Conspiracy Theories Around Sridevi's Death that  Exist in 2021 

Sridevi's unexpected death in February, 2018 sent shockwaves across the film industry as it mourned one of its most prized actresses. Three years following her death, fans are still grieving the loss of Sridevi. We take a look at some of the most interesting conspiracy theories surrounding her death.

What Happened?

Sridevi and her youngest daughter Khushi had flown to Al Jazirah Al Hamra in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, to attend a family member’s wedding. The actress decided to spend a couple of days in Dubai to shop for her eldest daughter Janhvi's 21st birthday, after the wedding, and her husband Boney Kapoor was busy attending a meeting in Lucknow on 22 February. Unbeknown to Sridevi, Boney had planned a surprise visit to see his wife after she told him that she missed him. Boney took an afternoon flight to Dubai on the 24th, and reached the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel at around 18:20 (Dubai time). The couple chatted for 30 minutes or so before getting ready for dinner. Sridevi decided to take a bath before getting dressed while Boney waited in the living room. After 15 to 20 minutes, he called out to the actress as they were getting late but he was unable to get a response.

Sridevi was pronounced dead on 24 February 2018 at 19:00 in her hotel room where her husband had found her. At first, it was announced by her brother in-law Sanjay Kapoor to the Indian media that the cause of death was a cardiac arrest, but the investigation to her death began early Sunday morning around 2:30, and the case was transferred to Dubai Public Prosecution by Dubai Police, where General Department of Forensic Evidence, Dubai revealed that the cause of death was "accidental drowning". The toxicology report later also revealed that traces of alcohol were found in her body, and water was found in her lungs.

After a few days of police investigation, on 27 February, Sridevi's case was closed, and her body was flown back to Mumbai, India.

Theory 1: Her death was too suspicious to be an accident

Sridevi’s post mortem has been hotly debated ever since her death. Many questioned how accurate it was after it first claimed she suffered from a cardiac arrest before stating her death was caused by “accidental drowning”. This quickly raised the question of whether they were dealing with a mishandled case.

Theory 2: There was a money incentive behind her death

According to reports, an insurance worth 240 crore rupees had been taken out in Sridevi’s name. Apparently it could have only been cashed out if she was to die in the UAE. Coincidence much? Did Boney or someone else close to her have something to do with it?

Theory 3: Boney Kapoor killed his wife

Doctors in Dubai raised the question of whether Sridevi died after falling into a Bathtub. Is there a possibility that she was pushed? Boney was the only other person in the same hotel room as her. When Boney found Sridevi he called a friend when he found Sridevi unconscious instead of calling the emergency services first. Why didn't he call a doctor first? Is that a rational reaction to have when you see your wife unconscious?

Theory 4: Sridevi committed suicide

Sridevi was stated to be staying in Dubai to meet and spend time with her sister and do some shopping. If this was the reason then how come she didn’t step outside the hotel once in 48 hours?

Rumours quickly circulated that Sridevi had been privately suffering from depression. She lived a very private life but she was always being analysed in the public eye. It is very common for those in the public eye to suffer silently, so perhaps it all got too much for her? Years ago, before the release of her film English Vinglish, Sridevi had made a public outing to the Tirupati Temple whilst wearing no makeup and a saree. The media published a story saying “Sridevi loses her beauty” and she has also been described as “too plastic”. Did the public scrutiny drive her to the edge? Even after her death, the media scrutinised her diet, personal choices and surgery. Perhaps the struggles of being a successful Indian woman in the public eye had more of an effect on her mental health than we knew?

Theory 5: She was intoxicated when she died

Forensic reports claimed that traces of alcohol were found in Sridevi's body during her death. Close friends claimed that she never drank heavily and enjoyed a glass of wine every now and then. Is it possible that she was drinking heavily the night she died? Did someone coax her into drinking?

To conclude:

No doubt Sridevi’s death was a tragedy that we couldn’t have prepared for. Whether there was foul play involved in her death or not, we will continue to look back and remember the actress is a positive light. She radiated light in the industry and remained to be remembered as a national treasure and a loving mother.