Veteran actress Sridevi, 54, was getting ready at a hotel room in Dubai for a dinner date with her producer-husband Boney Kapoor before she suffered a cardiac arrest which led to her sudden demise, a media report said on Monday.

Boney flew back from Mumbai and went to her room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel at around 5.30 p.m., on Saturday to surprise her with the dinner, a source close to the family told the Khaleej Times.

He woke her up and the couple chatted for about 15 minutes before he invited her for dinner.

The MOM star then went to the washroom. After 15 minutes had passed and Sridevi did not come out, Boney knocked on the door to check on her.

When he got no response, he forced open the door to find the legendary actor lying motionless in the bathtub full of water, the source said.

"He tried to revive her and when he could not, he called a friend of his. After that, he informed the police at 9 p.m.," he added.

The police and paramedics rushed to the site, but she was pronounced dead.

Her body was taken to the General Department of Forensic Medicine for an autopsy.

Sridevi, Boney, and their younger daughter Khushi Kapoor were in Ras Al Khaimah last week to celebrate the wedding of her actor-nephew Mohit Marwah.

Boney had returned to Mumbai after the wedding, but decided to return to Dubai to surprise his wife.

The autopsy was completed on Sunday evening and the body is expected to be flown back via a private plane to Mumbai on Monday.

Sridevi (Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan) has fallen prey to the cruel destiny. She died of a cardiac arrest in Dubai. She was 54. From a child wonder at the age of four to a girl-woman of the 1970s, to the queen of the matinees in the 90s to a comeback queen in the current 20’s, no Indian actress has maintained such a steady hold on her followers that span decades, generations, languages and genders with sheer acting powers.

Born to a Tamil father and Telugu mother on 13 August 1963 in Tamil Nadu, Sridevi is a household name since decades, she was born in Tamil Nadu but was actually a god send gift to the silver screen.

At a time when insecurity and uncertainty looms over stardom and history of miserable comebacks of an icon like Amitabh Bachchan (MRITYUDAATA) and diva like Madhuri Dixit (AA NACHLE), the marvelous comeback of Sridevi in Gauri Shinde’s ENGLISH VINGLISH is a lesson on how legends should plan their comeback and shed inhibitions of their image while doing so. Sridevi who never had an expert training in dancing, is a role model in bollywood dancing and considered as a dance icon. In ENGLISH VINGLISH she only shook a leg for a short span of time and dominated the entire proceeding with her sheer acting brilliance.

She had the most immaculate understanding of the character and knew exactly how the character will behave in a given situation. Like dancing, Sridevi didn,t had a proper training in acting and when she excelled in SADMA as the mentally challenged girl, she was at par with the acting power house Kamal Haasan. It’s impossible to imagine SADMA without Sridevi, if Sridevi had faulted in displaying that childlike innocence and that magical comic timing laced with mannerisms which only she can do, SADMA wouldn’t have been the masterpiece that it is.

Sridevi had full faith in director Balu Mahendru, she followed his instructions and gave an immortal performance. In the current world of acting workshops and actors going through intense preparations and case study for a role, Sridevi did the role of a mentally challenged girl in SADMA without meeting any mentally challenged person. Call it magic, god gift, charisma or whatever, Sridevi as an actor knew exactly what the character wants from her.

Sridevi was a shy personality who preferred to stay away from the media, in spite of her personal life which had its shares of turmoil. The alleged affair with Mithun Chakraborty, her marriage with Boney Kapoor, being tagged as ‘thunder thighs’ when HIMMATWALA became a hit, the media went overboard but she maintained her habitual silence.
But once the camera was on, Sridevi was a different person, the actress who achieved the status of a female superstar in Indian cinema ruled Bollywood for decades starting with HIMMATWALA (1983). When Sridevi debuted with SOLVA SAWAN in 1979, she was unable to understand a single word in Hindi and later went on to demand a remuneration of about 1 crore in those times. She bagged double roles in movies starring Amitabh Bachchan ( KHUDA GAWAH) also in the remake of SEETA AUR GEETA – CHANDINI that starred Rajiniknath and Sunny Deol both super stars, this only speaks volumes of her popularity and super stardom.

