Sidharth Malhotra’s father Sunil Malhotra dies; actor pens heartfelt tribute: ‘You left us peacefully in your sleep’
Sidharth Malhotra shared a throwback picture, where he was seen with Kiara Advani and his father in a lighthearted moment.
Updated on: Feb 17, 2026 10:04 PM ISTBy Santanu Das
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Actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the loss of his father, Sunil Malhotra. The actor’s father has died, as confirmed by his latest Instagram post on Tuesday evening. The actor shared a series of pictures, ranging from childhood to the present, showing him sharing heartwarming moments with him. Sidharth paid a heartfelt tribute to his father, calling him a man of ‘rare honesty, integrity and culture.’
Sidharth pays tribute
In the first picture, baby Sidharth was seen in Sunil’s arms. A second picture showed Sidharth with his brother Harshad as they posed together. Kiara Advani was also present in one of the pictures, as Sid held his father’s hand in a happier moment. In the caption, Sidharth began, “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.”
He added, “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.”
‘The space you leave behind is immeasurable’
The note read, “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, a former Merchant Navy captain, was known to be an important influence in Sidharth’s upbringing and career journey. His passing marks a profound personal loss for the actor, who has often credited his parents for keeping him grounded despite fame.
Sidharth was last seen in the film Param Sundari. On the personal front, Sidharth and Kiara welcomed their first child, a daughter named Saraayah Malhotra, on 15 July 2025 at Reliance Hospital in Mumbai. The pair kept the early days of parenthood private, only sharing their daughter’s name with fans later in November, calling their baby girl “our princess” and “our divine blessing” in a joint Instagram post.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORSantanu Das
Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and film festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several film festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent film/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic. When not watching films or speaking to celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One’s Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and celebrity culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupechaRead More
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