Shefali Jariwala, the popular model and actress who shot to fame with the iconic "Kaanta Laga" song, has passed away at the age of just 42. Indian media outlets reported that she died from a heart attack in the early hours of Friday (June 27).
Upon feeling unwell, she was rushed to Mumbai's Bellevue Multispecialty Hospital, but doctors declared her brought dead upon arrival. Her body is currently at Cooper Hospital for post-mortem examination.
According to reports from the Times of India and Movie Talkies, Shefali was brought to the hospital by her husband, Parag Tyagi, and two close friends. Indian journalist Vicky Lalwani stated on social media, citing hospital staff, that doctors pronounced Shefali dead on arrival. Cardiologist Dr. Lula also confirmed the news.
Born on December 15, 1982, in Mumbai, Shefali earned a BSc degree in Information Technology from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology in Gujarat.
Shefali Jariwala shot to overnight stardom in 2002 with the remix video of the Indi-pop song "Kaanta Laga." The remake of the 1970s Hindi film song "Samriddhi" became immensely popular at the time. Her bold portrayal in the song made Shefali a focal point of both discussion and controversy, earning her the moniker 'Kaanta Laga Girl'. She also had a cameo appearance in the Bollywood film 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' starring Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. In total, Shefali worked on over 35 music videos.
However, after her initial success, she unexpectedly withdrew from the glamour world. In an interview, she revealed that she had been suffering from epilepsy for 15 years, which required her to be very selective about her work. She later recovered through treatment and returned to normal life.
Shefali also navigated many ups and downs in her personal life. Her first marriage in 2002 did not last, and in 2009, she accused her husband of mental and physical abuse, leading to their divorce. She later became involved with actor Parag Tyagi and married him in 2014. The couple participated in the popular reality show 'Nach Baliye 5'.
Beyond acting, Shefali Jariwala was a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and women's rights. She was often in the news for her candid and confident presence on social media. Her untimely demise has left the Bollywood fraternity and her fans in shock. Colleagues, friends, and admirers are remembering her on social media as a "bright, fearless, and inspiring" artist.
The exact cause of Shefali's death has not yet been confirmed. Doctors have stated that the full picture will become clear once the post-mortem report is available.
