CHENNAI: Sridevi held the audience in sway by her impeccable performances. Whichever role she donned - as rural belle Mailu in 16 Vayathiniley, as a typical Brahmin wife in Meendum Kokila, she merged with the protagonist.
In Moondram Pirai, she played the unforgettable role of a young woman who suffers head injury in an accident due to which she behaves like a child. And not to forget the Sigappu Rojakkal and numerous other films, Sridevi had etched a permanent space in the memory of film buffs and her fans as well.
Her sudden demise led to flooding of grief-stricken messages. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and leaders of various political parties, including BJP, DMDK and Congress, on Sunday condoled her death in Dubai.
In his message, the Governor said “the demise of the noted actor Sridevi fills me with sadness and shock. She was a versatile professional who displayed a rare sense of talent and genius on the silver screen.” “A daughter of Tamil Nadu, she has acted in over 200 films and won extraordinary praise and laurels,” the Governor said and extended his “deep condolences to the bereaved members of her family and pray to God to rest her soul in peace.”
Mr Palaniswami, in a statement, expressed grief over her death and said Sridevi was a versatile actor, who started her film career as a child artiste and later as top heroine in Tamil movies, before acting in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and other languages. Her Tamil films like 16 Vayathiniley, Moondram Pirari, Sigappu Rojakkal, Priya and Varumayin Niram Sivappu were shining examples of her quality acting skills.
Winner of several awards, including the Padmashri, Sridevi, has carved a niche for herself in the film industry for the past 50 years and her death was not only a major loss to the Tamil cinema, but also to Indian cinema, he said and expressed deep anguish over her death.
Mr Palaniswami also offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to her friends in the film fraternity. Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said Sridevi’s movie career attracted several generations.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Sunday condoled the death of popular actor Sridevi and said he was shocked to hear about her sudden demise. “My heartfelt condolences,” he tweeted. He also offered his condolences to the bereaved family, her fans and friends in the film industry on behalf of DMK.
DMDK founder Vijayakanth, who was a top actor before venturing into politics, said he was hugely shocked to learn that Sridevi is no more. “My condolences to her kin,” he added.
Tamilisai said, “Sridevi, who was born in southern Tamil Nadu, grabbed the attention of the whole country with her acting talent. My tributes to her.” She added: “My deep condolences to her family members and industry friends. This is a very big loss to the Indian cinema world.”