Perhaps the only actress who can display versatile shades in a single film, in MR. INDIA, Sridevi was sensuous in ‘kate nahi katate’, bubbly and mischievous with all her trade mark mannerisms in ‘hawa hawai’, and pitch perfect in her comic timings as Charlie Chaplin in that hilarious scene from this film. Jokingly many people during those times said that the title of Mr. India should have been ‘Mrs. India’. In GUMRAH that also starred Sanjay Dutt, Sridevi with her powerful portrayal won hearts of the cinegoers. In LAMHE, she played the role of a women and an eighteen year old with remarkable conviction. Be it a movie starring Sridevi in lead or not, her presence in the film was enough to draw crowds to theaters.

Pain, joy, sorrow, anger, love, passion, innocence and laughter, Sridevi gave a walking, talking, laughing and dancing example to the word called ‘effortlessness’ with glee in flesh and blood. Diving into the oceans of human expressions, the actress without much formal training had the incredible quality to find that ‘pearl’ of brilliance like an expert diver every now and then.
Just say the word ‘Sridevi’ and a collage of on screen reincarnations will fill your heart – CHALLBAAZ, LAMHE, CHANDINI, NAGINA, SADMA etc, etc, the hazel brown eyes, the angelic cherubic face, the sing song voice with childlike innocence, the most incredible combo of an innocence face in a beautiful body that dances like a dream and expresses with outstanding brilliance on screen be it vulnerability or amazing maturity, Sridevi is a complete package, a complete actor and a solid performer. Versatility has been her ‘bharamaastra’ (weapon) since ages that has killed the criticism surrounding her. There would be no one like Sridevi ever. But alas her Brahmastra failed to defeat destiny.

How come destiny be so cruel to such an icon and inspiration who has had a gloriously illustrated career spanning 50 years on the 35th anniversary of HIMMATWALA today – 25 th February 2018.. the movie that brought Sridevi to stardom in Bollywood.
How fate can take such a bizarre turn for Boney Kapoor and family, Sridevi passed away just before a few months are left for her daughter Jhanvi’s debut movie DHADAK to release?. Its saddening to find that Boney Kapoor’s first wife Mona, died a couple of months before the release of her son Arjun Kapoor’s debut ISHAQZAADE? The unexpected, unwanted and untimely end of Sridevi on the 35th anniversary of HIMMATWALA is terribly shocking.

Sridevi reportedly had no history of any heart ailment. She clicked pictures at nephew Mohit Marwah’s wedding in Dubai where she reportedly collapsed in the hotel bathroom.

It will take time for the Kapoor’s who in a state of shock and grief, similarly for the countless followers of Sridevi to recover from the disturbing news.

After the condolence messages, Sridevi’s iconic songs and scenes will be played to lighten the mood in remembrance of the true diva who encouraged us to dance, made us happy and entertained.

The last rites will be performed when her body will be flown to Mumbai and when the smoke will go up in flames into the cloud, the ‘chandini’ (moonlight) of silver screen will embrace the chand (moon) in the sky but the immortal ‘lamhe’ the chandini ( Sridevi) has left for us will remain as they turn immortal. I have always believed that people never go, one day they decide to ‘stay’ forever. Sridevi – the eternal diva, the enigma, has not gone, ‘chandini’ (moonlight, happiness, joy, inspiration, hope) never goes it comes at every desirable ‘lamhe’.

Sridevi has not gone, The ‘chandini’ has decided to stay forever. 

Every time we see her personally or on screen, it would end up asking for more. It was her contagious smile and the entire pleasing demeanour. Sridevi Kapoor, born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan on 13th August 1963 had starred in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films other than her numerous Hindi films unfortunately passes away. Leaving her millions of fans in a state of shock ‘Sadma’. Sridevi died on 24th February 2018 in Dubai after suffering a (reported) massive cardiac arrest. She was with her producer husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi at her nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding function in Dubai. The news of her passing away was confirmed to by her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor.

Think of Sridevi and so many of her different avatars pop in your head and one finds it difficult to decide which is the best. From child artist in Julie to ‘bijli girane’ in Mr. India, Chandani to Khuda Gawah, Chaalbaaz to Nagin, her various hit films with Jeetendra and (brother-in-law) Anil Kapoor. Sridevi returned to films after a 15-year-long hiatus with English Vinglish (2012). The Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour in 2013. She was also voted 'India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years' in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the centenary of Indian cinema.

