Dubai authorities won't release Sridevi's mortal remains before post-mortem; funeral expected to take place on Monday

Following Republic TV being informed that Sridevi hadn't left her hotel room for 48 hours before she was found dead, sources have also provided an update as to when the mortal remains are to arrive in India from Dubai, and in particular, why there appears to be a delay.

The reason for the delay is that Dubai authorities, who are currently in possession of Sridevi's mortal remains, are clear that there will be a post-mortem.

Sources within the Indian High Commission have told Republic that they are on standby, and will do everything possible to complete necessary formalities and release the body within half an hour of Dubai authorities clearing it.

The projected arrival time of the mortal has been pushed back numerous times so far and is now not expected before 11 pm IST.

The funeral will take place in Mumbai on Monday. Close friends will be flying back with the body, which is expected to arrive on Anil Ambani's private jet.

Earlier, the Indian High Commissioner to the UAE said he was in touch with the family and also the local authorities. Her body was being kept in the police headquarters morgue in Al Qusais.

Sridevi, along with her husband and their younger daughter Khushi were in Dubai on the occasion of Sridevi's nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding.

Sridevi made her Bollywood debut in 1978 with ‘Solva Sawan’, but it was only five years later with Jeetendra-starrer ‘Himmatwala’ that she gained commercial success. After starring in many hit films she took a break from acting for 15 years after starring in 1997's ‘Judaai’. She marked her return to the industry in 2012 with director Gauri Shinde's ‘English Vinglish’. In 2017, Sridevi starred a revenge drama 'Mom' which also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna. She also shot for a special appearance in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film ‘Zero’ which is scheduled to releases this December.