Bollywood superstar Sridevi Kapoor, considered by many to be one of the biggest names in Hindi cinema, has died after suffering a heart attack in Dubai,

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Actress Sridevi’s last rites will be conducted at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai, at noon, news reports have said. Before the cremation, family and friends will pay their last respects at her bungalow, Bhagya, between 8-10 am.

According to The Indian Express , crowds had gathered outside Sridevi's home in Lokhandwala on Sunday for a glimpse of the deceased superstar. However, awaiting the arrival of the funeral cortège, the dozens of fans finally lost patience.

The chief minister conveyed his condolences to the next of kin of Sridevi and said he prayed that her soul rests in peace, PTI reported.

Lauding her as a "multi-faceted acting personality," he cited her performance in Tamil movies of the late 1970's and early 1980's - '16 Vayathiniley', 'Moondram Pirai', 'Sivappu Rojakkal', 'Priya' and 'Varumayin Niram Sivappu' - as proof of her acting skills.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami expressed grief over legendary actress Sridevi's passing away, and said it "is a huge loss not only for Tamil filmdom, but to the entire Indian film industry."

According to a report in Khaleej Times, the legendary actress was getting ready for a dream dinner date with her husband Boney Kapoor in Dubai before she reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. According to the report, Boney had returned to Dubai in order to give a "surprise" to Sridevi. Both were supposed to return to Mumbai together.

After chatting for roughly 15 minutes with her husband, Sridevi reportedly went to the washroom where she suffered the massive attack and was found unconscious in the bathtub minutes later. "He (Boney) tried to revive her and when he could not, he called a friend of his. After that, he informed the police at 9 pm," the source told Khaleej Times.

India Today is quoting the Dubai police department as saying that the autopsy certificate will be received by 8:30-9 am Dubai time (10-10:30 am IST). The report adds that once the report is clear, the mortal remains will be handed over to relatives for the final journey.

Mortal remains likely to be handed over after 10.30 am

The public prosecutor will then give permission to hand over the body and a private plane will fly the mortal remains of Sridevi to India.

Reports said that once the forensic reports were handed over to Indian officials, Sridevi's body would be taken to Muhaisna for embalming. The process takes close to 90 minutes. The police will then issue a death certificate. According to news reports, the Indian consulate in Dubai will cancel the passport following which the immigration department will complete administrative procedures.

The procedure before the body is flown back to India

Until then Hindi films, to a large extent, had a separate set of comic actors who complemented the leading man and lady. The lead pair seldom kneeled down to comedy, which was best left to supporting actors. But then there was Sridevi, a lead actress who confidently showcased her ability to turn a scene into something humorous and entertaining.

Her early films earned her a career, no doubt, catapulting her to the top of an industry in which it was difficult to gain a toehold if you did not speak the language well. But this did not deter producers who lined up to capitalise on her box-office success. What she lacked in language and diction, she compensated for with her vulnerability and versatility, in particular her comic timing.

According to The Quint , several celebrities, including Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher, David Dhawan reached Anil Kapoor’s residence to offer their condolences to the family.

Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay on Sunday said he was saddened by the demise of Bollywood actress Sridevi in Dubai, saying that "like millions, he will miss her too".

Manish Malhotra recalled his association with actress Sridevi and told News18 , "I first met her in 1990 when she was already a superstar and I was beginning my career. Working with an icon I always called “Ma’am” was a turning point in my career, as it was the beginning of many associations and a longstanding friendship beyond work. We have seen each other grow professionally and personally - it was amazing to see the roles she blossomed into, her passion for painting, and the doting wife and mother she was.”

In a moving gesture, Indian industrial magnate Anil Ambani has sent an aircraft to Dubai to bring back Bollywood actress Sridevi Kapoor's body to India later on Sunday, sources said. The 13-seater private jet, (Embraer-135BJ) belonging to Reliance Transport & Travel Ltd, left Mumbai for Dubai around 1.30 pm on Sunday.

To refer to her in the past tense would be a disservice to the flamboyance of her oeuvre. For, a repertoire that spans Malayalam films like Poompatta (1971) to the Bollywood thriller Mom (2017) can hardly be relegated to the archives, now that Sridevi is no more. Her work makes it impossible to consign her to the realm of the dead. She lives, in the way her hips swayed or her eyes gleamed or her rounded syllables declared, “Dikhta nahin hai kya? Beer bottles le rahi hoon!” (ChaalBaaz, 1989), or mischievously observed, “Sawaal ke jawaab mein sawaal nahi kiya jaata” (Lamhe, 1991).

The lehenga is the colour of boiled pink candy; its gota border incandescent with all the insolent possibilities that dancing at a wedding can open up. Unencumbered by its girth, or by the weight of the jewelley that accessorises it, the wearer dances blithely. She is Chandni; she is the irrepressible beam of moonlight in Yash Chopra’s 1989 melodrama Chandni; she is actress Sridevi in the role of a lifetime.

Sridevi, the style icon: Glamorous, quirky, demure, outré — there was no look the actress couldn't carry off

Sharing a photo of her with director and producer Gauri Shinde four months ago on Instagram , Sridevi had hinted about the next project which could have been with the English Vinglish maker.

Sridevi had announced a collaboration with Gauri Shinde that will never happen

The officials have confirmed to the UAE-based newspaper that they are hopeful that Sridevi's body will be ready for repatriation with all the completed procedures by 1 to 2pm (Dubai time).