Her last and 300th movie was MOM, and this real life mom sadly could not see the launch of her elder daughter Janhvi’s first film DHADAK. 

Our deepest condolences. Rest in Peace SRIDEVI

The diva, the icon by the name Sridevi is no more.. The veteran actor died of cardiac arrest in Dubai. She was 54.
 
Sridevi was in Dubai to attend nephew Mohit Marwaha's wedding.

The superstar of Hindi cinema who ruled the industry for years was in Dubai with her husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter

Khushi to attend nephew and actor Mohit Marwah's wedding.

Her sudden death has shocked the Indian film industry and her followers are reaching outside her Mumbai house.

We at glamsham pray eternal peace for the departed soul

Rishi Kapoor and his son Ranbir don't see eye to eye on any issue. Both father and son have told me that the relationship is, at best, troubled and unfulfilled, and that father and son communicate through Neetu Kapoor.

While they agree to disagree on most issues, there is one thing that Rishi and Ranbir agree on. It is their aversion to the press. While Ranbir discreetly chooses to stay away from the paparazzi and secretly holds them responsible for his relationship problems (how? Don't ask). Rishi openly and contemptuously lashes out at the media at every given opportunity. This seems a little silly considering how much he likes to talk.

Rishi, of course, conveniently retracts when the situation gets sticky for him. Repeatedly, he puts his foot in his mouth and then blames the media for it.

In his latest outburst against the media, Rishi was joined by his elder brother Randhir, who complained that his grandson Taimur Ali Khan (daughter Kareena's son) was not getting a normal upbringing because of the intrusive paparazzi.

But, isn't the exposure of the child to the media the parents' choice? If Taimur and the earlier star-kid favourite AbRam are getting more attention than Aamir Khan's little son Azaad, does it mean Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are bigger stars than Aamir? Or that Taimur and AbRam are more popular children in the media than Azaad or Aaradhya?

No. Aamir has chosen to keep his son away from the limelight. And the Bachchans too have decided they will limit Aaradhya's public appearance.

"Normal" is a state of mind which most celebrities are progressively isolated from. Before seeking normality, Taimur's family needs to define it and decide what is normal for them. Being in the limelight is not normal for children from working-class homes. Being celebrity parents if you have a problem with your child getting undue public exposure, then the choice is yours.

Just say no. Unfortunately, it is not a "no" that Bollywood's biggest want. They want yes-men masquerading as mediapersons to write exactly what they want. Sadly, in the hunger for news, the entertainment media is swallowing every bone in the mistaken hope of finding some meat. This week there were two absurd reports which no one swallowed. One suggested that Shah Rukh Khan had turned down two roles offered by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

First, our actors should know it is extremely bad manners to talk about turning down roles. Nowhere else in the world do actors and their overzealous PR machinery speak on roles that are turned down. Secondly, which are these two films that Bhansali is making to offer them to Mr Khan? He hasn't even begun planning his next. Thirdly, at this juncture in his career, when the projects that he's choosing are letting him down, why would Mr Khan turn down Bhansali?

Even more ludicrous are reports that Priyanka Chopra is likely to do a sequel to AITRAAZ. So says producer Subhash Ghai. Is Priyanka Chopra mad to return to the role of a female predator who crawls and slobbers all over her employee Akshay Kumar. In this era of Harvey Weinstein, the last role Priyanka Chopra would play is that of a sexual predator.

Stars want to be politically correct in their postures both off and on screen. But for that to happen, they first need to look at their own lives and rectify the anomalies and contradictions. So please don't give interviews after downing a few pegs in the evening and then deny your quotes when you see them staring at you the next morning.

Rishi Kapoor and his son Ranbir don't see eye to eye on any issue. Both father and son have told me that the relationship is, at best, troubled and unfulfilled, and that father and son communicate through Neetu Kapoor.

While they agree to disagree on most issues, there is one thing that Rishi and Ranbir agree on. It is their aversion to the press. While Ranbir discreetly chooses to stay away from the paparazzi and secretly holds them responsible for his relationship problems (how? Don't ask). Rishi openly and contemptuously lashes out at the media at every given opportunity. This seems a little silly considering how much he likes to talk.

