Jaipur: Actor Dia Mirza on Monday broke down during a panel discussion regarding climate change at the Jaipur Literature Festival here.
Kobe Bryant’s death
On being asked later about what made her emotional, Mirza said, “My day started really well yesterday (January 26)… At around 3 (early morning) this news alert came on my phone for a very big player, NBA player who I followed for a while.” She said referring to Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven others.
“His chopper crashing in California disturbed me. It really upset me. There are different things that upset us on different days, but we take care of ourselves. I was overwhelmed because my blood pressure was low,” she added.
Helicopter crash
American basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant were among the nine people killed when a helicopter they were travelling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas.
Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the helicopter crash, the FAA said in a statement.
“Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court – and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted.
“He will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles, and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes. This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe’s entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief,” Garcetti said.