Actor Malaika Arora has released a statement following the tragic death of her father, Anil Kuldip Mehta. Reports indicate that Mehta, 65, allegedly jumped from his sixth-floor apartment in Bandra’s Ayesha Manor on Wednesday morning. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Arora expressed the family’s profound grief, stating, “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 at 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 emerging from the incident reveal that Mehta had called his daughters shortly before the tragic event, telling them, “I’m tired.” The police have reported that Mehta’s death is being treated as a suicide.
Joyce Polycarp, Mehta’s wife and Arora’s mother, was in the house when the incident occurred. She noticed her husband’s slippers in the living room and, upon realizing he was missing, looked for him. When she leaned over the balcony railing, she saw a commotion below and a security guard shouting for help, leading her to understand the gravity of the situation.
Malaika Arora was en route to an event in Pune at the time of her father’s death. A post-mortem examination is being conducted at Bhabha Hospital.
Arora, who was born in Thane, Mumbai, experienced her parents’ divorce when she was 11 and subsequently moved to Chembur with her mother, Joyce, and her sister, Amrita. Her mother is a Malayali Christian, while her father was Punjabi and worked in the Indian Merchant Navy.
Following the news of Mehta’s death, Malaika’s former husband Arbaaz Khan and her rumored ex-boyfriend Arjun Kapoor were reported to have visited the apartment.
In a recent interview, Malaika reflected on her parents’ divorce, acknowledging that while her childhood was “wonderful,” it was also “tumultuous” and “not easy,” offering her a new perspective on her mother.
