Bollywood legend Sridevi passes away in Dubai after cardiac arrest

E-Paper | October 29, 2026

Bollywood legend Sridevi passes away in Dubai after cardiac arrest

Dawn.com Published February 25, 2018

Veteran Bollywood actor Sridevi Kapoor died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Dubai, Indian media reported Saturday night.

Indian channels reported that the 54-year-old, hailed as the 'first superstar of India', was in Dubai to attend a wedding with her husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi.

“Yes, it is true that Sridevi passed away. I just landed here, I was in Dubai and now I am flying back to Dubai. It happened roughly around 11.00-11.30. I don’t know more details yet,” Sanjay Kapoor confirmed the news to indianexpress.com.

Sridevi's career spanned nearly three decades till she took a break in 1997. In 2012, Sridevi returned to films after a 15-year-long hiatus with English Vinglish

Starting her career as a child star, Sridevi worked in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films before debuting in Hindi films. The Indian government awarded her Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, in 2013.

The actor is best known for her films Chandni, Lamhe, Mr India, Nagina and more in the 1990s. She also won praise and awards for recent film English Vinglish.

She was last seen in 2017 film MOM. Her daughter Janhvi is set to make her Bollywood debut this year.

Bollywood stars took to Twitter to express their shock and grief at her untimely demise.

Pakistan

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SHAHRYAR SHIRAZI

Feb 25, 2018 02:30am

RIP. How much graceful she was!

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SANA

Feb 25, 2018 02:33am

OMG. What a talented actress she was. Rest in peace Sridevi. Love always.

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indian

Feb 25, 2018 02:38am

thats sad... too soon :(

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Bubbly

Feb 25, 2018 02:38am

Oh! Shocking. Life is so uncertain. RIP ma'am.

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Ben

Feb 25, 2018 02:39am

What a sad sad day for the lovers of this Indian film industry icon. I was and still am a big fan of Sri Devi. She was an extra ordinary, and gifted actress. May she rest in peace, and my condolences to her family. May Allah bless them with strength, and courage to deal with this tragic loss.

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pakistani

Feb 25, 2018 02:40am

She was a true Icon, really talented Actor.

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Sahmad

Feb 25, 2018 02:40am

Sad to hear that.

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Zia

Feb 25, 2018 02:43am

RIP What an actress

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pakistani

Feb 25, 2018 02:44am

True Icon. RIP

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sfomann

Feb 25, 2018 02:45am

RIP. You will be dearly missed.

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Hassankn

Feb 25, 2018 02:46am

RIP, absolutely loved her style of acting.

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Ahmad

Feb 25, 2018 02:49am

RIP. She was a very talented actress and will always remain alive in the hearts of millions.

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Indian

Feb 25, 2018 02:51am

Queen who won millions hearts around the globe.. Rip Sridevi

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2018

Feb 25, 2018 02:53am

So sad. She was indeed a class of her own. Miss Hawa Hawaii you were and will be with us forever. Condolences to family from a Pakistani fan.

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Shobit

Feb 25, 2018 02:53am

RIP my childhood Bollywood Actress Sridevi

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Hitesh Arora

Feb 25, 2018 02:54am

may her soul RIP

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Azad

Feb 25, 2018 02:58am

Rest in peace... great soul

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Rider

Feb 25, 2018 03:00am

Oh My GOD... RIP

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Peace in Heart

Feb 25, 2018 03:02am

A legend,a great Actor and a great Human being..RIP

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Ahmad

Feb 25, 2018 03:03am

Shocked. She was so young. This gap can never be filled. RIP. Legendary Sridevi.

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Ash2000

Feb 25, 2018 03:04am

Sorry to hear. Rest In Peace.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Feb 25, 2018 03:09am

Sad news about Sridevi, as she was a legend of Indian film industry and played a significant part in 1990 movies. She will be missed by her fans all over the world!

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Fredy

Feb 25, 2018 03:09am

RIP: grew up watching her give hits after hits with Jitendra in 80s , the famous movies of the south. Imitated her voice in the song Chandni o meri Chandni in our annual college function. What a loss to the film industry.

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Sara

Feb 25, 2018 03:10am

Loved you Sri Devi. It's a sad day for Pakistani fans too.

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Salman

Feb 25, 2018 03:11am

Absolutely shocking..She never seemed to get old, yet she departed this world so soon...RIP

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Omair

Feb 25, 2018 03:14am

Very sad news

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Shah

Feb 25, 2018 03:15am

Seri Devi Rip a talented actress

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Iftikhar Khan

Feb 25, 2018 03:22am

Shocked! Very sad news

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IMRAN QAZI

Feb 25, 2018 03:23am

Very sad to hear! A great loss to the subcontinent's entertainment industry. Between she has done her part very well.

