Crowds throng streets as Sridevi makes her last journey

A sea of humanity emerged on the roads as the truck carrying the mortal remains of Bollywood diva Sridevi wound its way to a crematorium in suburban Vile Parle this afternoon.

Be it senior citizens, youngsters or housewives, people of all ages and from all walks of lives thronged the streets to bid adieu to their beloved actor.

Some followed the truck while others ran helter-skelter, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

Many people were perched on dividers of roads leading to the crematorium from the actor's residence in Lokhandwala Complex. Some had parked themselves on terraces of roadside buildings.
 

Police had a tough time manging the crowds and ensuring smooth passage for the truck, which took one hour and forty minutes to cover the distance of about 5 km.

The frenzy reached the crescendo at the crematorium where people were seen jostling to catch a glimpse of members of the film fraternity who were arriving.

Despite the barricades put up by police along the stretch leading to the crematorium, people entered the area. Police had to make repeated appeals on microphone to clear them.

At one point, a mad scramble was witnessed on the foot-over bridge leading to the

Vile Parle railway station, which is nearby.

"It feels like I have lost my mother," said Atul, a midget actor who had worked with Sridevi in her last film, "Mom".

"She used to take a good care of us, and even supported us financially," said Atul.

Jai Kishan, a theatre artist, said he had come from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. "I'm a big fan of her, and I have come all the way from MP to pay my homage," he said.

Babu Pawar, a resident of Thane, said he didn't believe the news of Sridevi's death at first last Saturday. "I thought it was a joke. I was left numb and started crying after I saw the news on TV," he said.

Amol Pawar from Dombivili said he and his wife came to Vile Parle because his wife wanted to see Sridevi for one last time. "My wife is a big fan of Sridevi's. She has watched almost all her movies," he said.