Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the loss of his father, Sunil Malhotra, who passed away in New Delhi on February 14. He had been unwell for some time.
On Tuesday, the actor shared the news on Instagram along with a deeply personal tribute and photographs honoring his father’s life. In his note, Sidharth reflected on the values and strengths that defined his father.
“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. From commanding the seas as a Merchant Navy Captain to facing illness with quiet courage, he never compromised, never lost his grace. Even when the stroke confined him to a wheelchair, his spirit stood tall. Papa, your integrity is my inheritance. Your strength guides me every day. Your positivity still holds this family together. You left us peacefully in your sleep, but the space you leave behind is immeasurable. I am who I am because of you. And I will carry your name, your values and your light forward always. Love you Dad.”
Sunil Malhotra served as a captain in the Merchant Navy and was known for his disciplined life and strong moral values. In recent years, he had been dealing with health challenges, including a stroke that left him using a wheelchair. Despite these difficulties, Sidharth described his father as someone who remained graceful and resilient.
Last year, in an interview with Lilly Singh, Sidharth spoke openly about his father’s declining health and how it affected the family. He shared how the situation made him reflect on his parents’ sacrifices.
“My father’s not been healthy for a while, and me being scared or angry at times, tend to be a little more harsh on my mother because she’s the one who’s taking care of the meds. My father’s not keeping well to do that. We got up one morning and just having coffee and tea in Delhi and she started speaking about 20 years back… what she had to deal with when we were much younger or when I wasn’t there or when I was trying to make my own life.”
The actor’s message has drawn an outpouring of condolences from fans and members of the film industry. Many have expressed support and shared messages of strength for the Malhotra family during this difficult time.
