"Kaanta laga" fame Shefali Jariwala passes away at 42; Cardiac arrest suspected

Bollywood is in shock following the untimely demise of actress and model Shefali Jariwala, famously known as the "Kaanta Laga girl," who passed away on Friday, June 27, at the age of 42. While initial reports suggest cardiac arrest as the cause, Mumbai Police have stated that the exact reason for her sudden death is "yet not clear" and her body has been sent for postmortem examination to Cooper Hospital. Jariwala reportedly experienced chest pain at her Mumbai home and was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, and three others, but was declared dead upon arrival.

The news was confirmed by a hospital source, who stated, "She was brought to the hospital around 11:15 pm. The on-duty doctor declared her dead on arrival." Mumbai Police received information around 1 AM on Saturday and have since initiated a preliminary investigation, including questioning household staff, and a mobile forensic unit has visited her residence. Jariwala, who rose to fame with her iconic music video in 2002, had a notable career including appearances in films like Mujhse Shaadi Karoge and reality shows such as Bigg Boss 13 and Nach Baliye. Despite her public life, she had been open about her struggles with health issues like epilepsy and depression.

Jariwala's sudden death has reignited concerns about the rising incidence of heart-related ailments among young celebrities in India. This comes less than four years after her fellow Bigg Boss 13 contestant and winner, Sidharth Shukla, also passed away at 40 due to cardiac arrest in September 2021. Other prominent Indian celebrities who have succumbed to heart-related issues at a relatively young age in recent years include Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar (46), singer KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath, 53), comedian Raju Srivastava (58), and actor Siddhaanth Vir Suryavanshi (46). Experts note that factors like high-stress lifestyles, irregular routines, and intense work pressures within the entertainment industry can contribute to cardiovascular risks, even in seemingly fit individuals.

Tributes have poured in from friends, celebrity peers like singer Mika Singh and actor Kiku Sharda, and fans. Political analyst and former Bigg Boss contestant Tehseen Poonawala expressed his shock on X, noting the unfortunate passing of Jariwala and Sidharth Shukla from his season. Fans online have also questioned the alarming trend of young celebrities dying from cardiac issues despite their access to resources and healthy lifestyles. The All-India Cine Workers Association also expressed profound sorrow at her untimely demise