‘It wasn’t easy’: Malaika Arora on losing her father, work and mental health

Actress Malaika Arora lost her stepfather, Anil Mehta, in September this year. Malaika’s father reportedly fell off his home’s balcony; however, the police declared it a suicide.

Malaika has previously spoken about how her stepfather’s death has affected her and her family. In a new statement, she has stated that resuming work has helped her balance her mental health.

Moving on, moving forward

Opening up about working after her father’s demise, Malaika said in a statement to the media, "We all need to keep moving forward... that's what my father would have wanted for me. I’m grateful for the time I took to process the loss. It wasn’t easy, but it's important to give ourselves space to heal. Coming back to work helps me stay focused, balance my mental health, and gives me the clarity to take care of my mother and family."

Death investigation

Malaika has urged her fans and the media to give her family some privacy and space while an investigation into her stepfather’s death is underway.

She also had a lowkey birthday celebration as she turned 49, unlike the usual celebrations. As of now, she has taken a deep dive into her work to attain balance and get her mind off the grief.

Malaika's loss

Malika’s stepfather, Anil Mehta, passed away on September 11 in Mumbai. According to the police, he died by suicide at his Bandra residence. An investigation is currently underway regarding the same. Anil Mehta was laid to rest at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium in Mumbai later that week. Many members of the filmfraternity also gathered to pay their respects.