According to Khaleej Times , Indian consulate officials have said that after receiving the police clearance and forensic report, the other procedures including, immigration and embalming would be completed in the next 3 to 4 hours.

"I danced to hawa Hawaii when I was in school.....I have seen every film of hers multiple times....I met her with shaking hands and feet on the sets of my fathers film GUMRAH....and felt I had arrived when she called me for the first time .....every time I met her I had a star struck moment and a fan boy vibe....I don’t think I can believe it...perhaps I don’t think I want to believe that she is no more... she is a huge reason I love the movies....I feel like Indian cinema just lost its smile....the heavens are fortunate they just inherited a gift of life.....heartbroken....."

According to Khaleej Times, Indian consulate officials and various social workers are gathering outside the hospital. The report claims that Indian officials are hopeful of all procedural work will be done by 1.30 pm (UAE time). The body is likely to reach India at around 4 or 4.30 pm.

It is woefully wrong to read anything negative in this process. Somebody, whether famous or otherwise, died in a specific set of circumstances. Until every aspect of this development is checked and ticked, there will be a waiting period. This is normal and there is nothing sinister or untoward about it.

The UAE government has in place a system in such circumstances and will not be moved by either emotion or pressure. In the event of a visitor dying in a public place, or as it was in this case, a hotel room, outside of a clinic or hospital, the procedure will be followed. Until the viscera is examined, postmortem done, autopsy completed and reports correlated with the standard police investigation filed, the body will not be released.

Nothing sinister about the procedure; no delay in handing over Sridevi's body

If you wish the body of the deceased to be flown back to his home country, you will need the death certificate to be translated and duly attested. You will also need an NOC from the embassy or the consulate of the deceased. The diplomatic mission must cancel the passport and register the death in the home country.

In the case of the death of an expatriate, contact the embassy or consulate of his country in the UAE and inform them about his death for further formalities. Deceased expatriates may be cremated or buried in the UAE or their bodies may be sent to their home countries, on showing the requisite documents.

After getting the official death certificate, register the death with the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Department of Naturalisation and Residency of the emirate of residence. Ministry of Health and Prevention will register the death, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will attest the death certificate and translation and the Department of Naturalisation and Residency will cancel the visa. The process for registering a death might vary from emirate to emirate and depending on the religion and the residential status of the deceased.

According to India Today, veteran actor Sridevi's body will only be released by late Monday evening as Dubai police is still awaiting the final forensic report on the death. After receiving the report and issuing the death certificate, the body is likely to embalmed and then flown to Mumbai on a chartered plane.

After the procurement of a death certificate, the document has to be submitted to UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The ministry registers the death and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation attests the death certificate, according to the official govt portal. In Sridevi's case, the forensic procedures were not rushed since she is a high profile personality, reports News18.

To report a death outside a hospital, the UAE police needs to be called immediately, as per the official portal of the UAE government. Forensic reports have to be obtained from the police to investigate the cause of death. The authorities then fill out a death report and move the body to a government morgue.

Although the public has so far had very limited access to information about her death and the process of repatriation, reports suggest that all developments with regard to the release of the body are well in sync with general rules and regulations.

Delay in release of body not unusual; all procedures laid down by UAE govt being followed

It’s been 24 hours since Sridevi left us heartbroken,taking away the sunshine from our lives, tweets Khushbu

The forensics department are yet to submit blood test results to Dubai police for release of actor Sridevi's body, reports Khaleej Times. The reports adds that it is expected in the next couple of hours.

ABP News is quoting sources as claiming that Sridevi's last journey will be on a truck filled with white flowers. The report adds that Sridevi always wanted everything to be in white when she dies and that her family is trying its best to fulfill the last wish.

Well-known choreographer-director, Remo D’souza regrets not getting a single chance to choreograph for Sridevi. Remo, who particularly likes her dance act in Chaalbaaz, says his first encounter with her was during an awards ceremony in Macau three years back. “She had to perform all her popular numbers and I was completely awe-struck by her when she was rehearsing. She was a totally different person on camera. Towards the end Prabhu Dheva joined her on stage and it was such a delight watching her. She was one of the few actors to take dance to another level because she was proficient at both, western and classical forms. Apart from grace, she would give great expressions which very few can do,” said Remo, further adding, “Now I feel bad for not getting the opportunity to choreograph her. Ahmed was lucky. This regret will always remain with me."

According to veteran choreographer, Saroj Khan, who had a long and special association with the actress, Sridevi didn’t take things easy and would come fully prepared for her shoot armed with different costumes, wigs and hair dos, and creative ideas — all well in advance. “She was very particular about what would finally be shown on screen and how she will be presented in every song. She would come on shoots with many suitcases. Even for her roles, she dressed appropriately and she always wanted to look the part,” said Khan, who worked with Sridevi on Khuda Gawah, Karma, Lamhe, Nagina and many more.

Rishi in his book fondly recalls his first meeting with the versatile actress when he met her on the sets of Harmesh Malhotra’s Nagina. It was also an era when Sridevi was one from a lot of actors who were slightly reluctant to work with him because of he'd had a string of failures in Dosti Dushmani, Ek Chadar Maili Si and Sitamgar. Sridevi, on the other hand, had just delivered a super success with Karma. Rishi Kapoor candidly admits that he had hit a plateau at that time but she was gracious enough to work with him in Nagina.

What Sridevi's Chandni co-star Rishi Kapoor writes about the actress in his memoir, Khullam Khulla

Sridevi will be seen on the big screen for the last time with Shah Rukh Khan in Zero. Sridevi has a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif starrer Zero.

