Shefali Jariwala dies at 42: A life marked by stardom, silent struggles and sudden farewell | Read her last post
PTC Web Desk: Actor Shefali Jariwala, best known as the iconic "Kaanta Laga" girl, passed away on Friday night at the age of 42. Known for her brief but memorable stint in Bollywood and her appearance on Bigg Boss 13, she died at her residence. However, the exact cause of her death is yet to be officially confirmed by the family.
Shefali’s untimely demise has left her fans, friends, and the entertainment industry in deep shock. The actor’s health had remained a private matter for years, but in a past interview with ETimes, she had spoken openly about battling epilepsy since adolescence—a struggle that deeply affected her mental and emotional well-being.
“I had an epilepsy seizure at the age of 15,” Shefali had revealed. “At that time, I was under immense academic pressure. Stress and anxiety can trigger seizures; it's all interrelated. Depression can lead to a seizure and vice versa.” She recounted incidents of experiencing seizures in classrooms, backstage at events, and even on the streets—episodes that led to a sharp decline in her self-confidence during her growing years.
Just a week before her death, Shefali had posted a video on social media expressing a desire to embrace life more positively. The video showed her preparing for a shoot and included the caption: “It’s time for us to start living life.” The post, in hindsight, is now being seen by fans as a poignant message of hope and resilience.
Shefali’s last post on X (formerly Twitter) was a heartfelt tribute to her ex-boyfriend and fellow Bigg Boss 13 contestant, Sidharth Shukla, who had also passed away unexpectedly in 2021 at the age of 40 due to a heart attack. The two had dated over 15 years ago and had rekindled their friendship during their time in the Bigg Boss house.
Following the news of her death, several celebrities and former co-contestants took to social media to express their grief. Singer Mika Singh wrote on Instagram, “I'm deeply shocked, saddened, and feeling a heavy heart. Our beloved dear friend @shefalijariwala has left us.” Actor Aly Goni and Bigg Boss alum Paras Chhabra also shared their condolences online.
Tehseen Poonawalla, a political analyst and fellow Bigg Boss 13 contestant, wrote on X: “Absolutely stunned to hear my friend Shefali Jariwala is no more. I last met her at a party. Life is so short. She was in Bigg Boss 13 with me. Incredible how Siddharth Shukla and now she, from my season, are no more. Sending love and healing to her loved ones. Om Shanti.”
Shefali Jariwala rose to fame in the early 2000s with her breakout performance in the music video Kaanta Laga, which became a cultural phenomenon. She later appeared in films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and took part in various reality shows, winning hearts with her candid personality.
- With inputs from agencies
