The tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has claimed the life of Gujarati filmmaker Mahesh Kalawadia, known as Mahesh Jirawala. The confirmation came after days of uncertainty and distress for his family, with DNA testing finally verifying his identity among the victims.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, plummeting into a residential area near Meghani Nagar and impacting the B. J. Medical College hostel. The crash resulted in a devastating fire and claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, as well as at least 39 people on the ground.
Initially, Mahesh Jirawala was reported missing after the crash. His last known location was traced to within 700 meters of the crash site. According to his wife, Hetal, he had left home to meet someone near Law Garden and had called her at 1:14 pm to say he was on his way back. However, when she tried to reach him again at 1:40 pm, just minutes after the Air India plane took off, his phone was switched off. The discovery of a burnt Activa scooter registered to Jirawala at the crash site further fueled suspicions that he was among the victims.
The family's initial shock and disbelief made it difficult for them to accept the possibility of his death. It was only after police presented conclusive forensic evidence, including the scooter's chassis number and the confirmed DNA report, that they were able to come to terms with the tragic reality.
Mahesh Jirawala was a respected figure in Gujarat's film industry, known for his work in regional advertorials, music videos, and films. He headed Mahesh Jirawala Productions and was a well-known personality in the creative circles of Gujarat.
The Ahmedabad plane crash has been described as one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent history, claiming the lives of individuals from various nationalities. The impact of the crash was so severe that DNA testing was required to identify many of the victims due to the extent of the damage to the bodies. As of June 19, 2025, authorities had identified 215 victims through DNA matching, with 198 bodies handed over to their families.
The crash investigation is ongoing, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) examining all possible causes, including potential mechanical failure and sabotage. The "black box" units, the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), have been recovered but sustained damage, which might complicate the data retrieval process.
The tragic loss of Mahesh Jirawala has left a void in the Gujarati film industry and has deeply affected his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Hetal, and their two children.
