The Indian film and fashion fraternity has come together in mourning following the passing of Garima Malhotra, mother of celebrated designer and filmmaker Manish Malhotra, who died aged 94 on Thursday.
A steady stream of Bollywood personalities were seen visiting Malhotra’s residence in Mumbai to offer their condolences, reflecting the deep respect held for the designer and his family within the industry.
Among those in attendance were actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who arrived together to pay their respects. Actor Sidharth Malhotra was also present alongside his wife, Kiara Advani. Varun Dhawan, who worked with Sidharth in Student of the Year, was seen visiting with his wife Natasha Dalal.
Several other prominent names from the film industry also gathered at the residence, including Karisma Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Raveena Tandon and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar.
Despite being the mother of one of Bollywood’s most influential designers, Garima Malhotra largely remained out of the public eye. Known for her quiet dignity and private nature, she chose to stay away from media attention, maintaining a life rooted in family rather than fame.
Those close to the family describe her as a strong and grounding presence in Manish Malhotra’s life, particularly during his early years as he navigated uncertainty in the competitive world of cinema and fashion. Before achieving global recognition as a couturier, Malhotra explored acting and faced several challenges in establishing his career — a period during which his mother’s encouragement played a significant role.
Her influence is said to have shaped many of the values that define Malhotra’s work today, including discipline, cultural appreciation and a strong work ethic. While she remained behind the scenes, her contribution to his journey is widely regarded as profound.
In interviews over the years, Malhotra has occasionally acknowledged the importance of his family’s support system, crediting it for helping him rise from a young aspirant in Mumbai to an internationally recognised name in fashion.
Garima Malhotra’s passing marks the loss of a quiet yet pivotal figure whose legacy lives on through her son’s work and the values she instilled.