Shefali Jariwala (42), “Kaanta Laga” Girl and Bigg Boss 13 Contestant, Dies of Cardiac Arrest!!

Mumbai, June 27, 2025 – The entertainment industry and millions of fans across the nation are mourning the sudden and untimely death of actress and model Shefali Jariwala, who passed away on Friday at the age of 42. Known for her electrifying performance in the iconic 2002 music video Kaanta Laga and her vibrant stint on Bigg Boss 13, Shefali left an indelible mark on Indian pop culture. Her unexpected demise due to a cardiac arrest has sent shockwaves through Bollywood and beyond.

A Sudden and Tragic End

Shefali Jariwala reportedly suffered a massive cardiac arrest at her Mumbai residence on the evening of June 27. Sources close to the family have confirmed that she had been fasting the entire day in observance of a Satyanarayan puja, a traditional Hindu prayer ritual. Following the ceremony, she consumed food and later underwent her regular anti-ageing IV therapy, which included glutathione and vitamin C infusions.

Shortly after receiving the IV, Shefali began to experience tremors, palpitations, and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Her husband, television actor Parag Tyagi, found her unresponsive on the floor. Though she had a faint pulse when rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital, doctors declared her dead on arrival. A preliminary post-mortem indicated cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death, though toxicology and forensic analyses are still underway.

Cardiac Arrest in the Spotlight

The nature of Shefali’s death has reignited public discourse on cardiac health, especially among young and outwardly fit individuals. Medical professionals have emphasized that heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrests are increasingly affecting people under 50, often due to a combination of lifestyle factors, stress, over-the-counter supplements, and unsupervised wellness treatments.

Dr. Vikas Arora, a leading Mumbai-based cardiologist, said,

“Intravenous anti-ageing cocktails are trending, but not everyone understands the risks. Fasting, followed by a high-dose infusion without proper hydration or medical oversight, can be fatal.”

Glutathione and vitamin C, when administered improperly, can affect blood sugar levels and cardiovascular function. In Shefali’s case, the combination of fasting, fatigue, and IV therapy may have overwhelmed her system, leading to fatal consequences.

Rise to Fame: The “Kaanta Laga” Revolution

Born on December 15, 1982, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Shefali Jariwala was a bright student who pursued an engineering degree in computer science. But destiny had other plans. In 2002, at the age of 19, she was cast in a remix music video for Kaanta Laga, directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. Her electrifying screen presence, bold fashion, and infectious energy transformed the music video into a cultural phenomenon.

The track turned Shefali into an overnight star, earning her the moniker “The Kaanta Laga Girl”, which would stay with her throughout her career. The song became symbolic of India’s early 2000s pop culture and youth rebellion, catapulting remix videos into mainstream media.

A Career Beyond the Remix

While Shefali’s rise to fame was meteoric, she also explored other avenues in the entertainment industry:

• She made a brief appearance in David Dhawan’s film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), sharing screen space with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.

• She appeared in the Kannada film Hudugaru (2011), showcasing her versatility beyond Hindi-language media.

• In 2015, she starred in ALT Balaji’s digital comedy series Baby Come Naa alongside Shreyas Talpade.

• She was a participant in Nach Baliye 5 and Nach Baliye 7 with her husband Parag Tyagi, demonstrating her dancing prowess.

• Her most notable television appearance came in 2019 as a contestant on Bigg Boss 13, where her calm demeanor, confidence, and mature conduct won her admiration.

Shefali was also active as a model, influencer, and motivational speaker in later years, often participating in women’s health and wellness seminars across the country.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Behind the glamour, Shefali’s life was marked by resilience and self-discovery. Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 15, she dealt with seizures and neurological challenges during her teenage years. Her early fame came at a personal cost, as she struggled with public perception, industry pressure, and mental health hurdles.

She was briefly married to musician Harmeet Singh of Meet Bros but separated due to alleged domestic abuse. She later found love with actor Parag Tyagi, whom she married in 2014. The couple frequently shared glimpses of their life on social media, exuding warmth and companionship.

Shefali also became a mental health advocate, often speaking about the importance of therapy, self-care, and open conversations around emotional well-being. In recent interviews, she expressed her desire to adopt a child and become a mother, revealing her nurturing side and her hope for a fulfilling personal life.

Public Reaction and Tributes

The news of Shefali’s death sent a wave of shock across the entertainment world and her fans. Prominent celebrities, colleagues, and influencers paid heartfelt tributes:

• Dipika Kakar, fellow actress, wrote,
  “Kab kiske saath kya ho jaaye, kuch nahi pata. Life is so fragile. Still can’t believe you are gone, Shefali.”

• Singer Mika Singh, who worked with her in the early 2000s, tweeted,
  “Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Kaanta Laga girl. Your energy will live on.”

• Several Bigg Boss 13 contestants, including Aly Goni and Rashami Desai, expressed shock and grief.

Thousands of fans took to social media, sharing clips of her dance performances, BB13 moments, and powerful quotes from interviews. The phrase “Gone but never forgotten” trended on X (formerly Twitter) following her death.

Ongoing Investigation and Questions

While foul play has been ruled out, the Mumbai Police are conducting a detailed investigation, primarily to establish the exact timeline and composition of the IV therapy Shefali received. Reports suggest that an unlicensed technician may have administered the infusion at home, and authorities are questioning the source and composition of the injection.

A close friend, actress Pooja Ghai, revealed that Shefali had been feeling fatigued for days but didn’t express any major concern. She confirmed that the IV therapy provider is being questioned.

The hospital has submitted a report indicating that the patient was brought in “non-responsive, with no recordable pulse,” and resuscitation efforts failed. Final post-mortem and toxicology reports are expected within a week.

Legacy of a Fighter and Trailblazer

Shefali Jariwala’s legacy cannot be reduced to a single music video, no matter how iconic. She was a symbol of boldness, of resilience in the face of health challenges, of quiet dignity in turbulent times, and of evolution in a fast-paced industry.

She navigated fame at a young age, reinvented herself through television and digital media, and used her platform to advocate for health, love, and positivity. In her 42 years, she touched countless lives through the screen, through her personal story, and her radiant spirit.

Final Words

Shefali Jariwala’s untimely death is a tragic reminder that life’s fragility transcends fame and fitness. As fans continue to mourn her, there is a growing call to raise awareness around the safe use of wellness treatments, the importance of heart health, and the value of living fully yet cautiously.

Her dance may have stopped, but the rhythm she brought into millions of hearts will continue to beat.

Rest in peace, Shefali. You were—and will always remain—unforgettable.