On June 12, 2025, a catastrophic Air India plane crash shook Ahmedabad, Gujarat, claiming 270 lives, including 241 of the 242 passengers onboard and 29 individuals on the ground. Amid the devastation, a heart-wrenching story has emerged: Mahesh Kalawadia, a renowned Gujarati filmmaker known professionally as Mahesh Jirawala, has been missing since the tragedy. His wife, Hetal Kalawadia, is gripped by fear that he may be among the ground victims, leaving their family in a state of agonizing uncertainty.
A Tragic Day in Ahmedabad
The ill-fated Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM. Moments later, it lost radar contact at 625 feet and plummeted into the densely populated Meghaninagar area, crashing into the campus of B.J. Medical College. The impact unleashed a fiery explosion, destroying parts of the college hostel and surrounding areas. The crash, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, left rescue teams scrambling and families desperate for answers.
As authorities work tirelessly to identify victims through DNA testing—47 bodies have been identified and 24 handed over to families as of June 15—Hetal Kalawadia waits in anguish for news of her husband, whose last known location places him perilously close to the crash site.
Mahesh Jirawala: A Creative Force in Gujarati Cinema
Mahesh Jirawala, a Naroda resident, was a celebrated figure in Gujarat’s creative community. As the founder and CEO of Mahesh Jirawala Productions, he carved a niche in crafting visually captivating and emotionally resonant Gujarati music videos and promotional films. His 2019 feature film, Cocktail Premi Pag Of Revenge, starring Asha Panchal and Vruti Thakkar, earned acclaim for its sensitive storytelling and polished direction. Mahesh’s work blended local narratives with professional finesse, earning him a loyal following both in Gujarat and beyond.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mahesh was a devoted husband to Hetal and father to their two children, a daughter and a son. Active on social media, he often shared glimpses of his creative process, from behind-the-scenes footage to teasers of upcoming projects, connecting with fans and collaborators alike.
The Disappearance: A Timeline of Uncertainty
On the morning of June 12, Mahesh left his home in Naroda for a meeting in Ahmedabad’s Law Garden area, approximately 5 kilometers from the crash site. At 1:14 PM, he called Hetal to say his meeting had concluded and he was heading home on his scooter. This was the last time she heard from him. By 1:40 PM, just one minute after the Air India flight took off, Mahesh’s phone was switched off. When he failed to return home, Hetal tried calling, but his phone was unreachable.
Alarmed, Hetal contacted the police, who traced Mahesh’s last mobile location to a spot just 700 meters from the Meghaninagar crash site—a route he would not typically take to return home. “His scooter and mobile phone are still missing,” Hetal told reporters, her voice heavy with worry. “All this is unusual. He would never use that route to come home. I fear he was caught in the crash.” The proximity of his last known location to the disaster zone has fueled her worst fears—that Mahesh may have been among the 29 ground victims killed by falling debris or the ensuing fire.
A Family’s Desperate Wait
With many bodies charred beyond recognition due to the crash’s intensity, authorities are relying on DNA testing to identify victims. Hetal and her family have submitted DNA samples, hoping for closure but dreading the outcome. “We have no answers,” Hetal shared in an emotional statement. “Every moment without him feels like an eternity. We just want to know what happened.”
The Kalawadia family’s plight has resonated deeply within Ahmedabad’s tight-knit community. Neighbors, friends, and colleagues have rallied around them, offering support while grappling with their own shock. Mahesh’s disappearance has also sent ripples through the Gujarati film industry, where peers have taken to social media to honor his legacy, sharing clips of his music videos and expressing hope for his safe return, even as fear grows.
The Crash Investigation and Community Response
The Air India crash has sparked widespread grief and outrage. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose loss has further amplified the tragedy’s impact. The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the crash. Both black boxes have been recovered, and a high-level government committee convened on June 16 to investigate the cause, with initial reports pointing to possible issues with the aircraft’s RAT (Ram Air Turbine) deployment.
Bollywood luminaries, including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Anupam Kher, have expressed their condolences on social media, reflecting the crash’s far-reaching emotional toll. Shah Rukh Khan wrote on X, “Absolutely heartbroken with the news about the crash in Ahmedabad… my prayers for the victims, their families, and all affected.” The Gujarati film fraternity, meanwhile, has been particularly vocal, mourning the potential loss of one of their own.
A Legacy in Limbo
Mahesh Jirawala’s contributions to Gujarati cinema remain a testament to his talent and passion. His ability to weave cultural nuances into compelling visual stories made him a beloved figure in the industry. As his family awaits DNA results, the uncertainty surrounding his fate casts a shadow over his legacy. For Hetal and their children, the hope of finding Mahesh alive battles with the grim reality of the crash’s devastation.
The Ahmedabad plane crash has left an indelible mark on the city, and Mahesh’s disappearance adds a deeply personal layer to the tragedy. As rescue operations continue and investigations unfold, the nation watches, hoping for answers for the Kalawadia family and all those touched by this unimaginable loss.
Keywords: Mahesh Jirawala, Ahmedabad plane crash, Gujarati filmmaker, Air India crash, Meghaninagar, DNA testing, Hetal Kalawadia, Gujarati cinema, missing filmmaker
Sources: Information compiled from recent news reports and social media updates, including statements from Hetal Kalawadia and details about the Air India flight AI-171 crash on June 12, 2025.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 4:04 pm by R Sampath Kumar | Published by: R Sampath Kumar on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 4:04 pm | News Categories: News
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