NEW DELHI, February 25 (Reuters) - Indian actress Sridevi, arguably Bollywood's first female superstar, died in Dubai after cardiac arrest, media reported on Sunday. She was 54.Sridevi is survived by her husband - producer Boney Kapoor - and daughters Jhanvi and Khushi. She was in Dubai to attend a family wedding and died late on Saturday.   In a career spanning five decades, Sridevi acted in 300 films and was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour in 2013.   Born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan in Tamil Nadu, she started acting at the age of four, appearing in several Tamil-language films in the 1960s and 1970s, and eventually dropping out of school for a career in the movies.   She acted in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films, performing alongside leading men such as Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth.   Sridevi made her Bollywood debut in 1979 with "Solva Sawan" (16th spring), but it was in 1983, with Balu Mahendra's "Sadma" (Shock) that she made her mark in the Hindi film industry.   The year, she also acted with Jeetendra in K. Raghavendra Rao's blockbuster "Himmatwala" (The courageous one), cementing her place as one of Bollywood's top actresses.   Through the 1980s and 1990s she charmed audiences in female-centric films such as "Chandni" (Moonlight) and "Lamhe" (Moments), drawing praise for her comic timing in "Chaalbaaz" (Trickster) and Shekhar Kapur's "Mr India", playing feisty characters in contrast to the traditionally coy Bollywood heroine.   Sridevi took a break from films soon after she married producer Boney Kapoor in 1996.   A noticeably leaner Sridevi made a successful return to the big screen 15 years later in Gauri Shinde's "English Vinglish" (2012), playing a housewife taking English-language lessons. Her last screen appearance was in "Mom" (2017), as a mother avenging her daughter's rape. [caption id="attachment_340776" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Bollywood’s evergreen star Sridevi passed away after suffering a massive cardiac arrest in Dubai on Saturday (February 24). She had an illustrious career spanning over four decades and widely considered one of the finest leading ladies in Indian cinema. (Image: Reuters)[/caption] Sridevi's death triggered an outpouring of tributes from Bollywood luminaries and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.   "I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved Sridevi. A dark day. RIP," actress Priyanka Chopra said on Twitter.   "She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances," Modi said in a tweet.   "We all grew up watching her and suddenly to hear that she is no longer with us is hard to digest," said cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.  

Kovind, Modi mourn Sridevi's death

  New Delhi, February 25 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mourned the death of veteran actress Sridevi, who died in Dubai after suffering a cardiac arrest.   "Shocked to hear of passing of movie star Sridevi. She has left millions of fans heartbroken. Her performances in films such as 'Moondram Pirai', 'Lamhe' and 'English Vinglish' remain an inspiration for other actors. My condolences to her family and close associates," the President tweeted.   Modi also took to Twitter, saying: "Saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi. She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances. My thoughts are with her family and admirers in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace."   Sridevi, 54, was in Dubai to attend the marriage function of actress Sonam Kapoor's cousin Mohit Marwah, accompanied by her husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi Kapoor.   Congress President Rahul Gandhi also condoled the death of the vertan actress saying that she was an incredibly talented and versatile actress.   "Shocked to hear about the sudden and untimely death of one of India's favourite actress, Sridevi. Sridevi was an incredibly talented and versatile actress whose vast body of work spanned a range of genres and languages. My condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace," Gandhi tweeted.   Union Minister of Textiles and Information and Broadcasting, Smriti Irani described Sridevi as a powerhouse of acting.   "Sridevi - a powerhouse of acting, a long journey embellished with success comes to a sudden end. My condolences to her loved ones and fans," Irani said in a tweet.   Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled the actress's death saying that her sudden demise was a big loss to the film industry.   "Anguished to learn of the sudden demise of veteran film actor Sridevi. She had a long and successful career in the film industry with several remarkable performances. Her demise is a big loss to the film industry. My thoughts are with her family and fans. May her soul rest in peace," Rajnath Singh said in a tweet.   Union Coal and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said: "Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of versatile actor Sridevi. Her contribution to Hindi cinema is unparallel and will be remembered for generations to come. My condolences to her family and countless admirers."   Sridevi has known for her performance is some of the iconic films like "Mr India", "Nagina", "Sadma", "Chaalbaaz", "Chandni" among many others. The Padma Shri recipient was last seen in "Mom" in 2017.   In 2013, she was conferred Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.