Lara Dutta's Father, Retired Wing Commander L.K. Dutta, Passes Away
Retired Wing Commander L.K. Dutta, father of actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, has passed away. The family mourns the loss of a respected Air Force veteran and beloved father.
Lara Dutta's Father, Retired Wing Commander L.K. Dutta, Passes Away
Bollywood actor and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta is mourning the loss of her father, Retired Wing Commander L.K. Dutta, who passed away in Mumbai. Lara and her husband, tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, were seen arriving at the funeral to pay their final respects.
In a solemn moment captured on video, the Dutta family—dressed in traditional white attire—gathered for the last rites. The cause of L.K. Dutta’s passing has not been disclosed, and the family has yet to release an official statement.
Lara Dutta shared a deep bond with her father. In a candid appearance on the YouTube talk show Tellis Like It Is, she spoke about his remarkable life and resilience. “My father joined the Indian Air Force at a very young age. He trained at the NDA, flew helicopters, and fought in the 1965, 1969, and 1971 wars,” she said. “At 41, he suffered a heart attack that grounded him for life. With no formal higher education, he suddenly found himself unable to fly and struggling to support three young children.”
The family later moved to Bengaluru, which Lara described as a “retirement paradise.” She recalled, “I was just three years old when my father lost his job. Life was incredibly tough.”
Earlier this year, Lara celebrated a bittersweet moment on May 12—her father’s birthday and the anniversary of her Miss Universe win. In an emotional Instagram post, she wrote:
"Yesterday was a day of roller coaster emotions… the 12th of May... Not just my dad’s birthday, but also the day I won Miss Universe, 25 years ago! Marked the day with a puja to celebrate my father’s life, knowing how fleeting and fragile life is. It’s important to be grateful for the gifts the universe bestows upon us. Thank you for the love and companionship over the last 25 years!"
Lara Dutta, who continues to make her mark in the entertainment industry, is set to appear in the upcoming film Welcome to the Jungle.
L.K. Dutta is remembered as a decorated war veteran, a loving father, and a man of unyielding strength and honour. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on through his family and those he inspired.