Rishi, of course, conveniently retracts when the situation gets sticky for him. Repeatedly, he puts his foot in his mouth and then blames the media for it.

In his latest outburst against the media, Rishi was joined by his elder brother Randhir, who complained that his grandson Taimur Ali Khan (daughter Kareena's son) was not getting a normal upbringing because of the intrusive paparazzi.

But, isn't the exposure of the child to the media the parents' choice? If Taimur and the earlier star-kid favourite AbRam are getting more attention than Aamir Khan's little son Azaad, does it mean Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are bigger stars than Aamir? Or that Taimur and AbRam are more popular children in the media than Azaad or Aaradhya?

No. Aamir has chosen to keep his son away from the limelight. And the Bachchans too have decided they will limit Aaradhya's public appearance.

"Normal" is a state of mind which most celebrities are progressively isolated from. Before seeking normality, Taimur's family needs to define it and decide what is normal for them. Being in the limelight is not normal for children from working-class homes. Being celebrity parents if you have a problem with your child getting undue public exposure, then the choice is yours.

Just say no. Unfortunately, it is not a "no" that Bollywood's biggest want. They want yes-men masquerading as mediapersons to write exactly what they want. Sadly, in the hunger for news, the entertainment media is swallowing every bone in the mistaken hope of finding some meat. This week there were two absurd reports which no one swallowed. One suggested that Shah Rukh Khan had turned down two roles offered by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

First, our actors should know it is extremely bad manners to talk about turning down roles. Nowhere else in the world do actors and their overzealous PR machinery speak on roles that are turned down. Secondly, which are these two films that Bhansali is making to offer them to Mr Khan? He hasn't even begun planning his next. Thirdly, at this juncture in his career, when the projects that he's choosing are letting him down, why would Mr Khan turn down Bhansali?

Even more ludicrous are reports that Priyanka Chopra is likely to do a sequel to AITRAAZ. So says producer Subhash Ghai. Is Priyanka Chopra mad to return to the role of a female predator who crawls and slobbers all over her employee Akshay Kumar. In this era of Harvey Weinstein, the last role Priyanka Chopra would play is that of a sexual predator.

Stars want to be politically correct in their postures both off and on screen. But for that to happen, they first need to look at their own lives and rectify the anomalies and contradictions. So please don't give interviews after downing a few pegs in the evening and then deny your quotes when you see them staring at you the next morning.

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh calls himself "a big trash talker" and says that he has no control over it.

Ranveer was speaking at an event on Friday here where Premier League announced him as their brand ambassador in India.

The film star said there is much banter among Bollywood actors when it comes to watching football matches.

"There is banter for sure. Banter is one of my favourite things. I am a big trash talker and sometimes even in formal sort of engagements, I am not able to control my verbal diarrhea.

"Abhishek Bachchan and Arjun Kapoor are both big Chelsea fans… so, we go back and forth bantering each other," Ranveer said.

Talking about his stint as the brand ambassador of the Premiere League in India, Ranveer said: "It is a matter of great honour and huge privilege. I genuinely believe this is the best league in the world."

He said he has been into the Premiere League for 17-18 years and with his appointment as its brand ambassador, he understands his role in growth and development of sports culture in India.

"I thoroughly enjoy it as I get to watch matches, to be part of these wonderful initiatives and to meet football legends… so it is a real treat and surreal. My Twitter bio says 'Living The Dream' and it feels exactly like that," Ranveer said.

Talking about his last released film PADMAAVAT, Ranveer said: "It's doing something I had never imagined. It's one of those rare films that sort of encompasses everything, be it critical acclaim, commercial success or love of the audience."

He said that PADMAAVAT is one of those "rare movies" that can be remembered 10-15 years down the line and people will still appreciate it then because of its timeless quality.

Ranveer has an interesting line-up of films which includes Zoya Akhtar's GULLY BOY, Rohit Shetty's SIMMBA and Kabir Khan's "83".

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh calls himself "a big trash talker" and says that he has no control over it.

Ranveer was speaking at an event on Friday here where Premier League announced him as their brand ambassador in India.

