Sridevi’s death mystery finally put to rest; funeral today
DUBAI/MUMBAI: The body of Bollywood icon Sridevi, whose sudden death triggered a frenzy of grief, disbelief and searching questions, was flown back to Mumbai on Tuesday night after Dubai authorities determined that she had accidentally 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 on Tuesday, Dubai Public Prosecutor’s Office put an end to speculation about the cause of her death, saying she accidentally drowned in the bathtub following the 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 on Wednesday around 3.30 p.m.
The 54-year-old Bollywood icon was in Dubai to attend a family wedding. Her death late Saturday sent shock waves across India with those who knew her at a loss to explain how the star could die so suddenly.
At first, it was reported that she had died of cardiac arrest, triggering questions and disbelief. However, it later emerged that she had drowned in the bathtub in her room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel. As more speculation swirled, the Dubai government’s media office said in a series of tweets that the case is now closed.
In its statement, the family said her body would 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 could also pay their respects “provided the 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.