Shefali Jariwala’s sudden death shocks fans: Bigg Boss 13 loses another star

The sudden death of Shefali Jariwala, best known as the Kaanta Laga girl and a contestant on Bigg Boss 13, has left fans and the entertainment fraternity in deep shock. She passed away on June 27 at the age of 42 following a cardiac arrest in Mumbai.

Shefali was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri late Thursday night by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, and three others. She was declared dead on arrival. A hospital staff member confirmed that she had already passed away before reaching the hospital.

Her body was then transferred to Cooper Hospital in Andheri for a post-mortem, in accordance with Mumbai's medical protocol for sudden deaths. The mention of Cooper Hospital sparked strong reactions online—many recalling that the same facility handled the post-mortem of actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Sidharth Shukla.

A Resurfacing of grief

The parallels between Shefali’s untimely death and that of her Bigg Boss 13 co-contestant Sidharth Shukla have not gone unnoticed. Both died of cardiac arrest at a young age and were taken to the same hospital for post-mortem procedures. Fans of the show, still processing the loss of Shukla in 2021, are now mourning another familiar face from the same season.

Tehseen Poonawalla, who appeared with Shefali on Bigg Boss 13, wrote:

“Absolutely stunned… Incredible how Sidharth Shukla and now Shefali are no more. Life is so short.”

Actor and singer Mika Singh also expressed his grief, calling Shefali “graceful, smiling and full of spirit.”

From Remix icon to reality TV favourite

Shefali Jariwala first rose to fame with the iconic 2000s music video Kaanta Laga, which made her an instant pop culture phenomenon. She later appeared in the Bollywood film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and became a familiar face on television.

In 2019, she reentered the public eye as a contestant on Bigg Boss 13, where her composed presence stood out. Her equation with fellow contestant Sidharth Shukla drew attention, as did her mature approach to the game. She later participated with her husband in Nach Baliye 5 and 7.

Shefali was previously married to music composer Harmeet Singh, before divorcing in 2009. She later found love with actor Parag Tyagi, whom she married in 2015.

Tributes pour in

Many in the industry and her fanbase have taken to social media to express shock and sorrow.

Divyanka Tripathi said, “Still can’t process the news. Gone too soon.”

Aly Goni, Rajiv Adatia, and Monalisa also posted brief but heartfelt messages.

Videos of Parag Tyagi leaving Cooper Hospital alone have circulated widely, with many expressing sympathy for his loss.

Final rites and remembrance

As of now, no official family statement has been issued. Her final rites are expected to take place after the post-mortem is completed.

Shefali Jariwala may have risen to fame through a single music video, but she went on to build a career marked by quiet resilience, reinvention, and a genuine connection with her audience. Her sudden passing serves as a painful reminder of how fleeting life can be. For fans of Bigg Boss 13, it marks the second major loss from a season that now feels even more haunted by absence.