Sridevi will be seen for the last time in Shah Rukh Khan's Zero

The toxicology reports of tests done on blood and organs of Sridevi are expected to reveal the exact cause of her death. If the reports do not conclusively confirm a natural cause such as the reported heart attack, there will be further investigations which would mean even more delays for sending her body home, sources told Gulf News .

Reports of toxicology tests can lead to further delay in sending the body back

Khaleej Times is reporting that Sridevi's body is still in the morgue and the body may not be released soon. The report says that no exceptions have been made in the case due to Sridevi celebritiy status and the results will come out depending on the nature of the case.

The Times of India is reporting that forensic doctors in Dubai have concluded that Sridevi died of a heart attack. The report adds that there is nothing suspicious about the way the superstar passed away, official sources told the media outlet as saying.

Kamal Haasan will be leaving for Mumbai by the 3:25 pm Jet Airways flight. He is going to meet Mr Boney Kapoor and family, his publicist reveals.

Addressing the reporters in Chennai, Rajinikanth said, "Today morning only I got to know the news. I'm still not able to believe it's true. I'm yet to come terms with the sudden death of Sridevi ji. It's quite shocking. Boney Kapoor and I went for a dinner in Chennai only three months back. She's a very close friend and our friendship was 40 years long since she acted in my second film."

"Sridevi Kapoor's astounding talent was not luck. It was well deserved and she worked for it from her childhood. I've known her from her teens. She was still a child when she came to work with me and Mr Balachander, my mentor, who sometimes gave me the responsibility of working with her, correcting her acting and shaping even her dance moves. When she came, she was not as talented as she later emerged out to be. But she learned every day. I was astounded by her climb. And every step of it, she worked for," said Haasan.

When IANS contacted him, Shukla said: "Yes as a mark of respect to the sudden and untimely demise of our legendary actress Sridevi, we decided to cancel our today's song shoot of 102 Not Out. May God give peace to her soul and strength to her family."

According to sources, the shooting for the song was scheduled to start on 25 February with actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. The song has been composed by Big B.

Director Umesh Shukla says the shooting for the song titled 'Baadduummbaaa' for his upcoming film 102 Not Out was called off on 25 February due to the sudden demise of cine icon Sridevi.

RECAP: Song shoot of Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor's 102 Not Out cancelled as a mark of respect

"In order to get something you have to lose something. You can't have everything in life. So I am happy with what I got."

"I lost out on going to school and college life but I got into the film industry and worked without a gap -- from child actor I went straight to heroine. There was no time to think and I was grateful for it," she said.

In an interview with The New Indian Express in 2013, Sridevi spoke of missing out on a carefree childhood when she began working as an actor.

Lost out on going to school, college, said Sridevi

According to Khaleej Times, an official from the Indian Consulate, accompanied by a family member, has been called inside the morgue. The report also adds that Dubai Forensic Department officials have ruled out a second autopsy on Sridevi's body.

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.

As per procedure, the body is first kept in the morgue at Al Qusais. After forensic examination, the body is handed over to the police, who issue a clearance after recieving the autopsy report. A death certificate is given and after that the police clears a visa for the deceased peron and subsequently, the Indian consulate in Dubai cancels their passport, issues a death certificate as well as a no-objection certificate.

As part of the normal procedure, if a foreign national dies outside a hospital in Dubai, a police case has to be registered and an investigation is launched.

The report further said that the embassy official and Saurabh Malhotra, a relative of the Kapoor family, who were called inside the morgue earlier have been asked to leave and come back by 3.30 pm.

The Dubai-based news agency reported that Indian consulate have said the paperwork and all formalities are expected to conclude by 3.30 pm IST after which the Indian side can begin the procedure of bringing Sridevi's mortal remains home.

According to CNN-News 18, the Dubai Police has ruled out foul play in the veteran actor's death. Police sources told the news channel that it would take three more hours to complete all formalities on its end, which includes giving an NOC and a local police visa for the repatriation of the body. The death certificate, however, is expected shortly.

Dubai Police rule out foul play, say death certificate to be issued soon

"It has been sent to the Bur Dubai police station. Both the representatives have gone to the police station with it. Once it is opened by Dubai Police and the information revealed to them, then the next step for the process of repatriation will be decided," the news report claimed.

According to a report in Gulf News , the forensic report of the veteran actor has been handed over to her family and an embassy official. The reports haven't been opened yet.

According to CNN-News 18, Indian Embassy officials and family members of Sridevi have reached the Bur Dubai police station with the forensic report on the causes of her death. The police sources also said that Dubai police will soon hand over the body to Indian authorities for further procedures.

"He tried to revive her and when he could not, he called a friend of his. After that, he informed the police at 9 pm," Khaleej Times quoted a source as saying. The police and paramedics rushed to the site, but she was pronounced dead.

Sridevi then went to the bathroom to get ready. When she didn't come out for 15 minutes, Boney knocked on the door. He did not get any response and forced open the door, to find her lying motionless in the bathtub that was full of water.

He reached the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel around 5.30pm (Dubai time) and woke her up and they chatted for about 15 minutes, the report said.

On Saturday, Boney, who produced Mr India, which gave Sridevi one of her most remembered roles, flew back to Dubai to surprise his wife with a dinner, the paper reported.

As anxious crowds milled around her Mumbai home and stars visited the family to pay their condolences, a Dubai paper reported that Bollywood superstar Sridevi was getting ready for dinner with husband Boney Kapoor when she suffered a cardiac arrest. Boney and Sridevi, 54, were in Dubai to attend nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding.

