The tragic plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, claimed 270 lives, including 241 passengers and crew, along with residents and locals on the ground. The massive fire broke out after the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed at the BJ Medical College mess. Gujarati filmmaker, Mahesh Kalawadia, who was missing since that day, has now officially been confirmed dead after DNA test results matched with his mortal remains.
Burnt scooter and DNA test confirm Mahesh Jirawala’s identity
Mahesh Kalawadia, also known in the film industry as Mahesh Jirawala, had been missing since June 12, 2025, and the last location of his mobile phone was traced at a location 700 meters from the crash site. While his whereabouts were uncertain and his family was in denial of the reality, a charred Activa scooter was discovered at the crash site in the Shahibaug area, which was later confirmed to be registered under Jirawala’s name.
Despite this strong circumstantial evidence, Jirawala’s bereaved family clung to the hope that the 34-year-old had somehow survived. However, after conclusive DNA test results and police identification of the scooter’s engine and chassis number, the heartbroken family accepted the truth and claimed his body.
Mahesh Jirawala had been missing since June 12, 2025
The 34-year-old filmmaker had left home on June 12, 2025, to meet someone in Ahmedabad’s Law Garden area but never returned. When his phone became unreachable, Jirawala’s family lodged a missing persons report. After checking over 100 CCTV clips, his location was eventually located close to the crash site near the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, and his presence in the area moments before the tragic accident was confirmed. According to the family, Mahesh was going about his routine work in the city, making the news of his involvement in the crash even harder to accept.
Mahesh Jirawala was among the ground victims of the Air India Crash
Unfortunately, Mahesh Jirawala was one of the 29 ill-fated individuals who lost their lives on the ground when Flight AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a medical college campus shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The devastating incident killed 241 of the 242 people on board, leaving only a lone British survivor. Gujarat’s former CM, Vijay Rupani, was among the 241 people on the flight.
So far, 231 crash victims have been identified by DNA testing, and 210 bodies have been handed over to the families. The identification and handover are still in process.
About Mahesh Jirawala
Mahesh Jirawala was a popular name in the Gujarati entertainment industry. As the CEO of Mahesh Jirawala Productions, he has directed several music videos and advertisements. In 2019, Jirawala directed the film, Cocktail Premi Pag Of Revenge, featuring Asha Panchal and Vruti Thakkar in lead roles.
The 34-year-old filmmaker’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the Gujarati film fraternity. Mahesh is survived by his wife, Hetal, and their two young children, a daughter and a son.
Our deepest condolences to Mahesh Jirawala’s family in these testing times.
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