Air India crash: Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey shuts down media speculation about co-pilot: 'Not my cousin, folks'

In the age of clickbait headlines and "blink-and-you-miss-it" reporting, facts often become the first casualty. Case in point? Vikrant Massey had to take time out of mourning to correct the media—because apparently verifying basic information is optional now.

Following the tragic Air India crash that claimed 241 lives, including First Officer Clive Kunder, actor Vikrant Massey shared a heartfelt message on Instagram mourning the loss. In his tribute, he wrote that Clive was the son of his "uncle" Clifford Kunder—prompting several media outlets to swiftly label the deceased officer as Vikrant’s cousin.

And just like that, the headline machine went into overdrive—never mind confirming the actual relationship.

But Vikrant’s second post put things in perspective. It seemed like a calm but clear clap back to those jumping the gun.

“Dear friends in the media and elsewhere,” he wrote, “the unfortunately deceased Mr Clive Kunder was NOT my cousin. The Kunder's are our family friends. Request no more speculations and let the family and loved ones grieve in peace.”

Translation: please do your homework before publishing.

Let’s rewind. In his initial post, the 12th Fail actor had expressed his sorrow:

“My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today. It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the first officer operating on that fateful night.”

But the nuance of “uncle” as a term of respect or close family friend was evidently too subtle for some publications to grasp. Instead of asking or confirming, they ran with it. And in doing so, added unnecessary noise to an already tragic moment.

About the tragedy:

Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off on June 12. Onboard were 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Only one person survived—the passenger in seat 11A, a British national of Indian origin who is currently being treated in a hospital.

The official statement from Air India read:

“Of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities... We are working closely with authorities and the families of the victims.”

This was one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history.

At a time when empathy, accuracy, and sensitivity should be front and center, it’s disappointing—though not entirely surprising—that some media outlets rushed to misreport familial ties. Vikrant Massey’s response was graceful, but also a necessary reminder:
A condolence post isn’t an open invitation to fabricate a family tree. Journalism 101, people. Let’s do better.