Actress Vidya Malavade, known for her role in "Chak De! India," recently shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, commemorating 25 years since the death of her first husband, Captain Arvind Singh Bagga. In her post, she reflected on the profound impact of his loss and how it continues to resonate with her.
Vidya Malavade was married to Captain Arvind Singh Bagga, who tragically died in a plane crash in 2000. While she did not specify the exact flight in her recent post, she has spoken about it previously. The actress was working as a flight attendant when the tragedy occurred. She recalled receiving the news while she was in Frankfurt, Germany.
In her recent Instagram post, Vidya expressed the deep void left by her husband's absence. "25 years of not looking into your eyes touching your face, holding you, talking nonstop nonsense driving you nuts laughing with you, crying in your arms, & feeling 'safe' some connects live life after," she wrote, conveying the enduring nature of their bond. She added, "A lifetime of unanswered questions! & even though I live life with no regrets..sometimes you miss someone for the way they made you feel..just makes us realise how fragile..precious & unpredictable life is..hold our dear ones close".
Vidya also mentioned how the recent Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, which resulted in 242 fatalities, deeply affected her. She stated, "The crash on 12th June hit where it hurts the most…& even though I may be forgetful…those memories, every single detail still so fresh in my mind…including how I FELT at what moment". The incident served as a stark reminder of the Alliance Air Flight crash in 2000, which claimed the life of her husband, who was flying the plane.
In a past interview with Bollywood Hungama, Vidya opened up about the recovery process after her husband's death, emphasizing the role of yoga in healing her. She revealed that she had experienced a premonition before the crash. "I called my friend up before I took my flight and I told them that, uh listen I I told my friend I said listen I don't know what is happening but I just feel like something very bad is going to happen in my life right now and I don't know I don't I don't know how to stop it and I don't know what to do so I'm just like what do I do," she said.
Vidya also spoke about the initial aftermath of the tragedy, "I was obviously I was upset. I was angry. I was in a lot of pain there was so many emotions that I was dealing with at one time and uh also fear because it was you know it I I loved somebody and and I it was suddenly um time to grow up".
The Alliance Air Flight 7412, a Boeing 737-200, crashed on July 17, 2000, near Patna Airport, killing 60 people. The flight was en route from Calcutta to Delhi, with stops in Patna and Lucknow. According to the official report, the crash was attributed to pilot error, as the crew did not follow the correct approach procedure, leading to the aircraft stalling.
Vidya Malavade's journey reflects resilience and strength in the face of profound loss. Her ability to navigate grief, embrace life, and share her experiences inspires many.
