In a tragic turn of events, Anil Kuldip Mehta, the father of Bollywood actress Malaika Arora, reportedly took his own life by jumping from the balcony of his sixth-floor apartment in Mumbai’s Bandra area. The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning, leaving the family and the public in deep shock.
Malaika Arora and her sister Amrita were informed of their father’s distressing message before the incident. According to reports, Mehta, aged 65, had called both his daughters and expressed his exhaustion by saying, “I’m tired.” These calls reportedly came just before he allegedly leaped from his residence at Ayesha Manor.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Malaika Arora and her family expressed their profound grief over the loss. The statement read, “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.”
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Reports indicate that Anil Mehta’s wife, Joyce Polycarp, was at home when the tragedy occurred. Around 9 a.m., Joyce noticed Mehta’s slippers in the living room, which prompted her to search for him. When she could not find him on the balcony, she leaned over the railing and saw a commotion below, with a security guard calling for help. This is when she realized the severity of the situation.
The Mumbai Police have confirmed that Mehta’s death was a result of suicide. A post-mortem examination is currently being conducted at Bhabha Hospital to determine the exact cause of death.
Malaika Arora, who was raised in Chembur with her mother Joyce and sister Amrita after her parents’ divorce, has had a complex family background. Her mother, Joyce, is of Malayali Christian descent, while her late father, Anil Mehta, was of Punjabi origin and worked in the Indian Merchant Navy.
Following the news of Anil Mehta’s death, Malaika’s former husband Arbaaz Khan and her rumoured ex-boyfriend Arjun Kapoor were reportedly seen visiting the family’s residence to offer their support.
In a recent interview, Malaika had shared that despite her “wonderful” childhood, it was “tumultuous” and “not easy,” reflecting the challenges her family faced. The passing of her father under such tragic circumstances adds another layer of sorrow to her personal history.