The film star said there is much banter among Bollywood actors when it comes to watching football matches.

"There is banter for sure. Banter is one of my favourite things. I am a big trash talker and sometimes even in formal sort of engagements, I am not able to control my verbal diarrhea.

"Abhishek Bachchan and Arjun Kapoor are both big Chelsea fans… so, we go back and forth bantering each other," Ranveer said.

Talking about his stint as the brand ambassador of the Premiere League in India, Ranveer said: "It is a matter of great honour and huge privilege. I genuinely believe this is the best league in the world."

He said he has been into the Premiere League for 17-18 years and with his appointment as its brand ambassador, he understands his role in growth and development of sports culture in India.

"I thoroughly enjoy it as I get to watch matches, to be part of these wonderful initiatives and to meet football legends… so it is a real treat and surreal. My Twitter bio says 'Living The Dream' and it feels exactly like that," Ranveer said.

Talking about his last released film PADMAAVAT, Ranveer said: "It's doing something I had never imagined. It's one of those rare films that sort of encompasses everything, be it critical acclaim, commercial success or love of the audience."

He said that PADMAAVAT is one of those "rare movies" that can be remembered 10-15 years down the line and people will still appreciate it then because of its timeless quality.

Ranveer has an interesting line-up of films which includes Zoya Akhtar's GULLY BOY, Rohit Shetty's SIMMBA and Kabir Khan's "83".

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Friday issued notice to both singer Papon and a TV entertainment channel after a video emerged of the singer inappropriately kissing a minor girl, an official said.

"We have seen the video and have gone through the written complaint which came to us from Supreme Court lawyer Runa Bhuyan. We felt this is a provocative case. Necessary legal action will be taken," the official added.

In a video that went viral on social media, Papon is seen celebrating Holi with the contestants of the singing reality show "The Voice India Kids". The artiste, who is also one of the judges on the show, can be seen planting a kiss on the girl's lips.

"We are following the legal procedure. We will ask for their version as well and accordingly, further action will be taken. We have guidelines on our website which clearly mentions rules for channels using children in their show," the official stated.

However, the girl's father said that Papon is a mentor and a father-figure to his daughter.

"What you saw in the video is not intentional. It was just a moment of affection that is being portrayed otherwise. I would request and urge the media to not pursue this further," he added.

Singer Papon has also apologised for touching a "girl child", saying he had "innocent thoughts", after a complaint against him for "inappropriately kissing" a minor.

"I am very painfully conscious of the accusations that have been made against me in the last few days. Anyone who knows me would be aware that I am an extremely affectionate and expressive person," Papon said in a statement.

"That is the way I have been brought up and that's how I have always been with people close to me or people I care for. To show affection for an 11-year-old child whom I have been mentoring for a while now is not an alien concept for me," he added.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Friday issued notice to both singer Papon and a TV entertainment channel after a video emerged of the singer inappropriately kissing a minor girl, an official said.

"We have seen the video and have gone through the written complaint which came to us from Supreme Court lawyer Runa Bhuyan. We felt this is a provocative case. Necessary legal action will be taken," the official added.

In a video that went viral on social media, Papon is seen celebrating Holi with the contestants of the singing reality show "The Voice India Kids". The artiste, who is also one of the judges on the show, can be seen planting a kiss on the girl's lips.

"We are following the legal procedure. We will ask for their version as well and accordingly, further action will be taken. We have guidelines on our website which clearly mentions rules for channels using children in their show," the official stated.

However, the girl's father said that Papon is a mentor and a father-figure to his daughter.

"What you saw in the video is not intentional. It was just a moment of affection that is being portrayed otherwise. I would request and urge the media to not pursue this further," he added.

Singer Papon has also apologised for touching a "girl child", saying he had "innocent thoughts", after a complaint against him for "inappropriately kissing" a minor.

"I am very painfully conscious of the accusations that have been made against me in the last few days. Anyone who knows me would be aware that I am an extremely affectionate and expressive person," Papon said in a statement.

"That is the way I have been brought up and that's how I have always been with people close to me or people I care for. To show affection for an 11-year-old child whom I have been mentoring for a while now is not an alien concept for me," he added.