UAE Indian community in mourning following the demise of veteran actress Sridevi … reports Asian Lite News.
Veteran actress Sridevi, 54, has passed away. The actress, who was in UAE for a family function, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest at a hotel in Dubai.
“The Indian and especially the Tamil community in the UAE flooded our Facebook page with comments, after hearing the news,” RJ Nimmi told Asianlite Arabia.
RJ Nimmi is the head of programming at Tamil 89.4 FM which operates in the UAE.
“All the listeners and followers were deeply saddened by the news, as could be seen in their comments,” continued RJ Nimmi. “Some commented that we had lost the queen of Tamil cinema,” he added.
“Nobody expected this, as they had seen a happy Sridevi, in the wedding video,” he said.
Sridevi was in Dubai to attend the marriage function of actress Sonam Kapoor’s cousin Mohit Marwah, along with husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi.
“The body of Sridevi is expected to reach India by today evening or tomorrow morning,” he concluded.
Indian Ambassdor to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri tweeted: “Absolutely shocked to get the report about untimely demise of #Sridevi. Conveyed my condolences to the family. Our consulate in Dubai is working with local authorities to provide all possible assistance.”
Her body is expected to be flown to Mumbai via a special chartered flight on Sunday evening for the last rites but the timings were not confirmed yet, according to official sources.
Southern movie stars and politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan also expressed disbelief.
“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. Sridevi, you will be missed,” tweeted Rajinikanth, who featured with her in the memorable “ChaalBaaz”.
Kamal Haasan, her co-star from “Sadma” — one of her most evocative performances — said: “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.”
