Sridevi in the Tamil costume drama: The Indian Goddess Incarnate

Her face and features, the large expressive eyes, her gentle, almost reluctant smile, her classic curves, tall frame, the long limbs... there was something apsara-tic-about her; other worldly, the divine Devi.  Sridevi has been an inspiration to innumerable artists and many have envisioned her as a Goddess - in fact, she's played Goddess/Queen/Princess/Fairy/ several times over the years in her resplendent career. 

Part of the immense shock of Sridevi's sudden and untimely passing (an expression that's now forever attached to 'the great Sridevi'), was how this otherworldly diva died in such a mortal way. On average, 135,050 people die in bathroom every single year; but Sridevi wasn't an average anything. She's been a part of our lives and the national consciousness for 54 years; and to have her suddenly vanish into the ether seemed unnatural. Hence, the lunacy of innumerable batshit conspiracy theories that will outlive you, me till eternity. Hell, every year new theories crop up about Marilyn Monroe - and she died in 1962; one imagines the same hacks will be conspiring to deny the simple fact that Sridevi had low blood pressure, fainted in a steaming bath, and her divine soul left the mortal coil. 

Alas the Goddess had clay feet, as the expression goes...