Police in Dubai have closed the case into the death of Bollywood actress Sridevi Kapoor after handing over her body to relatives.

Sridevi, a veteran of over 300 films, died aged 54 on February 24 from what was initially reported as cardiac arrest while she was in Dubai for her nephew’s wedding.

A post-mortem report revealed on February 26 her cause of death was accidental drowning in her hotel bathtub.

“The death of Indian actress Sridevi occurred due to drowning in her hotel apartment’s bathtub following loss of consciousness,” Dubai police tweeted, citing the autopsy report.

The tweet did not reveal the results of any toxicology tests but the Gulf News said traces of alcohol were found in Sridevi’s blood.

Sridevi’s body has been embalmed and is being flown to India for her funeral.

Crowds gathered outside her Mumbai home to pay their last respects ahead of the funeral, which will was scheduled to take place in the city later Wednesday local time, the BBC reported.

Sridevi’s producer husband was questioned by police after her death, Indian media reported.

Sridevi was “considered one of the very few Indian female superstars capable of huge box-office success without the support of a male hero,” according to the BBC.

On February 27 Dubai police recorded the statement of the late star’s husband, Boney Kapoor, according to the Gulf News.

The newspaper said Kapoor, 62, discovered his wife unconscious in the bathtub filled with water. She was taken to a hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.

Investigators also reportedly questioned hotel staff and those travelling with Sridevi at the time of her death in room 2201 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

The Kapoors in 2013 when Sridevi received the Padma Shri award. Photo: Getty

The full post-mortem report has not yet been made public, but reports say it is expected to explain the link between the original report of cardiac arrest and the finding of “accidental drowning”.

News of her death was met with shock and grief from fans, politicians and fellow stars.

“She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances,” Prime Minister Narendra Mr Modi said in a tweet.

Tweeted actress Priyanka Chopra, “I have no words. Condolences to everyone who loved Sridevi. A dark day.”

Priyanka Chopra with Boney Kapoor and Sridevi at an awards night. Photo: Getty

Indian president Ram Nath Kovind said millions of fans were left heartbroken by the star’s death.

“We all grew up watching her and suddenly to hear she is no longer with us is hard to digest,” said cricket great Sachin Tendulkar.

An actress since she was four, by 13 Sridevi was cast in the role of a grown woman avenging her lover’s death.

In 1978 she debuted as a leading lady in a Bollywood film and soon became a major box office drawcard, starring in Mr India and Chandni and working in five languages.

She took a 15-year hiatus from 1997 after marrying Kapoor and having two daughters.

She made a comeback in 2012 comedy English Vinglish. The next year she was awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour, for services to the movie industry.

Her most recent film was last year’s Mom.