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Rsja

Feb 25, 2018 03:29am

As a tribute request all middle age people to get a complete health check. Her mother passed away when the doctors in New York operated the wrong part of her rain sbd now this.

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Abdul hafeez

Feb 25, 2018 03:41am

Very adorable and talented actress....

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Sameera Gohir

Feb 25, 2018 03:42am

Gone too soon. What a legend! Rip Sri Devi

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Melbournewala

Feb 25, 2018 03:43am

I pray for the departed soul to get Moksha

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Roc

Feb 25, 2018 03:45am

For anyone who has watched her in Sadma, this would be devastating news. A true legend.

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Shahzad Akbar Shaikh

Feb 25, 2018 03:47am

R.I.P Sridevi

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Feb 25, 2018 03:51am

Too soon

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saqib ghumman

Feb 25, 2018 03:51am

RIP. Was a devi in true sense....

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Vairamuthu K

Feb 25, 2018 04:00am

Shocked to hear it. I was working night shift when my friend messaged me around 4 a.m. IST. May her soul rest in peace.

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Changez Khan

Feb 25, 2018 04:05am

So sad news. She was an awesome Bollywood actress who had fans across the globe. RIP.

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APAKMUSLIM

Feb 25, 2018 04:08am

very sad to note. May her soul rest in peace. Very graceful actress, worked her way up.

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Feb 25, 2018 04:08am

RIP. We miss you Sridevi

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Amer Rao

Feb 25, 2018 04:09am

Really shocking news, RIP

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Shahid Haneef

Feb 25, 2018 04:12am

RIP, beautiful goddess. My first crush... :-(

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Sana

Feb 25, 2018 04:16am

What a shocking news, it feels like someone very close to your heart like a family member has gone forever. What a reminder, life is too short. RIP

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sahir

Feb 25, 2018 04:18am

RIP

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Feb 25, 2018 04:21am

What a versatile actor and a wonderful human being. RIP

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Desi American

Feb 25, 2018 04:21am

RIP, you will be missed dearly, condolences to the family and to fans.

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khalid

Feb 25, 2018 04:22am

RIP Good actress

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Tariq Aziz

Feb 25, 2018 04:24am

Sad news, no doubt she had tremendous talent and one of the of her time.

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Panocha

Feb 25, 2018 04:24am

She lived her life well, better than 95% of people in the world.

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Vijay

Feb 25, 2018 04:26am

Very talented actress RIP

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Robinson

Feb 25, 2018 04:28am

Can’t believe she is no more. I grew up watching her movies. May her soul Rest In Peace

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Javed

Feb 25, 2018 04:42am

So Young... what a fleeting transient world :(

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Pro Bono Publico

Feb 25, 2018 04:47am

Sad news. Deepest condolences to the family and friend. She will be remembered by her fans for ever.

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Farhan

Feb 25, 2018 04:51am

Um...no words! I mean how!??? She was only in her 50s it’s just shocking. May she Rest In Peace!

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Dr. Malaria, Garib phaltoo

Feb 25, 2018 05:05am

Rip

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Saida

Feb 25, 2018 05:22am

In total shock. Unbelievable. My heart goes to her two daughters and husband who have to suffer this sudden loss.RIP Sri Devi, you are admired and loved by countless Pakistanis.

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Taimur

Feb 25, 2018 05:29am

She was a legend. RIP

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WARRIs

Feb 25, 2018 05:34am

RIP, great actress

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Malveros

Feb 25, 2018 05:36am

She will live in our memories forever. My youth and middle age passed away with her.

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Farhan

Feb 25, 2018 05:41am

Amani and Srideviji deaths are shockers to me.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Feb 25, 2018 05:49am

So sad we lost a beautiful soul today. RIP dear departed soul.

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Marvin

Feb 25, 2018 05:57am

So young to depart the planet! We will miss you Sri.

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Rahul

Feb 25, 2018 06:10am

I was a big fan of her during my college days. I had met her in dance fliming of film Chaalbaaz at the club in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. She was very polite and polished. I still have her autograph. She will be sadly missed. RIP.

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Raja Abbas

Feb 25, 2018 06:15am

RIP

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Suhail Kidwai

Feb 25, 2018 06:17am

Sad

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Sabir

Feb 25, 2018 06:23am

Loved her so much from Pakistan. She had kind heart

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ALIEN1

Feb 25, 2018 06:26am

She was an icon, RIP.

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Peter

Feb 25, 2018 06:28am

RIP great actress !

