By Farah Kaleem
Malaika Arora, a prominent Bollywood figure known for her significant contributions to the film industry, has publicly addressed the tragic death of her father, Anil Mehta.
On Wednesday evening, Malaika posted a heartfelt message on her Instagram following the untimely death of her father, who was 62 years old. Anil Mehta reportedly jumped from the sixth floor of a building in Mumbai’s Bandra area.
Before the incident, Mehta allegedly reached out to his daughters, Malaika and Amrita Arora, expressing his feelings of being overwhelmed and unwell. Malaika Arora has since released a statement on behalf of her family, expressing their profound grief.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Raj Tilak Roshan informed the media that Mehta’s body has been sent for post-mortem and that both police and forensic teams are investigating the case. Preliminary findings suggest that it may be a suicide, but the investigation is ongoing.
Upon learning of her father’s tragic accident, Malaika, who was reportedly in Pune, rushed back to Mumbai. Despite efforts to save him, Anil Mehta was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
In their statement, the family described Anil Mehta as a kind-hearted man, devoted grandfather, loving husband, and cherished friend, and requested privacy during this difficult period.
The Arora family, including Malaika, Amrita, and other relatives, expressed their gratitude for the support and understanding from the public. Malaika’s parents divorced when she was 11, and she subsequently lived with her mother, Joyce Polycarp, and sister Amrita. Joyce is a Malayali Christian, while Anil Mehta was a Punjabi Hindu from Fazilka, who worked in the Indian Merchant Navy.
In response to the media coverage, actor Varun Dhawan took to Instagram Stories to criticize the intrusive behavior of photographers, stating, “It is the most insensitive thing to point cameras in the face of people who are grieving.”
Kareena Kapoor Khan and her husband, Saif Ali Khan, visited the Arora family home to offer their condolences. Other notable visitors included Arjun Kapoor, Malaika’s ex-husband Arbaaz Khan, actor Chunky Pandey, and his daughter Ananya Panday. Sohail Khan, along with his parents Salim Khan and Salman Khan, also visited the residence, with photographers present.
Malaika Arora, who has often spoken about her independence and personal values, is deeply affected by her father’s passing. The precise circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
