The sudden demise of legendary actress Sridevi in 2018 shocked the entire nation and film industry. At the time, speculations surrounded the tragic incident, with Boney Kapoor- her husband and renowned filmmaker facing immense scrutiny.

In a recent interview with The New Indian, Boney Kapoor addressed the speculation, clarifying that Sridevi’s death was not natural, but accidental. He shared that he had refrained from speaking publicly earlier, as he had already given extensive statements over 24 to 48 hours during investigations in Dubai.

“It was not a natural death; it was an accidental death. I had decided not to speak about it because I spoke about it for almost 24 or 48 hours together when I was being investigated and interrogated,” he said.

“That is how I got a clean chit from the Dubai police. In fact, the officers said they had to go through the process due to pressure from the Indian media. But the report clearly stated it was accidental death by drowning. I also underwent lie detector tests and other procedures, and there was no foul play.”

Boney also revealed a critical health detail that may have contributed to the tragic incident ; Sridevi’s ongoing issue with low blood pressure and her habit of following crash diets, particularly ones that eliminated salt.

“The doctor kept advising her not to avoid salt due to her low BP. But like many women, she believed salt caused water retention and puffiness, which made her cut it out completely even from salads,” he explained.

He further recalled a conversation with actor Nagarjuna, who once shared that Sridevi had previously fallen during a film shoot due to a similar crash diet, resulting in a dental injury.

“It was unfortunate. After her passing, Nagarjuna came to offer his condolences and told me that during one of her films, she had been on a crash diet and fainted in the bathroom, breaking her teeth,” Boney added.


Retracing the final days of Sridevi..


February 18–19, 2018

Sridevi, the legendary Indian actress, traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with her family to attend the wedding of her nephew, Mohit Marwah. She was accompanied by her husband, Boney Kapoor, and younger daughter, Khushi Kapoor. Her elder daughter, Janhvi Kapoor, remained in India due to work commitments.

February 20, 2018

The wedding celebrations concluded. Sridevi remained in the UAE, while Boney Kapoor and others returned to India. The reason for Sridevi’s extended stay was not publicly disclosed, though some speculated she may have intended to shop for Janhvi or visit her sister.

February 21, 2018

Boney Kapoor returned to Mumbai, while Sridevi continued her stay at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai. Her return travel plans to India were not publicly known.

February 24, 2018

Boney Kapoor flew back to Dubai, reportedly to surprise Sridevi. He arrived at her hotel room around 5:30 PM. According to his account, the couple was planning to go out for dinner. While Sridevi went to take a shower, she did not emerge from the bathroom.

Concerned, Boney Kapoor reportedly called out to her and, upon receiving no response, forcibly opened the door and found her unconscious in the bathtub. Hotel staff and authorities were then alerted.

Following the news of her death, early media reports cited a massive cardiac arrest as the cause. This narrative circulated for the next 48–72 hours and was widely reported by media members.

After formal investigations by Dubai authorities, a forensic report confirmed that Sridevi died of accidental drowning in the bathtub. The report indicated traces of alcohol in her system, and it was concluded that she may have lost consciousness, leading to drowning.

February 28, 2018

Sridevi’s mortal remains were flown back to India after completion of formalities. She was cremated with full state honours in Mumbai.

Sridevi’s passing remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in Indian cinema. Boney Kapoor’s revelations serve as a sombre reminder of the health risks associated with extreme dieting and the intense pressures faced by celebrities behind the scenes.



Source : Medium
Image Credit : India Today