Bollywood superstar Sridevi died of accidental drowning: Forensic report

Indian superstar Sridevi died of accidental drowning, according to the post-mortem report by Dubai authorities.

It had been earlier reported that the 54-year-old died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday while at family event in the middle-eastern city.

The Dubai government’s media arm tweeted that the police confirmed she fell in the bathtub after losing consciousness.

It also said the case has been passed to the Dubai Public Prosecution for what officials said were "regular legal” procedures.

Citing a source in the Indian Consulate, the Khaleej Times reported that she passed away in her room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

It said she reportedly had a fainting spell and was immediately rushed to a hospital.

“The hotel, however, refused to comment on the matter and an employee stated that it is under police investigation. Sources in the Indian Consulate said she was brought dead to the hospital,” the Khaleej Times reported.

Sridevi debuted as a lead actress in a Bollywood film in 1978, soon becoming one of India's biggest film stars. Reuters

Quoting an official, the Gulf News reported that traces of alcohol were found in the body.

It said the post-mortem report has been released by Dubai police to the family and the Indian consulate.

The newspaper said the report could mean a delay in the repatriation of the body. It had been expected to be flown home on Monday.

Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, Sridevi worked in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films before entering Hindi films.

The 54-year-old was arguably Bollywood’s first female superstar.

Sridevi’s most remarkable Hindi films include Sadma, Chandni, Himmatwala, ChaalBaaz, Mr India, Nagina, Mawali, Tohfa and Gumrah among others.

She started acting in the late 1960s, but her performance in Malayalam film Poombata in 1971 won her the state award for best child artist.

She debuted as a lead actress in a Bollywood film in 1978, soon becoming one of India's biggest film stars.

One of the last pictures of Sridevi from the wedding in Dubai. Courtesy: Khaleej Times

Sridevi’s most memorable onscreen pairing was with her real-life brother-in-law Anil Kapoor, while her most successful films were produced by husband Boney Kapoor.

The versatile actress decided to take a break from the film industry after the release of Judaai in 1997.

She made a comeback in 2012, starring in English Vinglish.

In 2013, the Indian government awarded her the Padma Shri—the fourth highest civilian honour.

The actress' last film will be Shah Rukh Khan's 'Zero' as Sridevi did a cameo in the film which was shot last October. Buzz was also that Sridevi was going to judge a reality dance show, but she had not confirmed that news.