Sridevi getting ready for dinner with husband when she suffered cardiac arrest

The Dubai-based news paper, however, said that the Sridevi was under the influence of alcohol because of which she may have lost her balance and she fell into the bathtub. Reports confirmed that her blood stream has shown traces of alcohol.

Quoting the forensic and autopsy reports of the actor, Gulf News reported that Sridevi died due to accidental drowning in the bath tub of her hotel room. However, the exact circumstances that lead to the "drowning" are not yet clear.

Sridevi's body has been released for the 90-minute process of embalming. Her body will soon be moved to the Al Muhaisana embalming unit and will be repatriated to India at the earliest.

The exact circumstances that lead to the accidental drowning are not yet clear. CNN-News 18 reported that the forensic reports only said that accidental drowning caused the death but the reasons or causes which led to the accident are unclear. The news channel also said that a caridac arrest cannot be ruled out and may have led to the accident.

Shinde said she would ask him if he ate on time and how his family was doing.

"She was one of the icons with so much warmth and positivity. I started working with her after ‘English Vinglish' released (2012). She always treated, all of us, whether make-up artistes, dress people, everyone... like a family. We were one unit."

"I still cannot believe she is no more. I was there in Dubai with her for her make-up at Mohit Marwah's (her nephew) marriage. She was looking so pretty, happy and bright as ever. I came back two days ago, and on Saturday late night the news started coming in (about her death). I am still in shock," Shinde told IANS.

Subhash Shinde, who did Sridevi's make-up at actor Mohit Marwahs marriage in Dubai last week, says the late actress had "so much warmth and positivity" and always treated everyone, including make-up artistes, present on a film's set like a family.

The Dubai public prosecutor is currently questioning the immediate family members of Sridevi about the circumstances around the actor's death. Police have said that no foul play is suspected but a investigation is still on. The police is investigating who was with the actor around the time of the accident.

The author is a Firstpost coloumnist and former editor of Gulf News and Khaleej Times

Much of the mess created in what will now be a trying time for all has been by conjecture. Indian media’s feeding frenzy and the premature conclusion that she died of a cardiac arrest is what has led to the confusion. It would be better to just let the police in Dubai get on with their task and till then a freeze on guesswork would be appropriate.

If there is even a shred of doubt or a grey area they will not allow people to leave the country. The police probe is mutually exclusive from the medical report and the body’s release has no bearing on the police taking further steps.

There is no guilt or suspicion and it is only procedure and the answers may well clear the air. .

At this moment there is no crime committed but the police will investigate the circumstances that led to Sridevi’s death by drowning. The first step is to send the forensic report to the public prosecutor's office which will assess the merit of the case and then decide on further action. And if they believe that there are persons of interest who can shed light on the issue — whether it concerns the alcohol content in her blood or the reason why the bath tub was reportedly full or even why a friend was called by husband Boney Kapoor rather than the hotel doctor and support staff — they will detain and question anyone they feel can shed light on how she drowned.

The Dubai police, backed by state of the art equipment and a forensic laboratory that is comparable to anything in the world, have a first rate investigative record and have resolved crimes often in hours of their occurring.

The answer is a NO. And here’s why:

Now that Dubai Police has released the body for embalming and repatriation, is the probe over? Is it all clear?

CNN-News 18 reported that three more papers are needed to finish the repatriation process and it is not normal for Dubai authorities to release any papers after 4.00-4.30 pm (6.00 pm IST). In this case they may make an exception because a celebrity is involved but the chances that the body may be repatriated today appear slim.

Sridevi's body may not come back tonight; repatriation experts say 3 more papers needed: CNN-News 18

The Dubai Public Prosecutor has called up Boney Kapoor and the hotel staff to join the investigation. The police is apparently trying to ascertain the exact circumstances that lead to the drowning of the veteran actor.

Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh has said that Sridevi never consumed hard liquor and only drank wines on social occassions. He was reacting to reports that traces of alcohol have been found in her blood.

According to police sources, specific phone call records from 24 to 48 hours before the time of death are being closely looked at by the investigating agencies. As per the sources, repeated phone calls by one specific individual is said to be the main focus of the probe agencies.

The police is still working out the exact circumstances that lead to the 'accidental drowning'. The actor, who was earlier presumed to have died of natural reasons (cardiac arrest), has now been declared dead due to accidental drowning. This raises some questions.

Executive Editor of UAE's Khaleej Times, Vicky Kapur told ABP News that the Dubai Police will record the statement of Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor in connection with her sudden demise. Boney was present in the room where Sridevi died of "accident drowning" and was reportedly the one who first found her lying unconscious in the bath tub.

Sridevi will make her final appearance on silver screen in December in a cameo appearance in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Zero. She shot for her scene last year in October. The legendary actor will be seen playing herself and will share screen space with Karisma Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan, Zoom reported.

Khaleej Times reported that the embalming likely to take place at Sonapur by noon on Tuesday.

Contrary to earlier reports, it is now being said that Sridevi's body will not be embalmed today and the actor's mortal remains are kept at the forensic department at the police headquarters.

Sridevi's body not being embalmed today; mortal remains kept at forensic department at police headquarters

India’s Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri said that with the new development, and the case being referred to the public prosecution department, the repatriation issue is now open ended. He added that the Indian Embassy is in talks with the Dubai authorities to get clearance and is hopeful it will happen soon, Gulf News reported.

However, while the main document is made in Arabic, translations with official seal are also regarded as official documents. The authority issuing the document itself translates and puts seal on the print out.

