Shefali Jariwala of ‘Kaanta Laga’, Bigg Boss fame dies at 42

Actor Shefali Jariwala, best known for her breakout performance in the 2002 music video Kaanta Laga, passed away late Friday night at the age of 42.

Jariwala was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in suburban Mumbai around 11:15 pm by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi. She was declared dead on arrival, according to a hospital source.

While early media reports have speculated that the actor suffered a heart attack, there has been no official confirmation from her family or representatives. Mumbai Police, which is investigating the death, said the exact cause remains unknown. Her body was found at her Andheri residence, and police received the call around 1 am Saturday.

“A mobile forensic unit and police team were dispatched to her apartment in the Golden Rays-Y building. The body has been sent to Cooper Hospital for a postmortem examination,” an official said.

Jariwala shot to fame with Kaanta Laga, a remix of a classic Lata Mangeshkar track from the 1972 film Samadhi, which turned her into a pop culture icon overnight. She later gained visibility through reality shows like Nach Baliye, where she participated with her husband, and Bigg Boss 13, hosted by Salman Khan.

News of her sudden demise has left the film and television industry in shock. Singer Mika Singh expressed grief on social media, calling her “my dearest friend,” and added, “Still can’t believe it… you will always be remembered for your grace, smile, and spirit. Om Shanti.”

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Actor Kamya Punjabi posted, “I can’t get over this news…my heart is sinking. Shefali.” Fellow actor Aly Goni also mourned her loss, writing, “RIP Shefali.”

Further details are awaited as the postmortem report is yet to be released.