Mumbai is mourning the untimely passing of actress and model Shefali Jariwala, widely recognized as the ‘Kaanta Laga’ girl and a prominent contestant from ‘Bigg Boss 13’. Shefali, aged 42, tragically succumbed to a cardiac arrest on June 27, 2025, sending shockwaves across the entertainment industry and her vast fanbase.
Reports from multiple sources confirm the heartbreaking news. Shefali Jariwala was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri, Mumbai, by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, and three other individuals. Despite immediate efforts, she was declared dead upon arrival. Hospital reception staff confirmed her demise to Times of India, stating that she had already passed away before reaching the facility. Following the initial confirmation, her body was subsequently transferred to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem examination, as reported by journalist Vickey Lalwani and confirmed by Dr. Sushant from Bellevue Hospital to Hindustan Times and India Forums. Her husband, Parag Tyagi, was later seen visibly distraught outside Cooper Hospital, reflecting the profound personal loss.
Shefali Jariwala rose to national prominence at the young age of 20 with her iconic appearance in the 2002 music video for the remix song ‘Kaanta Laga’. The song, a remix of a popular 1972 tune, became a defining anthem of early 2000s Indian pop culture, establishing Shefali as a household name. Her bold look and memorable dance moves captivated audiences, setting a trend for remix videos at the time.
Her career spanned various facets of the entertainment world. She showcased her dancing prowess alongside Parag Tyagi in the reality dance shows ‘Nach Baliye 5’ and ‘Nach Baliye 7’. She also appeared in the ALT Balaji web series ‘Baby Come Naa’ (2018) and films like ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004). However, it was her impactful participation in ‘Bigg Boss 13’ (2019-2020) that further solidified her connection with a wider audience, where she was admired for her candidness and resilience.
Born on December 15, 1982, Shefali Jariwala was a graduate in Computer Applications. Her personal life saw her marry musician Harmeet Singh of Meet Bros in 2004, a marriage that ended in divorce in 2009. She later found love and married actor Parag Tyagi in 2015. Beyond her on-screen persona, Shefali was known for her openness about personal struggles. She had previously revealed to E Times TV (as cited by Wikipedia) that she experienced her first epileptic seizure at 15, attributing them to stress and anxiety. She had successfully managed to remain seizure-free through a dedicated exercise regimen and was also vocal about combating depression, advocating for mental health awareness.
The news of her sudden demise has deeply saddened her colleagues and fans, leading to an outpouring of grief across social media platforms. Tributes and condolences poured in from various celebrities. Aly Goni, Rajiv Adatia, Monalisa, and Divyanka Tripathi expressed their shock and sorrow on social media, with Divyanka writing, “Still can’t process the news about Shefali. Gone too soon. Deeply sad for her husband and the family.” Singer Mika Singh also conveyed his disbelief, stating he “still can’t believe it” about his close friend’s passing. Her husband, Parag Tyagi, was seen visibly distraught and heartbroken outside Cooper Hospital, reflecting the profound personal loss.
Shefali Jariwala’s vibrant presence and contributions to the Indian entertainment industry will be profoundly missed. Her legacy as a pop culture icon and a personality who inspired many through her openness will undoubtedly endure.
