In a surprising and touching move, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences (AMPAS) paid tributes to Indian stars Shashi Kapoor and Sridevi in the In Memoriam section of the Oscars. The segment remembers artistes who passed away in the past one year. Sridevi, whose sudden demise in at the age of 54, in Dubai sent shock waves through India was inarguably India's first female superstar. She was a rare artiste whose career spanned for 50 years across multiple languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam.
Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor died in December last year, at the age of 79. He was known for his roles in the 70s and 80s, and featured in some of the best commercial films such as 'Deewar', 'Kabhie Kabhie', 'Namak Halal', and 'Kaala Patthar'.
Mumbai roads flood for last glimpse of Sridevi
Over 25,000 people lined the roads from Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri to Juhu, to bid farewell to veteran actor Sridevi who was given a state funeral last week. Last rites of the Padma Shri awardee were performed on Wednesday evening, when husband Boney Kapoor lit the pyre along with daughters Janhvi and Khushi. The actress' body was draped in tricolor and presented a guard of honour, while the police band trumpeted a musical tribute. It is to be noted that not all Padma Shri recipients are granted this privilege.
The cortege made a journey of approximately 6 kms, with the truck decorated with white flowers, and a large portrait of the actor framed in flowers. Family members of the deceased rode the vehicle bearing the glass casket with Shree's body. Pace of the procession eventually slowed down as thousands of fans lined the streets from Andheri to Juhu. Celebrity mourners including ace actor Shah Rukh Khan turned out in strength to pay last respects, at the wake in Celebration Club in Lokhandwala.
Present were Amitabh Bachchan with wife Jaya, daughter Shweta, and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil and Tina Ambani, Kumaramangalam Birla, Rekha, Vidya Balan, Ramesh Sippy, Madhuri Dixit, Subhash Ghai, Karan Johar, Hema Malini, Karisma Kapoor, Imtiaz Ali, Sanjay Nirupam, Sushmita Sen, Tanuja, Kajol, and Ajay Devgn, and Amar Singh, among others.
