Iconic Bollywood actress Sridevi is no more among us. At the age of 54, the screen legend breathed her last on February 24, 2018, in Dubai where died of accidental drowning. The premature death of Hindi cinema’s first female superstar’s left the country in a massive state of shock but what has further grieved her devoted fans and in general people is the chaotic (read: barbaric) response. When everyone is still coming to terms with the bitter reality that Sridevi is no more, there have been shameful acts on part of media and overtly critical netizens. After witnessing the media circus which included fuelling rumours and conspiracy theories around Sridevi’s sudden demise, we came across sick mentality of overtly critical Twitterati on the day of Sridevi’s funeral. Amidst all of it, we are trying to do our small bit by refraining to share the picture of Sridevi's dead body showing her face.

Things got worst on deceased actress’ last journey as the netizens trained their guns at just about everything. From questioning Maharashtra government’s decision to accord Sridevi full state honours at her funeral including draping her body in the national tricolour to criticizing several Bollywood celebs who came to pay their last respects. Actress Jacqueline Fernandez was brutally trolled for giggling and greeting her co-workers she met during the funeral. Sridevi’s niece and actress Sonam Kapoor also met with criticisms.

Sridevi died following accidental drowning in the bathtub in her hotel room in Dubai on Saturday night. As part of a mandatory investigation, post-mortem, forensics and other formalities took time with Sridevi's mortal remains flown to Mumbai three days later on February 27. The funeral scheduled for Wednesday saw Sridevi's body kept for three hours at the Celebrations Sports Club in the afternoon to enable people to pay their last respects. Maha Government decided to give the state honours to Sridevi, who was conferred Padma Shri in 2013, which saw her mortal remains covered in the national tricolour and a gun salute before the cremation. This act by any means look hurtful but somehow evoked a huge negative response from a section of Twitterverse.

1. Netizens Questioned Why Sridevi's Mortal Remains Were Covered in Tricolour

Once again, an Unnecessary Comparison to Indian Army and Jawans

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SO MUCH OF NEGATIVITY

2. Many Lambasted Jacqueline Fernandez for Giggling at Sridevi's Funeral

According to the micro-blogging users, one of the biggest ‘offenders’ at Sridevi’s funeral was Race 3 actress Jacqueline Fernandez. The Sri Lankan beauty who had posted heartfelt tweet followed by a musical tribute to late Mom actress was accused of attending the prayer meet for the sake of media coverage. These accusations flooded the social media after Jacqueline was photographed giggling and smiling at the prayer hall. Pictures and videos showcased a smiling Jacky greeting members from film fraternity, something that did not go down too well the grieving fans of Sridevi. They openly called out Jacqueline Fernandez’s hypocrisy!

This Man Accused Race 3 Actress of Being Spotlight Hungry

3. Even Jaya Bachchan Was Not Spared!

Not just Jacqueline, yesteryear actress Jaya Bachchan who came to see Sridevi for the last time was also criticized for her amiable behaviour at the location. Jaya was attending the prayer meet along with her daughter, Shweta Nanda and daughter-in-law and actress, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. While Aishwarya appeared all grim, few pics showed Jaya breaking into a smile, leading to a furore among netizens.

4. Sonam Kapoor Was Ridiculed for 'Flaunting' Boyfriend and Designer Bag

Sonam Kapoor was the next in the firing line of angry Twitterati. The 32-year-old Padman actress who is also Sridevi’s niece was accused of flaunting her fashion quotient at a funeral place – all because she dared to carry a bag and not visit empty-handed! If you think this is bizarre, wait till you read about netizens calling her names for walking hand-in-hand with her rumoured boyfriend Anand Ahuja. One fails to understand this level of scrutiny and judgements.

5. And, Then Someone Questioned Designer Manish Malhotra's 'Funeral Fashion Sense'

On one hand, they criticized actors and actresses for dressing up and on the other hand, they ganged up to question ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra's fashion sense. We simply fail to understand where does so much of negativity arise from.

Probably Arjun Kapoor Was The Only Bollywood Celeb Who Won Internet's Hearts

One Bollywood star who found respect and praises from social media during Sridevi’s funeral was actor Arjun Kapoor. The reasons were more or less same with people appreciating Arjun who also happened to be late actress’ stepson for standing with his family in tough times. From accompanying his father Boney Kapoor in bringing Sridevi’s body from Dubai to firmly supporting his step-sisters Jhanvi and Khushi Kapoor during the entire time of actress’ last journey, Arjun won everyone’s hearts. However, in praising the young actor, Twitterati did not hold back on badmouthing deceased actress!

Respect for Arjun at Cost of Badmouthing Late Sridevi!

We lost Sridevi for ever now. At the age of 54, she was gone too soon, and no one can fill the huge void created by her absence. But in such an unfortunate incident, what surfaced was the pathetic behaviour on part of media, fans, critics, and just about everyone. The whole media coverage and people’s response makes us wonder if Bollywood is a soft target who can be targeted by anyone and everyone and not be even spared in death. It speaks volumes about us as to where we are heading as a society.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 28, 2018 09:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).