It is possible that nuances of the report and literal meanings were lost in translation, and that the translation was not written in an in-depth manner.

There are translation departments at all government offices or the job is sometimes outsourced, when it is to do with commercial transactions and civil cases.

The official language in UAE is Arabic and all certificates and other paperwork is carried out in the language. As speculations and guess work picked up, it is important to note here that the translated version of the forensic report was available for circulation in the media much too soon. The lack of detail and obvious spelling errors (drowning was spelt drawning) indicate that the translation was rather hurried.

"We are working with local authorities to ensure that mortal remains can be sent to India at the earliest. We are on the job," Suri said in one of the two tweets. "Our experience in similar cases tells us that it does take 2-3 days to complete processes," he added.

Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Suri tweeted late on Monday and said that media frenzy, while understandable, does not help the situation.

Media frenzy over Sridevi death understandable, but it doesn't help matters, says Indian ambassador to UAE

"As per standard police investigation procedures, director and husband of the late Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, only provided his testimony on Sunday morning. The conversation between police and the director took place when her body was discovered at Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel on the night of her death. However, he was not called by the police on Monday for further interrogation. All media reports regarding further questioning are baseless..."

According to Khaleej Times , a newspaper based out of UAE, the Dubai Police has claimed that Boney Kapoor was not interrogated. The media reports claiming so are baseless, the paper further reported.

Claiming that further probe is required in the Sridevi death case, the Dubai Public Prosecution has begun its investigation. The investigation into her death began early on Sunday morning, and the actor's body has been at the General Department of Forensic Evidence, Dubai, since 2.30am on Sunday, Khaleej Times reported.

The room where Sridevi died is sealed and it’s under the control of Dubai police. The preliminary report did not specify a time of death, but more details are expected in the detailed report.

Boney Kapoor was called in for questioning by the Dubai Police at the Bur Dubai police station and most of the questions were related to the last hours he spent with Sridevi.

According to several media reports, Dubai Police merely recorded Boney Kapoor testimony. "As per standard police investigation procedures, director and husband of late Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, only provided his testimony on Sunday morning. The conversation between police and the director took place when her body was discovered at Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel on the night of her death," a Gulf-based paper reported.

Boney Kapoor not interrogated, it was just a testimony, say reports

Autopsy report confirms that Sridevi died at 10.01 on Saturday night. More details are awaited. It is, however, important to note that there is a gap of an hour and a half between the time of death (according to the autopsy report) and the time it was reported.

There is an hour gap between the official time of death and the first call made to the police.

- There is no confirmation or any report which confirms that a doctor was called in the ensuing period. Incidentally, Jumeirah Hotel told Firstpost that all of their five-star properties have on-call doctors.

- Indian consulate officials, however, told Khaleej Times that the time of death was 11 pm, which widens the time gap even further

- According to reports , the first call to the police was made at 9 pm.

- Boney called his friends and the hotel staff for help. Sridevi's body was taken out of the bathtub and they tried to revive her.

According to the autopsy report, Sridevi died at 10.01 pm on Saturday. There are a few questions that crop up:

Indian Ambassador to UAE says might take two to three days to complete all processes.

The body was likely to be embalmed today, Khaleej Times reported. Sridevi's body will be brought back to Mumbai for the funeral by a chartered jet.

"We are working with local authorities to ensure that mortal remains can be sent to India at the earliest. We are on the job," said Navdeep Singh Suri, adding that "Our experience in similar cases tells us that it does take 2-3 days to complete processes."

"At the time of reporting this, sources at the unit in Muhaisna revealed that there was only one body present at the centre, and the staff at the unit were heading home," Khaleej Times reports.

Embalming usually happens between 7 am and 5 pm, but Khaleej Times reported that in unusual cases, when the embalming unit in Muhaisna get a call from higher authorities, they perform the embalming at any given time.

There are inconsistencies in the timeline leading up to her death. While initial reports said the first call to the police was made at 9 pm, the autopsy report said the time of death was 10.01 pm. There is, therefore, an hour's gap between the official time of death and the first call made to the police, during which no confirmed call to a doctor was made.

Inconsistencies appear in timeline leading up to Sridevi's death as questions remain unanswered

Indian Consulate officials told Khaleej Times that the Dubai Police were following usual protocol. However considering the highly sensitive nature of the case, they want be 100 percent sure before handing over the body to the family.

Khaleej Times reported that the officials at Indian Consulate maintained that the Dubai Police are following the usual protocol and are not delaying the process. The report further added that the officials in Dubai want to be 100 percent sure about all their claims, considering the extremely sensitive nature of the case.

The officials at the Dubai Public Prosecution office, the probe is still going on to determine the circumstances surrounding Sridevi's death, as the forensic report, which came out on Monday, only says that the actor died of accidental drowning, reports Gulf News.

The report further added that in case of any suspicious foul play, prosecutors would carry out further detailed investigations and decide on any future law enforcement procedures accordingly.

Gulf News quoted a chief prosecutor: “In such accidental death incidents, the results of the post-mortem and forensic examination reports are referred to the Public Prosecution as part of ordinary law enforcement procedures. The papers are revised by the prosecutors of the jurisdiction where the incident happened. An official order to hand over the body of the deceased to the family or relatives is issued shortly after that.”

Requesting anonymity Indian consulate officials said that the Dubai Police has to go through certain protocols and they can't skip steps. They added that the public prosecutor and the police were trying to expedite matters but would only clear the body for embalming after all the doubts raised on Sunday (when Sridevi's death was reported) were cleared.

