MUMBAI, June 28: Actress and model Shefali Jariwala, popularly known as the “Kaanta Laga girl,” was found dead at her Andheri residence early Saturday morning, Mumbai Police said. The 42-year-old’s sudden death shocked fans and the entertainment industry, with authorities stating that the cause of her death remains undetermined pending a postmortem examination.
Initial reports claimed Shefali had died of a cardiac arrest and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Andheri by her husband Parag Tyagi and three others. However, according to the hospital’s reception staff, she had already passed away by the time she was brought in.
“Mumbai Police received information at 1 a.m. that Shefali Jariwala was found unresponsive at her home. Her body has been sent to Cooper Hospital for a postmortem, and the cause of death is not yet clear,” officials told news agency ANI.
A forensic team, along with police personnel, visited her residence on Saturday morning as part of routine investigation protocols in such cases.
In visuals that surfaced online, Shefali’s husband Parag Tyagi was seen leaving Bellevue Hospital, visibly distraught, partially covering his face with his hand.
The news of her passing was first made public by journalist Vickey Lalwani on social media. “Shefali Jariwala, the Kaanta Laga girl, is no more,” he wrote, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans across the country.
Shefali rose to instant fame at the age of 20 when she appeared in the 2002 music video Kaanta Laga, which became a pop-culture sensation. Over the years, she featured in several music albums and films, building a niche following.
She was also known for her appearances in television reality shows, including Nach Baliye 5 and Nach Baliye 7, alongside her husband Parag. In 2019, she became a household name again as a contestant on the 13th season of Bigg Boss.
Shefali had earlier been married to musician Harmeet Singh of the Meet Bros duo in 2004. The couple divorced in 2009, and she later married actor Parag Tyagi in 2015.
Further details regarding the autopsy report and police inquiry are awaited.
