The world was shocked and grieved by the death of Bollywood superstar, Sridevi, on the night of February 24. Devastated by the news of her death due to cardiac arrest, Sridevi’s fans mourned this tragic news, which left a hole in the Indian film industry.
Priyanka Chopra, like many other fans, wrote a tribute to Sridevi in Times Magzine, stating: “She was born for the silver screen. As an artist who found her calling at the age of 4, she swapped playgrounds for movie sets and friends for directors, and made 70-mm film her canvas. By her own admission, she would have it no other way. Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, she changed the course of Indian cinema when she became Sridevi.”
Chopra praising and acknowledging Sridevi for being “India’s first female superstar”, recalled her as a conqueror of hearts, stealing away the screen by her work in various dialects like Telagu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Priyanka stated: “She owned every frame of every film she was in—without the need of a male co-star, bringing in audiences and setting the box office alight, firmly on her own shoulders”
The bereaved film star added: “Everyone wanted her and wanted to be like her. She could be childlike, grown up, funny, serious, beguiling, sexy — she was the ultimate actor. Sridevi leaves behind a legacy that will live beyond us all, a legacy built on the foundation of pure dedication, talent, hard work and a sprinkle of fairy dust that was showered on her by the Gods!”
Chopra undoubtedly admitted that Sridevi was the reason she chose to be an actor. “She was my childhood, and one of the big reasons I became an actor. To refer to all of us as mere fans would be a disservice to her. When the news first broke of her passing, I was immobilized. All I could do then was listen to songs from her films, revisit her interviews and watch her iconic scenes over and over again. I knew I was not alone; millions were feeling that exact emotion of shock and loss. Her connection with the audience was so strong that that each one of us has special memories linked to her.”
The former Miss World recollected her last memory of her, saying, “She left us too soon. My last memory of her is a red-carpet moment last December. In the frenzy of flashbulbs and whirring cameras, she pulled me into a tight hug and spoke lovingly and excitedly about her two daughters, Jhanvi and Khushi. Her family was her life. She left me feeling warm and fuzzy, and with a promise to meet again.”
“Thank you for the magic, Sri ma’am. Forever your fan,” Priyanka concluded, bidding farewell to her childhood star to forever remain in her heart.