Sridevi's final journey: India bids farewell to Bollywood's first female superstar

Thousands of heartbroken fans line the streets of Mumbai as India bids farewell to Bollywood screen icon Sridevi following her shocking death from accidental drowning in a Dubai hotel bathtub aged just 54.

Sridevi’s mortal remains arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday night, around 72 hours after her sudden and shocking demise in Dubai.

PHOTO: ANI

Her body was taken to her residence in Green Acres, Lokhandwala, from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in a convoy. Tight security arrangements were in place both on the way and outside the house, as a cluster of fans gathered to get a glimpse of their beloved star.

Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor, brothers-in-law Sanjay Kapoor and Sandeep Marwah, sister-in-law Reena Marwah and stepson Arjun Kapoor were on the chartered jet which carried her mortal remains from Dubai to Mumbai.

PHOTO: ANI

Family members, Sonam Kapoor with boyfriend Anand Ahuja, Sanjay Kapoor and others made their way into the club where Sridevi's body has been kept.

Bollywood celebs such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Arbaaz Khan and many more visited Celebration Sports Club in Mumbai to pay their respects to Indian cinema's first female superstar.

PHOTO: ANI

After all the formal proceedings, Sridevi’s family has released an official statement on the untimely demise of the star and her funeral.

The statement read as, “Khushi, Janhvi, Boney Kapoor and the entire Kapoor and Ayyappan families are deeply bereaved and shocked with the untimely loss of Sridevi Kapoor. Late Sridevi Kapoor passed away in Dubai, UAE, on Saturday February 24th. We thank the film fraternity, media, fans of late Sridevi Kapoor and all the well-wishers for their prayers, support and sensitivity during our moment of immense grief. We request you to kindly join us in paying our last respect to a remarkable actor, beloved wife and loving mother.”

PHOTO: ANI

It further read as, “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.

Sridevi has been cremated with state honours. Arrangements have been made by the state government for the elaborate event. The late actor has been honoured with a gun salute and the body was draped in the national flag. Mumbai Police band has reached Celebration Sports Club.

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