Bala voices concern for ex-wife Dr Elizabeth Udayan after Air India crash hits her college

On Thursday, tragedy struck when an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed just moments after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board. The plane crashed into the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, a facility where actor Bala’s former wife, Dr. Elizabeth Udayan, is currently studying and working. In the wake of the accident, Bala and his current wife, Kokila, extended their support to Elizabeth, despite a reportedly strained past relationship.

Actor Bala and his wife Kokila expresses concern for his ex-wife

Taking to Instagram on Friday, Bala posted a heartfelt message on behalf of himself and Kokila. “Shocking news about the Ahmedabad plane crash. How can we even begin to console ourselves? My deepest condolences,” he wrote. Addressing Elizabeth directly, he added, “Doctor Elizabeth, my prayers are always with you. Be safe. Seek God’s blessings. Bala, Kokila.”

Bala and Dr. Elizabeth tied the knot in 2021, though the exact timeline of their separation remains unclear. Both had previously hinted at a turbulent split. Bala remarried earlier this year in 2024 to Kokila. Dr. Elizabeth, currently pursuing her post-graduation in transfusion medicine at BJ Medical College, took to Facebook shortly after the incident to confirm her safety. She expressed sorrow over the devastating loss of her colleagues and students, writing, “Plane crash at our college. Please pray for the families affected by this disaster. I am safe, but many of our colleagues and MBBS students have died or are injured. Please pray for them.”

Air India issued a public statement on X, detailing the crash. “The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs with 230 passengers and 12 crew members. It crashed shortly after takeoff. Sadly, 241 fatalities have been confirmed. One British national of Indian origin survived and is receiving treatment.” The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian.