The funeral of Malaika Arora's stepfather, Anil Mehta, was held in Mumbai on Thursday, September 12. Malaika, her mother Joyce Polycarp, and her son Arhaan Khan were seen leaving their Bandra residence to attend the final rites and bid farewell to Mehta. Heart-wrenching images and videos from the event have been circulating on social media, capturing the emotional moments. ALSO READ: WHAT! Malaika Arora's Father Anil Arora Called Her Hours Before Death! 'I Am Sick and Tired' Were His Last Words
In one video shared by a paparazzo on Instagram, Malaika's mother Joyce is seen breaking down as she leaves for the funeral, visibly devastated by the loss. Both Malaika and Arhaan can be seen consoling her, standing by her side during the difficult moment. Anil Mehta, 65, allegedly died by suicide on the morning of September 11 by jumping off the terrace of his building around 10 a.m. Several Bollywood and television personalities attended the funeral to offer their condolences to the family. Among those who came to pay their respects were Malaika’s ex-boyfriend, actor Arjun Kapoor, and her ex-husband, Arbaaz Khan, who were among the first to arrive at the crematorium. Celebrities such as Saif Ali Khan, Arshad Warsi, Terence Lewis, Gauahar Khan, Geeta Kapur, Shibani Dandekar, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Aditi Govitrikar were also present to show their support for the grieving family. ALSO READ: SHOCKING! Malaika Arora's Father Anil Arora Commits Suicide, Jumps From 7th Floor Of A Mumbai Building - REPORTS
Anil Mehta lived with his family on the sixth floor of Ayesha Manor in Bandra West. His death was discovered when the building’s guards heard a loud noise and found him on the ground. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, he was declared dead upon arrival. The police are currently investigating the incident, although no suicide note has been found. CCTV footage from the building has been retrieved to assist in the investigation.
Malaika Arora later issued an official statement on Instagram on behalf of her family, expressing their grief and requesting privacy during this difficult time. "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," the statement read.
Image Source: Instagram