New Delhi: Tributes have continued to pour in following the sudden demise of actor-model Shefali Jariwala, who passed away at 42, reportedly due to a cardiac arrest. Though she was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her death has left fans and the entertainment industry in mourning, prompting many to look back at her remarkable yet unconventional journey through the limelight.
Shefali’s claim to fame was cemented in 2002 when she became the face of Kaanta Laga, a remix music video crooned by DJ Doll.
Shefali Jariwala’s paycheck for Kaanta Laga song
Interestingly, it was revealed in a resurfaced interview with The Times of India that Shefali was paid just Rs 7,000 for her role in the video. According to her, “My father was completely against it. So first, I took my mom into confidence, and then we both convinced my father. And that song turned out to be such a hit that it was like a fairy tale for me. It changed my life completely.”
She had been discovered by filmmaker duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru while casually standing outside her college. Despite her conservative family background, she pursued the opportunity with determination, which ultimately paid off in ways that far outweighed the modest sum she initially earned.
More about Shefali Jariwala
Following the massive success of Kaanta Laga, Shefali transitioned to Bollywood with a cameo in the 2004 romantic comedy Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, appearing alongside Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, and Priyanka Chopra.
She also participated in Nach Baliye 5 and returned in Nach Baliye 7 as a wild card entrant with her now-husband Parag Tyagi, charming audiences with their chemistry. In 2018, she made her OTT debut with ALT Balaji’s adult comedy Baby Come Naa, directed by Farhad Samji.