Anil Mehta is Malaika Arora's stepfather, not father
Malaika Arora and her family are mourning the loss of Anil Kuldip Mehta who tragically died after falling from his sixth-floor balcony in Bandra on Wednesday. The incident has left fans puzzled as they noticed a discrepancy between Malaika's surname and that of her late family member. Many online users questioned why Malaika referred to him as "Mehta" instead of "Arora," leading to speculations about their relationship.
'Saddened to announce passing of our dear father, Anil Mehta...'
Malaika shared a heartfelt statement on Instagram on Wednesday following Mehta's tragic demise. She wrote, "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."
'Mehta,' 'Arora'? Fans questioned surname discrepancy
While Malaika's post received an outpouring of condolences, fans couldn't help but notice the surname discrepancy. Many comments on her Instagram post questioned why Malaika's last name was "Arora" and her father's was "Mehta." Some fans also pointed out the small age gap between Malaika and her father, leading to further speculation. While Malaika is 50 years old, her late father was 65, per India Today.
Mehta was Malaika's stepfather, confirmed close source
In response to the online speculations, a close source to the family confirmed that Mehta was indeed Malaika's stepfather. Malaika's biological father, Anil Arora, was a Punjabi who worked in the Indian Merchant Navy. Her mother, Joyce Polycarp, is a Malayali Christian. After her parents' separation when she was 11 years old, Malaika and her sister Amrita Arora lived with their mother in Chembur, Mumbai. Little is known about Mehta.
Circumstances surrounding Mehta's tragic death
The unfortunate incident took place on Wednesday morning when Mehta fell from the sixth-floor balcony of their Bandra residence. Malaika's mother, Polycarp, shared the details of the incident with Mumbai Police. She recalled seeing Mehta's slippers in the living room that morning, which led her to search for him. When she didn't find him on the balcony, she realized something was terribly wrong and looked down to witness the tragedy unfold.
Mehta's last phone call to his daughters
Before the tragic incident, Mehta made a phone call to both of his daughters, Malaika and Amrita, saying, "I'm tired." This conversation took place shortly before his fall from the balcony, leading many to believe that he may have been struggling with personal issues, and committed suicide. However, an investigation is still underway. The news of Mehta's death has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry, with friends and fans expressing their condolences.
