The body of Gujarati filmmaker Mahesh Kalawadia—widely known in the film community as Mahesh Jirawala—has been officially identified, bringing heartbreaking closure to a mystery that had tormented his family for over a week.
The confirmation came through DNA testing, linking charred remains found near the Shahibaug crash site to the 34-year-old director. A scorched Activa scooter found nearby had already hinted at the tragedy, but his family refused to believe it—until forensic science left no room for doubt.
A Family Gripped by Denial and Hope
Even after the crash, the family held on.
The shattered scooter’s chassis number and preliminary evidence pointed clearly toward Jirawala’s death, but the emotional toll on the family was so immense they couldn’t bring themselves to accept it.
For days, they clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, he had survived and walked away. Police officers made multiple visits, but the family refused to claim the body until the final test came in.
Then came the DNA match.
That was the end of hope, and the beginning of grief.
Mahesh’s wife Hetal and their two children—a young son and daughter—now face life without him.
Final Clues That Led to the Truth
As hours turned into days, more signs began pointing to one conclusion.
Jirawala’s mobile phone, which hadn’t been reachable since the crash, was last pinged near the site. That same location—near Meghaninagar—was where Flight AI171 fell out of the sky, plowing into the grounds of a medical college.
It was 1:39pm when the aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. And just minutes later, it went down.
Jirawala had been in the vicinity. That much was clear. But without a body or definitive ID, everything remained speculation. Until it wasn’t.
A Filmmaker’s Legacy, Cut Short
In the Gujarati cinema scene, Mahesh wasn’t just a name. He was a hustler. A do-it-all creative force behind music videos, advertorials, and films that resonated with local audiences.
His 2019 movie Cocktail Premi Pag Of Revenge may not have broken national headlines, but it developed a cult following in Gujarat. The film, starring Asha Panchal and Vruti Thakkar, was quirky, bold, and experimental—much like Mahesh himself.
“He had plans,” said a friend from the industry who asked not to be named. “He wanted to take Gujarati films into bigger platforms, even OTT. He was working on a script.”
Mahesh wasn’t a big-budget name, but he was the kind of filmmaker regional cinema thrives on—obsessed, involved, tireless.
The Tragedy That Shook a City
Flight AI171’s crash will haunt Ahmedabad for years.
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Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
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Registration: VT-ANB
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Departure Time: 1:39pm, June 12
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Death Toll: 270 total (241 onboard, 29 on ground)
The jet was headed for London, packed with international passengers and crew. But it never made it past the city skyline.
In a cruel twist, most victims had no connection to the flight—like Mahesh, who just happened to be nearby. Officials are still investigating the cause, though early theories point to a mid-air systems failure.
Below is a summary of key data from the incident:
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | AI171 |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner |
| Crash Date | June 12, 2025 |
| Time of Takeoff | 1:39pm IST |
| Location of Crash | Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad |
| Deaths Onboard | 241 |
| Deaths on Ground | 29 |
| Total Confirmed Deaths | 270 |
The official report from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected within weeks, but local authorities have already ruled out foul play.
Community Reacts With Shock and Silence
The Gujarati film fraternity is tight-knit, and the silence since the confirmation says more than words ever could.
No tributes yet. No memorial. Just disbelief.
“He was supposed to be at a shoot next week,” said a junior cinematographer who worked with him last year. “He texted us the day before. I can’t even delete the chat.”
Social media, especially Gujarati Facebook pages and fan groups, has been flooded with old interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, and movie posters. Many fans didn’t even know Mahesh’s real name was Kalawadia.
To them, he was just “Jirawala Sir”—the guy who always shouted “one more take” and had this odd habit of filming everything on his phone, even rehearsals.
A Life Lived Between the Lens and the Local Streets
He wasn’t famous. But he mattered.
Mahesh wasn’t born with a silver spoon. Born and raised in Gujarat, he built his name from scratch. No big studio backing. Just passion, a secondhand camera, and dozens of sleepless nights.
He worked odd jobs—weddings, music events, real estate ads—anything that kept the reels rolling.
Friends remember his obsession with angles and light. His wife, Hetal, used to complain he never turned off his brain. Even at dinner, he’d be thinking about camera placement.
And now, the lens is empty.