Public Prosecutor and Dubai Police will clear body for embalming only after all doubts raised on the night of Sridevi's death were cleared

Dubai police said its only after questioning all the people involved directly and indirectly the case will be cleared and for the body to be released from the morgue for embalming and repatriation.

Body will be released only after all those involved have been questioned and cleared: Dubai Police

According to the Dubai Police, unless all those involved in the case (directly and indirectly) are cleared after questioning, the body of the veteran actor will not be released.

According to reports in UAE media, Public Prosecutor will release the official statement any time now. However, the Dubai Police has claimed that without due procedure the body will not be released for embalming or repatriation.

Varma says that except for a short glimmer of English Vinglish, Sridevi had been pretty much very unhappy. "She went through so much in her life and due to her early career entry, life never gave her time to grow up at a normal pace," writes Varma.

In a personal note on her, Varma says that she was the most desirable woman and the biggest superstar of the country but that's just a part of the story.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who directed Sridevi in films like Great Robbery, Govindhaa... Govindhaa... and Hairaan, says that the late actor has been a "very unhappy woman" and her life was a "classic case of how each person's actual life is completely different from how the world perceives it".

Sridevi's life a classic case of how each person's actual life is completely different from how the world perceives it: Ram Gopal Varma

Uncertainty continues over repatriation of Sridevi as legal formalities are yet to be finished. Meanwhile, reports said that Arjun Kapoor has left for Dubai to help his father Boney Kapoor.

According to Asianet , a "deep wound" was found on Sridevi's head. The CCTV footage is also being examined.

​ The report said that Kapoor was also interrogated for three hours earlier.

Dubai Police hands over letter for release of Sridevi's mortal remains to her family

The Indian Consulate told CNN-News 18 that the veteran actor's body will be flown back to Mumbai today. The Indian Embassy has received necessary clearance to begin the embalming process of the body, after which it will request for a local visa. Sridevi's passport will be canceled after that.

It will be at least three more hours before the body can be put on the India-bound jet, sources say. Taking into account the mid afternoon traffic, the processes at the mortuary, and the government embalming unit in Sonapur on the Dubai-Sharjah border, and then the long drive to the airport, it could be late in evening before the body reaches India.

At least few more hours' wait for Sridevi's fans, families

According to Khaleej Times, the Kapoor family and Indian embassy officials have reached the morgue at the police headquarters, where Sridevi's body was kept since last night. The body will now be taken for embalming process, after which the repatriation papers will begin.

Embalming is the process of preserving the human body after death to delay decomposition. Human beings have been practising embalming in various forms for thousands of years. The body is drained of blood and gases and pumped with replacement fluids to temporarily slow its disintegration. The process is fairly common in the death of public figures, particularly because usually a traditional funeral is held, which includes keeping the body in an open casket for viewing the deceased's body.

Sridevi's body will now be taken for 90-minute embalming process

In a couple of tweets, the Dubai Media Office Said: "The Public Prosecutor's Office #دبي: The decision to release the body came after all the investigations and procedural matters followed in such incidents were completed, in order to determine all its circumstances and ensure that justice was done within the framework of the law. The medical report showed that the death of Indian actress Sridevi Kapoor came as a result of her drowning in her hotel room after losing consciousness."

Sridevi's body has reached the embalming unit and the embassy officials are completing the process of repatriation in the meantime. Embalming is expected to take around 90 minutes after which the body will be taken to the Maktoum International Airport.

The embalming procedure is now completed and Sridevi's mortal remains will now be directly taken to the airport. The ambulance carrying the body will be accompanied by police jeeps, which will escort it to the cargo terminal from where it will be flown in to India on a private jet.

Embalming procedure over, Sridevi's mortal remains to be taken to airport

Sridevi's mortal remains have reached Dubai International Airport, from where it will be flown to India in a private jet. TV News reports said that the body will reach around 10.30 pm (IST) in Mumbai and will be taken to the Kapoor's residence in Andheri West.

Sridevi's mortal remains will be brought to Mumbai around 10.30 pm tonight, Times Now reported. The actors funeral service will be held on Wednesday morning. India Today said that the cremation will take place at Lokhandwala crematorium around 10.30 am, and the body will be kept for public homage at the actor's residence, Green Acres from 8 am onwards.

Sridevi's funeral to be held tomorrow at 10.30 am, body will be kept at actor's Mumbai home

The family will arrive in Mumbai at 10.30 pm where they'll head straight to Sridevi's residence. On Wednesday morning, her fans, family members and the members of film fraternity will pay their respects at her Mumbai home in Lokhandwala. Arjun Kapoor and his cousin Saurabh Malhotra are accompanying Boney Kapoor from Dubai to Mumbai.

Mortal remains to be kept for public homage from 8 am, Tuesday

Sridevi's body to be flown to India from royal terminal of the Dubai International Airport

Indian Ambassador to UAE, Navdeep Suri, also appealed for calm. "The media interest in untimely demise of #Sridevi is understandable. But the frenzy of speculation does not help.

Sonu Sood wrote, "I wonder after doing such reporting about a legend who lost her life..can these people sleep in peace? Ashamed to live in times where we have to see such a standard of reporting on reputed channels. Shame on you... let someone rest in peace."

Balan, who posted a photo of the late actor, said, "May they let you rest in peace...." "Such a shame that whole country is silently watching their superstar Sridevi being murdered live by media," wrote a user while another user said media should stop using Sridevi's death for entertainment.

