Mumbai, June 28: Actor Shefali Jariwala, best known for her iconic single “Kaanta Laga”, passed away Friday night. She was 42.
Jariwala was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in suburban Mumbai by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi.
“She was brought to the hospital around 11:15 pm. The on-duty doctor declared her dead on arrival,” a hospital source said.
The cause of her death is yet to be ascertained.
Earlier, her body was taken to the Cooper hospital for postmortem, the Mumbai Police said. Many media reports claimed that Jariwala died of a heart attack.
Celebrities including playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan, Aarti Singh, Mahira Khan, Rashmi Desai, Vikas Gupta,among others, arrived at the residence of Jariwala in suburban Andheri to offer their condolences to the family.
Her last rites will be performed in the evening.
Jariwala rose to prominence in 2002 with the massive popularity of “Kaanta Laga”, a remix of an old Lata Mangeshkar song from the 1972 movie “Samadhi”.
In the music video, directed by filmmaker duo Vijay Sapru and Radhika Rao, Zariwala showcased bold dance moves that became the defining visual of the remix era.
In an interview with The Times of India in 2020, Zariwala had revealed that she was studying engineering when Rao and Sapru spotted her outside her college and roped her in for the song.
“I was in college then and I come from a family of academicians, so my parents told me to focus on my studies. But I wanted to do it because I was getting paid for it. I earned Rs 7,000 from that song, and I wanted to see myself on TV,” she said.
She also revealed that her father was against the idea of her featuring in the music video.
“My father was completely against it. So first, I took my mom into confidence and then, we both convinced my father. And that song turned out to be such a hit that it was like a fairytale for me. It changed my life completely,” she said.
After the success of the track, which also earned her title of “Kaanta Laga girl”, Zariwala had a cameo appearance in 2004 hit romantic comedy “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”, starring Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
She gained further popularity through her participation in reality shows like “Nach Baliye”, a dance-based show series, with her husband.
She also featured in popular Salman Khan-hosted reality show “Bigg Boss 13”, alongside winner Sidharth Shukla, who died in 2021.
A week before her death, actor Jariwala shared a video of herself getting ready for a shoot, with the caption that read, “It’s time for us to start living life. Like everything is working out in our favour.”
The sudden demise of Jariwala has shocked many industry friends and colleagues, who expressed grief.
Singer Mika Singh said he is unable to fathom the news about the death of his dearest friend, Jariwala.
“I’m deeply shocked, saddened, and feeling a heavy heart… Our beloved star and my dearest friend @shefalijariwala has left us. Still can’t believe it. You will always be remembered for your grace, smile, and spirit. Om Shanti,” Singh wrote.
“I can’t get over this news…my heart is sinking. Shefali,” actor Kamya Punjabi wrote.
Actor Divyanka Tripathi was shocked to learn about Shefali’s demise.
“Still can’t process the news about Shefali. Gone too soon. Deeply sad for her husband and the family,” Tripathi said on X.
Actor-comedian Kiku Sharda fondly recalled his experience of working with Jariwali, who he said was “full of life”.
“This is shocking!!!!!! worked with her on a couple of web shows, she was full of energy, full of life, always greeted all with a big, bright smile. Will miss you, Shefali, you were a beautiful soul. Rest in Peace. Om Shanti,” Sharda said.
Actor Himanshi Khurana posted a photo with Jariwala and wrote, “Bigg Boss that place is cursed I think.”
Actor Aly Goni wrote, “RIP Shefali.”(PTI)