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shakira

Feb 25, 2018 06:51am

Omg! i'm shoked to hear this news

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shakira

Feb 25, 2018 06:55am

Omg i m shoked to hear this news What a talented actress she was. Rest in peace Sridevi. Love always

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Omar

Feb 25, 2018 07:06am

Very unusual for 54 year old female to die of cardiac arrest. She must be on some allopathic drug or She must have visited a hospital for some relatively minor problem , which got misdiagnosed .

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Chanakya

Feb 25, 2018 07:10am

Today we have lost one of the greatest of Bollywood :(

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Huma

Feb 25, 2018 07:19am

So so sad :( may she Rest In Peace. Life is too short love everyone

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salman

Feb 25, 2018 07:33am

Sad and Shocking!

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Independent

Feb 25, 2018 07:40am

She was absolutely fanstastic in some telugu movies i watched.RIP

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prince

Feb 25, 2018 08:21am

RIP...... shocking news... Sridevi and Madhuri, both complete actors (dancing, acting), no current bollywood actress comes closer to them... Sridevi played memorable role in Sadma...

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Khan

Feb 25, 2018 08:23am

One of the greatest actress of all times gone so soon. The one and the only Chaandni no more. RIP in heavens. You will always be remembered.

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Dil Say Pakistan

Feb 25, 2018 08:26am

RIP. Apart from good actor she was a good human being too.

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Feb 25, 2018 08:48am

Shocking..huge loss to Bollywood and all those who loved her for her talent and charisma

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Irfan

Feb 25, 2018 08:50am

Rip #SiriDevi

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Khurshid

Feb 25, 2018 08:53am

So sad

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ksl

Feb 25, 2018 09:03am

Sad Miss Hawa Hawaii is no more RIP

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Syed Ahmed

Feb 25, 2018 09:07am

Condulances to entire bollywood film industry lossing such as icon RIP

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Zak

Feb 25, 2018 09:09am

RIP. She was a legend, we adored her in Pakistan for her positive attitude towards all.

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Shaill

Feb 25, 2018 09:13am

RIP Shree

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Feb 25, 2018 09:18am

When i started watching films I started watching her film khuda gawah.

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Kailash Singh

Feb 25, 2018 09:27am

When I heard this news on television, the face of Srideviji with twinkling eyes flashed upon my mind. I could hear the girlish laughter of her. Such people come in our lives to shower happiness and suddenly disappear leaving us shocked to ponder over what this human life is. We can take solace from the fact that she remains with us through beautiful cinema she did. RIP Queen of Hearts.

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BANGASH

Feb 25, 2018 09:37am

Oh No Such a grieving news early morning.... She was really talented and best actress of her time.

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suneet r joshi

Feb 25, 2018 09:52am

@Malveros yes. she was a very talented artist. Let Her Soul Rest In Peace

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R R Vadhavkar

Feb 25, 2018 09:53am

Taking exit at age of 54, it is difficult to digest the news.

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Maryam

Feb 25, 2018 10:00am

Death is inevitable People around us are leaving for the eternal world The question is when are we going to b ready to meet our lord n really prepare ourselves for that day

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Mazir Ahmed

Feb 25, 2018 10:22am

A great loss for all especially for Tamil Nadu as she was a Tamil.

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Faisal

Feb 25, 2018 10:26am

May she rest in peace. She brought happiness to many.

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PORK

Feb 25, 2018 10:29am

Shocking news. She was not just glamorous but very talented actress. Her roles in moves Right from Sadma to Ladla were just examples for her versatile talent.

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A Pakistani

Feb 25, 2018 10:32am

RIP :(

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amir

Feb 25, 2018 10:39am

RIP, what a great actress she was. I still remember her songs and movies, real superstar

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Fandom beyond the border

Feb 25, 2018 10:49am

Rest in peace mam. Your death has shocked millions of your fans across the border.

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Raza

Feb 25, 2018 10:49am

RIP

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Sunil Dhiman

Feb 25, 2018 10:54am

RIP, She is my dream girl in childhood days

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Feb 25, 2018 11:12am

Shocking news

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R Sultan

Feb 25, 2018 11:15am

Dawn could have given a better report on the death of this extremely well known and popular south asian icon.

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BHarat

Feb 25, 2018 11:42am

Thanks you friends. Its really sad for us fans to endure this sad day. I cant imagine what the family is going through

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SHAHZ

Feb 25, 2018 11:43am

Some lovely songs picturised on her! RIP and thank you!

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annie

Feb 25, 2018 11:44am

RIP... she was graceful, talented and good mother too. we love you and miss you always.

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Dervaish Khan

Feb 25, 2018 11:47am

This is such a devastating news.

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Khopdee

Feb 25, 2018 11:51am

RIP. Too soon! Acting wise she was an overacting queen!

