The year 2026 has been tough for Bollywood, as they are grieving the loss of their near and dear ones. In a shocking turn of events, actor Sidharth Malhotra's father, Sunil Malhotra, passed away in Delhi on Saturday, February 14. The actor is currently in the capital with his family following the completion of the last rites.
Sidharth and his wife, actor Kiara Advani, travelled to Delhi immediately after receiving the news and have remained in the city to support the family. It was reported that Sunil Malhotra had been unwell for a considerable period before his death.
As per India Today, the family is grieving and has requested privacy at this time. Sidharth was extremely close to his father, and this is an immense loss not only for him but for the entire family.
Sidharth Malhotra mourns father, Sunil Malhotra's death; shares family moments
Sidharth also shared the news on Instagram with a heartfelt note, writing, "He was a man of rare honesty, integrity and culture. He lived by values that never bent. Discipline without harshness. Strength without ego. Positivity, even when life tested him beyond measure."
"Papa, your integrity is my inheritance. Your strength guides me every day. Your positivity still holds this family together," he added.
The loss comes after Sidharth had openly spoken about his father's declining health in an interview last year with Lilly Singh. During the conversation, he admitted that living in Mumbai for work sometimes made him feel guilty, as his mother was left with the responsibility of taking care of his father in Delhi. The actor reflected on the emotional strain of balancing a film career with responsibilities towards ageing parents.
Sunil Malhotra, a former Merchant Navy captain, was instrumental in shaping his son's upbringing. Sidharth has often credited his parents for instilling discipline and humility in him—values he believes helped him stay grounded despite the pressures of fame. Friends say the father-son bond remained strong even as professional commitments kept them in different cities.
Apart from Sidharth Malhotra's father's demise, veteran actor Pravina Deshpande passed away on Tuesday, February 17, after a long battle with cancer. She was 60. The news of her death was confirmed by her family through a statement shared on her official Instagram account.
The note, posted on her Instagram Stories as well as in a separate post, read, "It is with great sadness that we inform you that Mrs Pravina Deshpande has left for her heavenly abode on 17th February 2026."
The Cine & TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) also mourned her loss in a post on X, writing, "CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Pravina Deshpande ji (member since 2008)."
Who was Pravina Deshpande?
Pravina Deshpande is a veteran actress who made her reputation playing supporting rather than main roles. She has acted in Hindi as well as Marathi films.
She was married to Aniruddha Deshpande and has two sons: Abhimanyu and Veer. The cremation ceremony will take place in Mumbai, her family revealed.
She had been fighting with multiple myeloma, and despite her efforts to fight it through therapy, her condition continued to worsen over the last few months.
