai for a family wedding and had stayed back after the ceremonies. Her husband had flown back to Mumbai with their younger daughter Khushi, but returned to Dubai to surprise her, reports said.
The news of her death, first reported at around 3 a.m. IST on Sunday, sent shock waves across India.
In Mumbai, industry insiders and friends visited the family in the home of actor Anil Kapoor, Boney’s younger brother. With their father away, Khushi and Jhanvi were at their uncle’s Juhu home. Director Anees Bazmi, who has worked with Boney Kapoor on “No Entry”, was amongst the visitors today. “It is a big shock for everyone. I have worked with the entire Kapoor family. I can’t imagine what Boneyji would be going through at this point. He loved her very much. Their two daughters are so young. It is a sad situation. “I have not told the family about what the media is reporting. It is sad, unfortunate. A person like her does not deserve this,” Bazmi told PTI while referring to the sensational TV coverage of the death.
The others who have called on the family in their hour of grief include Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tabu, Rekha, Farah Khan and Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi.
There were also huge crowds outside Sridevi’s home at a Lokhandwala building.
Flight with Sridevi’s body lands in Mumbai
Mumbai: The private jet carrying late actor Sridevi’s body has landed in Mumbai. Anil Kapoor and other members of the Kapoor family are there to receive the body. Industrialist Anil Ambani is also at the airport.
Earlier in the day, Dubai Prosecutor’s Office ruled out any foul play in her death and released the body to her family.
Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, took the body from the morgue, got it embalmed and flew back home. The cremation is scheduled tomorrow around 3.30 p.m.
Sridevi, known as Indian cinema’s first woman superstar, leaves behind her husband Boney Kapoor and their two daughters Jahnvi and Khushi.
In its statement, the family said Sridevi’s body will be kept at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala near her home for people to pay their last respects from 9:30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. before it is taken for cremation. The family said media can also pay their respects “provided camera, recording devices, etc are left outside the venue”. “The last journey will commence at 2 pm from Celebration Sports Club to Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery,” it said.
