Shefali Jariwala, who became a household name with the early 2000s music video Kaanta Laga and later rose to national fame through her appearance on Bigg Boss 13, passed away in Mumbai late on Friday. She was 42.
Her sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Indian entertainment fraternity and among fans, many of whom remember her as the quintessential "Kaanta Laga girl", a label she embraced with pride throughout her career.
Confirming the development, a senior Mumbai Police official said, “Actress Shefali Jariwala has passed away at the age of 42. Her body was found at her residence in the Andheri area of Mumbai.” Authorities received the alert around 1 am and initiated formal procedures thereafter.
Shefali was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri by her husband, television actor Parag Tyagi, but was declared dead upon arrival. The cause of her death remains unknown as of now, with the family yet to issue an official statement.
The actress’s body was subsequently taken to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Late into the night, Mumbai Police personnel arrived at her Andheri residence, where they began questioning members of her domestic staff, including her cook and house help. A mobile forensic team was also deployed to conduct a detailed inspection of the home. Although authorities have not confirmed foul play, the presence of forensic experts indicates that the circumstances are being treated as suspicious.
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Parag Tyagi was seen leaving Cooper Hospital late on Saturday night, visibly devastated. Heart-wrenching visuals of his departure have surfaced on social media, prompting an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow artistes.
Shefali had carved a distinct place in the entertainment world. Her breakout performance in Kaanta Laga (2002) turned her into a pop culture sensation, making her one of the most recognised faces of Indian music videos in the early 2000s. She later acted in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), sharing screen space with Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Priyanka Chopra.
She went on to participate in Bigg Boss 13, where her assertive demeanour and candidness stood out. She was also seen in dance reality shows Nach Baliye 5 and Nach Baliye 7, alongside her husband, whom she married in 2015.
A resurfaced interview with Paras Chhabra, now circulating widely on social media, shows Shefali reflecting on her lasting association with her debut music video. “Never… There can only be one Kaanta Laga girl in the whole world and that is me. I love it. And I want to be known as the Kaanta Laga girl till the day I die,” she had said.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association expressed its condolences through a post on the social media platform X.
“Shefali Jariwala is no longer with us. Gone too soon at just 42 due to a sudden heart attack. It’s hard to believe she’s gone. May her soul rest in peace, and may God give strength to her family during this heartbreaking time,” the association wrote.
Away from the spotlight, Jariwala had spoken publicly about her struggles with epilepsy and became a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and women's empowerment. Her openness about personal challenges was regarded as courageous and empowering by many.
Her sudden demise has not only left a void in the world of music and television but has also reignited conversations about health and well-being in the entertainment industry.
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