Anil Kuldeep Mehta, father of Bollywood actress Malaika Arora, passed away on September 11 at the age of 65. The death has been reported as a suicide. In a statement, Malaika Arora shared her family’s grief: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear father, Anil Mehta. He was a gentle soul, a devoted grandfather, a loving husband, and our best friend. Our family is in deep shock by this loss, and we kindly request privacy from the media and well-wishers during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support, and respect.”
Details of the Incident
According to the police, Anil Mehta jumped from the balcony of his sixth-floor apartment in the Ayesha Manor building in Bandra. Prior to the incident, he reportedly called his daughters and expressed his exhaustion with the words, “I’m tired,” before taking the drastic step.
Family and Police Reports
Malaika’s mother, Joyce Polycarp, who was in the house at the time, discovered the tragedy when she noticed her husband’s slippers in the living room and could not find him. Upon leaning over the balcony, she saw a commotion and the security guard calling for help, realizing something was amiss.
A police source told ETimes, “The call details indicate that Anil Mehta called his daughter Amrita Arora, who was particularly close to him.” The source added that Anil Mehta had a routine of borrowing the morning newspaper from his ex-wife Joyce and reading it on the balcony.
Ongoing Proceedings
A post-mortem examination is being conducted at Bhabha Hospital. Anil Mehta’s last rites are scheduled for September 12 at 11 a.m. at the Hindu crematorium in Santacruz.