TV media's frantic reporting over the death of veteran actor Sridevi has angered Bollywood celebrities and her fans, who have called the coverage "graceless" and "insensitive". Celebrities such as Vidya Balan and Farhan Akhtar criticised the TV channels for suggesting various conspiracy theories on the cause of her death.

Sridevi's body taken to Dubai Airport's cargo area, mortal remains to be brought in private jet

Sridevi was the only lady superstar and she will always remain one, says Bappi Lahiri

As Sridevi's mortal remains have reached the Dubai International Airport, it is expected that they would be flown out soon. Boney Kapoor is being accompanied by son Arjun, Gulf News reported.

Sridevi's mortal remains to be flown out from Dubai soon

TV media's frantic reporting over the death of veteran actor Sridevi has angered Bollywood celebrities and her fans, who have called the coverage "graceless" and "insensitive".

According to ANI, Sridevi's mortal remains will be kept at Celebrations Sports Club in Lokhandwala, where a condolence meet will be held between 9.30 am and 12.30 am on Wednesday. The funeral is expected to take place at Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium after 3:30 pm.

Sridevi's mortal remains will be kept at Celebrations Sports Club for public homage; funeral expected after 3.30 pm

Over the years I watched her grow from a chubby precocious child star into a perky teenager — usually dressed in short, short dresses — and blossom very soon into an extremely talented young actress who could essay any role which came her way. When she was just 13 she acted in Moondru Mudichu as a young woman who loses the man she loves, and is hounded by the man who allows him to die. Certainly a very complicated role for a 13 year old, but one which she tackled with the ease of a veteran."

"In her early years she was the quintessential talented South Indian heroine whose performance often outstripped those of the veteran male actors opposite whom she starred, be it in Tamil, Malayalam or Telugu.

Kindly note, media will be only allowed outside the main entrance.

The last journey will commence at 2 pm from Celebration Sports Club to Pawan Hans.

Plz note : Media can also pay their last respects provided camera, recording devices, etc are left outside the venue.

Date & Time : 28th Feb Wednesday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm (PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE SET UP BY 9 am at the venue)

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. Kindly find all the details for tomorrow :

Anil Kapoor has reached the Mumbai Airport to recieve the body of Sridevi. An ambulance from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is at the airport to take her body to Boney Kapoor’s residence. Security has been stepped up in the area.

According to India Today, members of the Kapoor family, including Sonam and Anil Kapoor have reached the airport. Anil Ambani, whose Embraer aircraft is flying the mortal remains of the actress, has also reached the airport. The plane is expected to touch down shortly and the body would be taken to Boney Kapoor's residence.

An ambulance from the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is at the airport to take her body to Boney Kapoor’s Lokhandwala residence, Green Acres. The funeral will be held tomorrow.

Sridevi's mortal remains have finally reached Mumbai, three days after her sudden and untimely demise. The actor's close family, including her daughters Jhanvi and Khushi Kapoor were present at the airport. Ten people were onboard the plane including husband Boney and step son Arjun Kapoor, along with nephew Sandeep Marwah.

The ambulance carrying Sridevi’s mortal remains has left the airport and is being taken to Boney Kapoor’s house in Green Acres, Lokhandwala. According to reports, a special corridor has been created for the ambulance and the convoy accompanying it.

#RIPSridevi -- Ambulance carrying #Sridevi 's mortal remains has already left the airport. The body is en route to Boney Kapoor's residence. #LIVE : https://t.co/XrjVy1avOP pic.twitter.com/uCLfjL9txA

The ambulance carrying Sridevi’s mortal remains has left the airport and is being taken to Boney Kapoor’s house in Green Acres, Lokhandwala. According to reports, a special corridor has been created for the ambulance and the convoy accompanying it.

.. and finally as #Sridevi takes her last journey tomorrow from her home to the cremation ground , all the ugliness created by speculators will be burnt to ashes too. One day we will look back ourselves and ask, why are we so ghoulish? Were these really fans that loved her?

A beautiful girl, a wonderful actress, a lovely human being - Sridevi -has so suddenly been snatched from our midst. What is most needed now is compassion for her 2 young girls deprived of their mother and for her grieving husband. (Contd)

Give the family space and time to grieve for their loved one, says Hema Malini

Sridevi's mortal remains reached her Lokhandwala residence in Mumbai late evening Tuesday and the funeral is scheduled for 3:30 pm today at Ville Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium. Sridevi’s body will be at the Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala near her home for fans to pay their last respects from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Sridevi passed away late Saturday night in her hotel room in Dubai. She was in the city to attend a family wedding. Sridevi's fans from within the gilded inner circle of Indian cinema and movie buffs both are clutching at fond memories of the actor as the final hours approach. Downplaying the alleged discord between the two families of film producer Boney Kapoor, the Kapoor family will stand united at Sridevi's funeral, reports ANI. Boney Kapoor's three daughters, Anshula from the first marriage and Khushi and Jhanvi from second marriage to Sridevi, are present together at Boney's brother Anil Kapoor's house. Boney was already married to Mona Kapoor and had two children Arjun and Anshula when he met Sridevi. The producer married Sridevi in 1996, nine years after Sridevi starred in the Kapoor-produced classic Mr India.

Latest updates: The Dubai Police recorded the statements of Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor, and the staff of Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in connection with the actor's sudden demise. Boney was present in the room where Sridevi died of "accident drowning" and was reportedly the one who first found her lying unconscious in the bath tub.

A Khaleej Times report says that Sridevi's body is likely to reach Mumbai at 7 pm on Monday. The development comes amid reports that the forensic department has not yet submitted the blood test reports of Sridevi.

