Sridevi's death: Condolences pour in from across film industries and outside

One of Indian cinema's brightest stars, Sridevi, faded away late on Saturday night, sending shock waves through fans across the country. 

Actress Sridevi, arguably one of the greatest stars to have ruled both the Southern and Northern film industries, died in the United Arab Emirates of cardiac arrest last night. She was only 54.

Sridevi's younger daughter Khushi and a friend were with her in her final moments.

The actress had gone with family, bar older daughter Jahnvi, to attend actor Mohit Marwah's wedding in the UAE. She and Khushi had stayed on after the event.

Marwah is a nephew of Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor. Kapoor had returned to India after the wedding and was in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, when Sridevi breathed her last.

Several stars and celebrities from film industries across the country expressed shock and grief on learning of the death of the actress, who began her career in Tamil cinema and went on to rule Bollywood, as popular Hindi cinema is sometimes called.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook had condolence messages flowing in from across the country.

Two superstars who acted with her in her first Tamil film, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, were among the first to express grief.

"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," said Rajinikanth.

Kamal Haasan said, "I 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."

Several actresses expressed grief on learning of the death. Actress Gautami tweeted, "Shocked & heartbroken to hear she is no more. My all-time favourite and an iconic legend who has passed on too soon..."

Kajal Aggarwal, one of the leading actresses in Tamil and Telugu today, said, "Extremely sad and shocked to hear about the sudden demise of my most favourite actor and role model, Sridevi Ma'am... this must be so difficult, my heartfelt condolences to the family."

Well-known actress Sriya Reddy, sister-in-law of actor Vishal, too took to Twitter to express her grief. Calling it a dark day for Indian cinema, she said, "Woke up to the worst shock ever! An actress who re-wrote rules, did every role with so much conviction and was an idol for most women in how to be and how to look. She made the 50’s look like a walk in the park."

Andrea Jeremiah, one of the rising stars of the South, observed, "While Bollywood mourns the loss of its female superstar, the Tamil film industry mourns the loss of one of its finest actors... RIP Sridevi ... you will live forever through the wonderful body of work you left behind."

Although Anushka Shetty, one of the top stars of Telugu and Tamil cinema, does not tweet herself, her official account said she expresses her condolences on the sudden demise of the legendary actress.

Amyra Dastur, who, after working in Hindi cinema, also worked in Tamil films, paid tribute to the departed actress saying she was one of the reasons why she wanted to act.

Neetu Chandra, who has worked in a number of Tamil films, observed, "Even on the last day of her life she was the queen! You will always be a queen in our hearts and memories."

Sridevi, who has done considerable work in Telugu cinema too, was remembered with fondness by superstar Mahesh Babu, who tweeted: "Shocked and disturbed with the news of Sridevi garu's demise. She truly was the epitome of everything amazing as an actor and a woman. My all-time favourite actress... Gone too soon."

Several other Telugu stars also reacted with shock and grief.

Singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan said, "Just cannot imagine that Sridevi is not with us anymore!"

From Hindi cinema, too, condolences just kept pouring in. 

"I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved Sridevi. A dark day," tweeted actress Priyanka Chopra.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan said, "One of those actresses who got paid more than her male co-stars many times, definition of Woman Power and ultimate stardom. We all will miss you."

Her Mom (2017) co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui said,  "It’s heartbreaking news, can’t even imagine in the worst of my dreams — World loses the best performer. Condolences to the Family."

Director Ashutosh Gowarikar said, "Did not know that GODDESSES can be no more! Just CANNOT believe it!"

The tributes did not come just from film industry professionals, but also from a number of sportspersons and politicians.

India under-19 coach and former India captain Rahul Dravid tweeted, "Shocked to hear about the demise of Srideviji. Heartfelt condolences to the family!"

But perhaps the best tribute came from ace cinematographer PC Sreeram, who, in his brief tweet, summed up her life.