Director Mahesh Jirawala goes missing after Air India crash in Ahmedabad, family submits DNA samples

Film director Mahesh Kalawadia, popularly known as Mahesh Jirawala, has been missing since the tragic Air India plane crash that took place on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad. His family is worried and heartbroken, as they have not heard from him since the incident. They have submitted his DNA samples to the authorities, hoping to get some answers about his whereabouts.

Mahesh Jirawala, who directed several music albums, was in Ahmedabad on the day of the accident. His wife, Hetal, said that he had gone to meet someone in the Law Garden area and called her around 1:14 pm, informing her that the meeting was over and he would be heading home. But Mahesh never returned.

After several unanswered calls, his phone got switched off. The family immediately informed the police. After tracking his last mobile location, the police confirmed that Mahesh's phone was last active just 700 metres away from the site of the plane crash. This made the family even more anxious.

Deadly plane crash

The incident occurred when Air India Flight AI171, which was flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just minutes after takeoff. The crash site was located near the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, close to a medical college campus. The plane had 242 people on board. Sadly, 241 passengers and crew members died in the crash. Additionally, 29 people on the ground also lost their lives due to the impact of the crash. Only one person on board survived the tragedy.

The aircraft lost contact with the radar when it was flying at just 625 feet. It lost control and crashed into buildings on the ground, including parts of the medical college. Emergency services were immediately deployed, and the rescue operations began. The accident has left the nation in shock, with many families still waiting for confirmation about their loved ones.

The authorities are now working hard to identify the victims. Since many of the bodies were severely burned and damaged in the crash and fire, DNA testing has become necessary. By Sunday, June 15, authorities had confirmed the identification of 47 victims through DNA samples. Many families, including Mahesh Jirawala’s, are still waiting for updates.

Hetal, Mahesh's wife, said that her husband had no plans to board any flight. He was just attending a meeting and heading home. Since his phone was last active close to the crash site, the family fears he might have been caught in the destruction that happened on the ground, not on the plane.

The loss of life from this crash has deeply saddened the country. The investigation is still ongoing to understand what caused such a massive tragedy in such a short span of time after takeoff.

Bollywood expresses grief

The heartbreaking news of the Air India crash shocked not only the families but also Bollywood celebrities, many of whom took to social media to express their condolences and sorrow. Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, and Sunny Deol were among the big names who offered prayers and support to the victims and their families.

They posted heartfelt messages on their Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts. The stars wrote about how deeply they were affected by the news and urged fans to stand with the families of the victims during this difficult time.

Some actors also requested the government and authorities to provide quick help to the grieving families and speed up the identification process. They said the uncertainty was only adding more pain to already heartbroken people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad and met the lone survivor of the crash. He also offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

Many people across India are still talking about the scale of this disaster and how sudden and unexpected it was. With so many lives lost, the crash has become one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history.

Families of the missing are still waiting at hospitals, DNA collection centers, and disaster offices for news about their loved ones. Psychological counselors have also been arranged to help the grieving families deal with the trauma.

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Mahesh Jirawala’s background

Mahesh Kalawadia, known by his industry name Mahesh Jirawala, had built a career directing music videos and small-budget films. He was respected in the Gujarati and Hindi entertainment circles and had been working on new projects before the crash happened.

Friends and fans have been sharing his pictures and videos on social media, praying for his safe return. However, with each passing day and no update, the hope is slowly fading. The family has urged people to pray and continue supporting them as they wait for the DNA test results.

In this painful time, Mahesh’s family is trying to stay strong. They are not losing hope but also preparing for the worst, as many victims were found badly injured or burnt.

Authorities say that the DNA identification process might take several days or weeks, depending on the number of samples and the availability of lab resources.

For now, all that Mahesh Jirawala’s family, and many others like them, can do is wait—with tears, prayers, and patience.