This refers to the editorial, “Shameful coverage” (March 1). Sections of the media had a field day with Sridevi's tragic death. While nobody says that they should not look at the mystery surrounding her premature death without blinkers, it is reasonable to say that they should have avoided reporting it so sensationally. The manner of her death has led to a lot of speculations and conjectures but that cannot diminish Sridevi's greatness as an actress and her contribution to the Indian cinema. The 300-odd films featuring her were a testament and tribute to her matchless skill, range and depth as an actress. Film buffs admire her and even hold her in awe for the myriad life-like roles she played which could not have been done without extraordinary versatility.
A director's actor, on the set, Sridevi was malleable to be moulded and cast as the character she was meant to be. Endowed with the ability to emote in an infinite variety of ways, the quintessential exponent of Indian cinema showed ease of acting in all kinds of scenes, be they romantic, melodramatic, tragic or comic and excelled at the realistic portrayal of characters. Sridevi's stellar performances, especially in the early Tamil movies, make for scintillating viewing and compare with the best in world cinema. As a fantastic dancer — bolstered by her physical charms and cuteness — she lit up the screen and put a spell on movie audiences. As the female lead, the pan-Indian superstar starred opposite all famous male actors. The characters immortalised in the reel world by Sridevi immortalised her in the real world. Her name is inscribed on the pillar of Indian cinema as one of the all-time great screen idols. Sporting a winning smile, she was always soft-spoken, elegant, effervescent, ebullient and very modest about her achievements despite being worshiped as a screen idol and a celebrity.