Shefali Jariwala, who is popularly known as the “Kaanta Laga” music video star, died on June 28, 2025. The actress was 42 years old when she died of a cardiac arrest. Her untimely demise has left the entertainment industry and the entire country numb. Her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, rushed her to a hospital in Mumbai, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Shefali Jariwala Passed Away
According to the early reports, Shefali Jariwala had passed away later in the night as a result of a cardiac arrest. The Mumbai police verified that she made an emergency call to her Andheri residence at about 1 am. They took her to Cooper Hospital, where they conducted a postmortem examination and the case remains under investigation. She was with her husband, Parag Tyagi, during the emergency. Her family and the hospital have thus far never issued an official statement. It was, however, confirmed that it was a sudden cardiac event by sources close to the family.
Health Issues and Past Struggles
During a previous chat with ETimes TV, Shefali disclosed that she witnessed her first epileptic fit at the age of 15. The key triggers were stress and anxiety. She led a healthy lifestyle by exercising frequently, and this helped her control the condition and went years without a seizure.
She also dealt with depression and was a great advocate of mental health awareness. Her collapse from a heart attack has now alerted us to the strains that celebrities, particularly women in the media, are subjected to.
Social Media Reactions and Industry Tributes
Amidst the news of her death, tributes started flooding all quarters of social media. Fans posted emotional text, old video clips and pictures of her most iconic moments.
Celebrity Reactions
One of the other participants of Bigg Boss 13, Arti Singh, said she was stunned:
- It has been less than a week since we made plans. I can’t belief that you are gone, Shefu. Good luck to you.”
- Managers and showrunners who collaborated with Shefali recalled that she was a professional, happy, and life-loving person.
- More followers shared hashtags including #RIPShefaliJariwala and #KaantaLagaGirl in honor of the late Shefali Jariwala on Instagram and Twitter.
Who was Shefali Jariwala?
Maharashtra actress, model, and dancer Shefali Jariwala was born on December 15, 1982, in Mumbai. Shefali turned into a sensation overnight due to her eccentric and bold look in the 2002 remix song video, “Kaanta Laga”. She had finished her schooling at Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, and was a graduate of Computer Applications.
She has no experience in film or television and got into the entertainment business without prior experience but was one of the most identifiable icons of the 2000s due to her distinct screen presence.
Family and Personal Life
The personal life of Shefali Jariwala was not simple. In 2004, she got married to Harmeet Singh, who is the lead singer in the musical duo Meet Bros. In 2009, the marriage came to an end. Shefali had spoken in a previous interview of the emotional turmoil she had experienced, saying that mental resentment and lack of appreciation had led to the emotional distance between them. She was also in a relationship with actor Sidharth Shukla, who died in 2021. They split up, but they treated each other with respect and were on good terms. In 2015, she got married to TV actor Parag Tyagi, who had supported her through all her work and other life struggles. The duo occasionally gave social media snippets of their blissful married life. She did not have any children.
Career Highlights: TV Shows to Music Videos
Rise with Kaanta Laga
Shefali also became an overnight star when she appeared in the remix version of Kaanta Laga, a reworked rendition of the 1972 classic film song composed by RD Burman. Her fashion sense and self-assured performance turned the song into a chartbuster and her into a household name. She was commonly referred to as the Kaanta Laga Girl. She also featured in other trending remixes, such as:
- Sweet Honey Mix (2004) Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Remix
- Kaanta Laga Vol. 2 (2004)
These songs made her a star during the remix music video scene in India.
Bollywood and Regional Film Appearances
In 2004, Shefali appeared in a cameo role in the super-hit Bollywood film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, featuring Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. She has not taken up much film acting but has appeared in the Kannada film Hudugaru (2011), where she is featured in the song “Naa Board Irada Bus.”
Reality Shows and Television Work
Shefali had quite a reputation on Indian television due to her coming to reality shows on TV.
- Boogie Woogie (2008)
- Nach Baliye 5 (2012–2013)
- Nach Baliye 7 (2015-2016)
- Bigg Boss 13 (2019)
She appeared in Bigg Boss 13 hosted by Salman Khan. Being a very strong personality with honest opinions, she became a favorite of the fans.
Her final television work was a 2024 appearance on Shaitani Rasmein, an anthology series aired on Star Bharat and available on JioHotstar.
A Shining Star Gone Too Soon
The untimely death of Shefali Jariwala serves as a sad reminder that life can be unpredictable. She introduced a fresh lease of life to Indian music videos in the early 2000s and managed to stay relevant with reality shows and online content.
Her tale is renaissance, tenacity, and power. Whether it was music videos or TV programs, she created a thriving career on her own. Numerous women were inspired by her straightforwardness, her courage, and her fashion. Shefali Jariwala will always remain in our minds as the trendsetter who will always be remembered, as she passed away too soon.