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Jitendra

Feb 25, 2018 11:59am

Bollywood director, producer Farah Khan said it in a few words - the brightest star is gone. I was never a fan of personalities. Never understood the concept of stars & fans. But today first time I felt like a star-stuck fan, totally heartbroken. I realise what do stars stand for. They mean much more than their personalities & their work. They become a part of ones life and world. RIP Sri Devi ji

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Fareed

Feb 25, 2018 12:14pm

She left lots of fans in tears. RIP.

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Amanullah Lodhi

Feb 25, 2018 12:21pm

Sri Devi jee.... You were such a lovely kind and gentle soul we would miss n miss you always. RIP

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Boss

Feb 25, 2018 12:30pm

RIP

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raj kumar

Feb 25, 2018 12:36pm

@Mazir Ahmed great loss for all us Indians.

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Rahul

Feb 25, 2018 12:44pm

@Omar *"Very unusual for 54 year old female to die of cardiac arrest"* It's rare but it has happened several times before. I've read and seen 30 something year old footballers collapsing in a live match on the field due to cardiac arrest. It can happen.

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Amina

Feb 25, 2018 12:45pm

I googled and checked the news again just thinking that some sick minded person would have spread a rumour. But I so much wished that it were a rumour and she were alive. Can't believe it. She was the most beautiful actress of all time. Very sad. May her soul rest in peace.

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Nagi

Feb 25, 2018 01:06pm

RIP beautiful lady. Love from Pakistan

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S M Waqar Yousuf

Feb 25, 2018 01:58pm

A legendary star passed away

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Syed Anjum Ali

Feb 25, 2018 02:12pm

RIP. A sad loss for the whole world. A bright light has gone out .

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shmi

Feb 25, 2018 02:17pm

RIP Ms devi.Everyone has to go back.

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Wild Guy99

Feb 25, 2018 02:22pm

Heartbroken and saddened to learn the untimely demise of Ma'am Seridevi. Deepest condolences to bereaved family and freinds. Humongous loss to Bollywood industry.

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k k tiwari

Feb 25, 2018 02:23pm

So sad RIP dear Sri. Come again soon

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Shahbaz khan

Feb 25, 2018 02:23pm

Heartbroken and saddened to learn the untimely demise of Ma'am Seridevi. Deepest condolences to bereaved family and freinds. Humongous loss to Bollywood industry.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Feb 25, 2018 02:24pm

In fact and in essence, very human being in this mortal world has to taste death, sooner or later and she was indeed not an exception.

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BhaRAT

Feb 25, 2018 02:37pm

RIP that’s a sad news

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Daniyal

Feb 25, 2018 02:37pm

This is so heartbreaking. Have so many long memories of her movies... watching them with family, admiring her with childhood friends. She is an epitome of beauty & elegance.

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Naveed Rehman

Feb 25, 2018 04:12pm

A big tragedy for the fans of Saridiv including me,I would never forget her role in"Mom".She was very talented, loving and punctual.Her sole rest in peace

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Saifullah

Feb 25, 2018 04:23pm

RIP madam, ur performances will be remembered always..

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Mirza

Feb 25, 2018 07:53pm

Rest in peace

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Gaurav

Feb 25, 2018 10:04pm

I remember watching Lamhe over Cable at night with my family. After that I must have watched the movie at least 7-8 times. In the movie when Sri Devi passes away in irst part, I remember feeling sad that time. Today she has gone in reality. Everyone is in disbelief and shock!

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John

Feb 25, 2018 10:05pm

Life is so uncertain. We all have less time than we think. Better we make most of it. Really feeling sad man.

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Jawad

Feb 26, 2018 07:56am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad why do you have to provide profound philosophy stating the obvious that everyone knows . Let people share their memories and pass their condolences. Most people when dead are not remembered and several have no impact while they are alive . She will be remembered by millions as she has left an indelible mark over the years with her captivating performances.

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imdadali

Feb 26, 2018 09:57am

sad news, she was great actor of its time.

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Zia

Feb 26, 2018 10:40am

A beauty queen in the era of 80s and a graceful actor.

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Vibhash

Feb 26, 2018 12:38pm

Most talented ,respected and lovable actress, saddened by sudden untimely demise. My Thoughts are with the family , near and dear once. RIP.... Sridevi Ji

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Ahmad

Feb 26, 2018 03:17pm

Everyone has to face it in near future please do good and don't disturb or stop other from doing good.

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MONIER

Feb 26, 2018 07:35pm

The other news is attributing drowning as the reason for death

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Rana Zain

Feb 26, 2018 08:28pm

May her soul rest in peace.