Sanjay Gupta's Family Seeks Privacy and Time to Grieve

Mumbai, November 2: Days after the death of filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, his family is seeking space and privacy as they mourn. His wife, Anuradha Lekhi Gupta, has made an emotional appeal to the media, asking that her children be allowed to heal from the loss of their father without further intrusion.

Her request comes amid widespread discussion over a video recorded outside the cremation ground. The clip, which has gone viral, has drawn strong reactions from social media users, many of whom have criticised the behaviour of Sanjay's children.

According to reports circulating online, his daughter was seen making a middle finger gesture toward paparazzi outside the cremation ground, and his son was seen making a similar gesture. Social media users also questioned why the two appeared to be smiling and laughing as they travelled by car after the cremation.

Filmmaker Milap Javeri shared a note from Anuradha on his social media account. She began by thanking everyone who had supported the family during this painful phase. 'Thank you sincerely for your condolences and encouragement during this very difficult time,' she wrote. 'A significant part of our life has gone away forever, and nothing can replace it.'

Anuradha also shared how Sanjay died. She said he accidentally fell and sustained serious head injuries, which led to his untimely death. She described him as a man who loved his family and children deeply. 'Our children are in their teens and have suddenly lost their father. They are trying to make sense of this grief and slowly learn to live with it.'

She then addressed the media and social media users directly. Her children, she said, have always stayed away from cameras and paparazzi. 'Their privacy was suddenly disturbed at a time when they were already shattered, and it has upset them greatly. Some of their reactions in this moment of mourning may have been directed toward members of the media, and I am sorry for that. Please try to view these reactions through the eyes of a child who has just lost a father and is still trying to accept it.'

She requested everyone to be gentle with the children. 'Please forgive them and take down content that could affect their minds for a long time. I request that they be given privacy, sensitivity and the time they need to grieve for their father.'

Milap Javeri, while posting the statement, wrote, 'This is an appeal to all my friends in the media.'

Sanjay Gupta died on October 30 at the age of 57. Early police findings suggest that his balance failed at night at his Versova residence in Mumbai, and he fell in the kitchen and struck a wall, suffering a severe head injury. Family members were asleep at the time. He was taken to hospital the next morning after the incident was discovered, and doctors declared him dead. Versova police registered an accidental death report and began an investigation.