Anil Mehta is Malaika Arora's stepfather, not father

“It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father Anil Mehta…”

Malaika posted a heartfelt statement on Instagram on Wednesday following Mehta's tragic death.

She wrote: “We are deeply saddened to announce the demise of our dear father Anil Mehta.”

“He was a gentle soul, a devoted grandfather, a loving husband and our best friend. Our family is deeply shocked by this loss and we politely request privacy from the media and well-wishers.”

“Mehta”, “Arora”? Fans question surname discrepancy

While Malaika's post sparked a flood of condolences, fans noticed the discrepancy in the last names.

Many comments on her Instagram post questioned why Malaika’s last name is “Arora” and her father’s is “Mehta”.

Some fans also pointed out the small age difference between Malaika and her father, which led to further speculation.

While Malaika is 50 years old, her late father was 65, per India today.

Mehta was Malaika’s stepfather, a close source confirmed

Responding to the online speculation, a source close 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 separated when she was 11, Malaika and her sister Amrita Arora lived with their mother in Chembur, Mumbai.

Little is known about Mehta.

Circumstances of Mehta’s tragic death

The unfortunate incident occurred on Wednesday morning when Mehta fell from the sixth floor balcony of her residence in Bandra.

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 prompted her to search for him.

When she didn't find him on the balcony, she realized something was very wrong and looked down to witness the tragedy.

Mehta’s last call to his daughters

Before the tragic incident, Mehta called his two daughters, Malaika and Amrita, and said, “I am 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, the investigation is still ongoing.

The news of Mehta's death sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry, with friends and fans expressing their condolences.