The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Shefali Jariwala, the actress and model best known for her "Kaanta Laga" song and her appearance on Bigg Boss 13. She passed away on Friday at the age of 42. Initial reports suggested a cardiac arrest as the cause of death, but Mumbai Police have stated that the cause is yet to be confirmed and a postmortem examination has been conducted.
Shefali was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital by her husband, Parag Tyagi, and three others, where she was declared dead on arrival. According to a hospital source, she was brought in around 11:15 pm on Friday. However, police reported that she was found at her Andheri residence, and they received information about her death at 1 am on Saturday. Her body has been sent to Cooper Hospital for a postmortem to determine the exact cause of death.
Parag Tyagi was seen outside Cooper Hospital on Saturday, visibly heartbroken and requesting privacy from the paparazzi. Videos circulating online show him being mobbed as he exited his car, pleading with folded hands, "Please aisa mat karo na tum log". Other family members and social media personality Hindustani Bhau, who is Shefali's rakhi brother, were also present at the hospital.
The news of Shefali's sudden demise has shocked her friends and colleagues in the industry. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and offer condolences to her family. Actor Ashish Vidyarthi, who had recently spent time with Shefali in Australia, expressed his shock and remembered her "warmth and cheerful spirit". Other celebrities like Mika Singh, Aly Goni, Karishma Tanna, Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Rithvik Dhanjani, and Madhurima Tuli have also mourned her loss.
Shefali Jariwala began her career at the age of 20 and rose to fame with the "Kaanta Laga" music video in 2002. She went on to appear in several music albums and films, including "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi". She also participated in reality shows like "Nach Baliye" and "Bigg Boss 13". She was married to musician Harmeet Singh from Meet Brothers in 2004, but they divorced in 2009. She later married actor Parag Tyagi in 2015.
Sources have claimed that Shefali was undergoing anti-aging treatments for the past five to six years. These treatments reportedly included Vitamin C and Glutathione, aimed at improving skin texture and promoting a younger appearance. However, there has been no official confirmation if this contributed to her death. A close friend has also refuted rumors that epilepsy was the cause of death, stating that Shefali had no such issues and was fine just the day before, attributing the death to cardiac arrest.
Shefali Jariwala's cremation took place at the Oshiwara crematorium on Saturday evening. Her husband, Parag Tyagi, and other relatives were seen carrying her mortal remains to perform the last rites. The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing, with police having recorded statements from Parag and three other individuals. The postmortem report is still awaited.