Sridevi Death Anniversary: The Last One Year

In the early hours of February 24, a year back, every Indian cinema fan heard a news so tragic that we refused to believe it for hours. Sridevi, cinema legend and one of our favourite actresses, passed away in Dubai under mysterious circumstances. She was just 54. Sridevi was attending the wedding of her husband Boney Kapoor's nephew, Mohit Marwah. On that fateful night, Boney Kapoor found her dead in their the bathtub of their hotel room. While the autopsy reports didn't specify any foul play, the media channels and conspiracy theorists had a field making their own speculations as to what happened.

It says that grief is one of the best binding factors among humans. After Sridevi's demise, the cold stand between her daughters, Janhvi and Khushi, and their half-siblings, Arjun and Anshula Kapoor, came to an end. Boney Kapoor's elder siblings used to cautiously avoid their other sisters, still seething from the fact that their father married Sridevi when their mother was alive. After Sridevi's demise, both Arjun and Anshula took care of the girls in their mourning, and this brought the family closer. Arjun stood by his father from the time the news of the death came out to support him through the last rites. Arjun is often seen acting like that protective elder brother from Janhvi and Khushi.

Sridevi's last leading role was in Mom, which was released months before her demise. For her performance as a vengeful step-mother seeking retaliation, she was posthumously adjudged the Best Actress by the National Awards. Her family, Boney, Janhvi and Khushi went on to receive the award. Sridevi's last screen appearance was in Zero, which came out in December 2018. She had a post-humous cameo in the film playing herself, sharing screen with Karishma Kapoor, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Juhi Chawla, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt.

After her demise, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, had tweeted his sorrow on social media, "Saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi. She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances. My thoughts are with her family and admirers in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace." President Ramnath Kovind tweeted, "Shocked to hear of passing of movie star Sridevi. She has left millions of fans heartbroken. Her performances in films such as 'Moondram Pirai', 'Lamhe' and 'English Vinglish' remain an inspiration for other actors. My condolences to her family and close associates."

Her funeral, held at Celebration Sports Complex crematorium, Bandra, was estimated to have attracted the fourth highest number of mourners, with around 7,000 people attending, from celebs to commoners. Her funeral received full state honours, a decision that received some controversy. Sridevi was also included in the 2018  In Memoriam section of the 90th Academy Awards ceremony.

She was represented in the 2019 NTR biopic, NTR Kathanayakudu, where she was played by Rakul Preet. An upcoming Hindi film, Sridevi Bungalow, starring internet wink sensation Priya Prakash Varrier courted controversy when its teaser tried to draw parallels with the late actress' death.