After the last rites of actress Sridevi were completed on Wednesday, her family released an emotional statement thanking all her fans for their support and urged the media to respect their privacy and let them grieve in peace.
Hundreds of thousands of people joined celebrities to bid adieu to the first female superstar of India, who was cremated in Mumbai with state honours amid an outpouring of grief from her fans.
In a statement, the Kapoor, Marwah and her Ayyaapan family appreciated the support and love they received from her many colleagues and innumerable fans, her caring friends and loving family from across the country and the world.
Remembering Sridevi’s undeniable talent, unmatched beauty and her legendary ability to connect with the audience, they said: “This outpouring of love is the memory that we would like Khushi and Janhvi to have of their mother, a woman who was loved unquestionably by everyone.”
“To the members of the media, we ask that you respect the privacy of the family and allow us the space to grieve. Sri lived her life with dignity and we implore that you give her the same respect.”
Sridevi passed away following an accidental drowning in a bathtub in her hotel room in Dubai around 11pm on February 24.
Sridevi’s husband, Bollywood film producer Boney Kapoor, on Wednesday expressed his heartfelt thanks to all fans and well-wishers after her death, and said his only concern at this time was their two daughters.
He said he looks forward to move on in life with daughters Janhvi and Khushi without “the axis” of their family.
In a media statement, Kapoor said: “My only concern at this time is to protect my daughters and find a way to move forward without Sri. She was our life, our strength and the reason we always smiled. We love her beyond measure.”
“She was my love, my friend, mother to our girls, my partner. To our daughter, she was everything in their life. She was the axis around which our family ran.”
Expressing his gratitude to all for supporting him in this hour of grief, including his family members, Kapoor said: “I am blessed to have the support and love from [son] Arjun and [daughter] Anshula, who have been such pillars of strength for myself, Khushi and Janhvi. Together, as a family, we have tried to face this unbearable loss.”