Earlier in the day, speaking to India Today, Indian officials have confirmed that the body may not be released until late evening as the police is yet to receive the final forensic report. Earlier reports claimed that after receiving the Police Clearance and forensic report, the other procedures including, immigration and embalming would be completed in the next 3 to 4 hours. The officials were hopeful that Sridevi's body will be ready for repatriation with all the completed procedures by 1 to 2pm, Dubai time, which is 3.30 pm Indian Standard Time.

Several southern veteran actors are expected to attend the funeral of Sridevi in Mumbai today. According to latest reports, Rajinikanth has arrived in the city.

India Today reported that Dubai officials will be receiving the final autopsy report at around 10.30 am on Monday. After the final report, the body will be handed over to the family. According to reports, her cremation will take place at Juhu's Pawan Hans crematorium at noon. A formal death certificate is awaited from the Dubai authorities.

The sudden demise of veteran actor Sridevi has sent shockwaves throughout the Indian film industry with many Bollywood celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan mourning and expressing their condolences.

The actor, who was 54, died late at Saturday night reportedly due to cardiac arrest in Dubai, where she had gone to attend her nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding.

The news of Sridevi's death spread like wildfire with stars such as her contemporary Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen and Riteish Deshmukh taking to social media to express their grief.

The first one, however, was Amitabh Bachchan who in a cryptic tweet wrote, "Don't know why, feeling a strange restlessness."

The megastar had worked with Sridevi in Khuda Gawah" (1992).

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth tweeted that he had lost a dear friend.

"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 #RIPSridevi... you will be missed," he wrote.

They together starred in ChaalBaaz and Farishtay among many others.

Kamal Haasan, who worked with Sridevi in Sadma, the Hindi remake of their 1982 Tamil film Moondram Pirai, wrote on Twitter that the lullaby 'Suramayi ankhiyon mein' from the movie haunts him today.

"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," Haasan wrote.

Her Chandni and Nagina co-star Rishi Kapoor said he is in complete shock to wake up to the news of Sridevi's death.

"Woken up to this tragic news. Absolute shock. Sad. Heartfelt condolences to Boney and their two daughters!" he wrote. The actor has also changed his profile picture to an all-black image in mourning.

Aamir said the actor will always be remembered with love and respect.

"I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the untimely and tragic passing away of Srideviji. I have always been a huge fan of her work. Equally I have always been an admirer of her grace and dignity with which she conducted herself.

"My heartfelt condolences to everyone in the family. I join all the millions of her fans in mourning her demise..." Aamir wrote in a statement on Twitter.

Madhuri Dixit, one of Sridevi's contemporaries, also took to Twitter to mourn the demise of the actor.

"Just woke up to the terrible news of Sridevi passing. My heart goes out to her family. The world has lost a very talented person who left behind a huge legacy in film. #RIPSridevi."

"I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved #Sridevi . A dark day. RIP," tweeted Priyanka, alongside a still of Sridevi from her superhit film Mr India.

Riteish tweeted, Terrible terrible news . Am shocked beyond words. SRIDEVI ji No More RIP, , while Sushmita wrote that she has been inconsolable since the news broke. I just heard Ma'am Sridevi passed away due to a massive cardiac arrest. I am in shock cant stop crying "

Director Shekhar Kapur, who worked with Sridevi in the iconic "Mr India" called the actor's death the end of an era.

"Sridevi... gone. It's like an era is over. Like life turning a new chapter. A beautiful story just ended. An amazing spirit just vanished leaving us with amazing love, memories, and incredible grief," he wrote.

Director Subhash Ghai called the actor "the uncrowned queen of acting in all languages in her times".

"I am deeply grieved for this shocking loss. Sridevi has not been one of the finest actor but the finest actor of indian of cinema since 1985. Introvert by nature, she was electricity with thunder in front of camera. She would shock directors by her each shot taken on her on the sets, may it be dance drama or romance.

"She maintained her dignity and integrity as an actor and person both constantly at any cost in this demanding industry," Ghai said.

Actor-BJP MP Hema Malini said Sridevi's death is a loss to the Indian film industry, which would never be compensated.

"Sridevi's sudden passing away has left me in deep shock. Can't imagine how such a bubbly person, a wonderful actor, is no more.She has left a void in the industry that cannot be filled. Boney is a good friend and I've seen their daughters grow up. My prayers are with the family," she tweeted.

Anupam Kher, who has collaborated with Sridevi in films such as Chaalbaaz, Karma, Laadla and Chandni among others, said he cannot bring himself to talk about the actor in past tense.

"It is too uncomfortable to talk about someone you liked and admired so much in past tense. Can't talk much now," Kher told PTI.

Hansal Mehta said he was planning to approach the actor with a project but was too late.

"There will never be another #Sridevi. I was about to approach her for a film. That film will now be dedicated to her. If it finds an actor."

Actor Akshay Kumar wrote he had the fortune of working with the actor in "Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin", a film which was shot in 1994 but saw the theatrical release 10 years later.

"Shocked beyond words to hear about the sad and untimely demise of #Sridevi. A dream for many, had the good fortune of sharing screen space with her long ago and witnessed her continued grace over the years. Thoughts and prayers with the family. RIP," Akshay wrote.

Alia Bhatt wrote a condolence message for her "icon" on Twitter.

"Nothing makes sense. I have no words.. just completely shocked. RIP Sridevi. My icon forever. Love you," she tweeted.

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