New Delhi:
Actor Malaika Arora’s father died by suicide this morning, the police said. Sixty-five-year-old Anil Kuldip Mehta jumped from his apartment building in Mumbai’s Bandra, the police said, adding that the incident took place at 9 am. Malaika Arora was reportedly on her way to Pune when the incident occurred. The actor later reached her Mumbai residence.
Her ex-husband and actor Arbaaz Khan arrived at Anil Mehta’s residence. The police have sent the body for a post-mortem and a probe is underway.
Arbaaz Khan’s sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri also reached Anil Mehta’s residence.
Malaika’s parents divorced when she was 11 years old and she moved to Chembur with her mother, Joyce Polycarp, and sister Amrita Arora. Anil Mehta earlier worked in the Merchant Navy.
In a recent interview with a fashion magazine, Malaika said that even though her childhood was “wonderful” it was “not easy” and said it was “tumultuous”, news agency IANS quoted her as saying.
The actor in an Instagram post said, “The family is still in shock, and has requested privacy in these testing times.”
“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,” she added.