Music director Harry Anand, who launched Shefali Jariwala in the iconic music video ‘Kaanta Laga’, is in deep shock after hearing about the actor’s sudden death.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Anand recalled the moment he first got the heartbreaking news and reflected on their early memories together and the era that made the actor a household names.
“I was in the middle of a music recording when one of my assistants called and said, ‘Harry, I’m going to give you some very shocking news,’” Anand shared. “I told him to break it gently, as just last month I lost my sister, and before that, my mother — both while I was in London, attending funerals over the phone. My heart started sinking. And then he said, ‘Shefali Jariwala is no more.’”
Still coming to terms with the news, Anand admitted he initially didn’t believe it. “Sometimes news like this turns out to be a hoax or a publicity stunt. I told myself I’d wait till morning to confirm it, but then it began to spread everywhere. I’m still in complete shock,” he said.
Anand was instrumental in shaping Shefali’s early career, having worked with her on three music videos – ‘Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar’, ‘Kaanta Laga’, and a third song post her marriage. Recalling the shoot of ‘Kaanta Laga’, he said, “She practised for nearly 15-20 days. From costumes to choreography, everything was planned in detail. I suggested the name ‘DJ Doll’ for the album, and that’s how we started the series.”
‘Kaanta Laga’ turned Shefali into an overnight star. “She was completely surprised by the thundering success of the song. She’d often tell me, ‘Harry, I can’t believe this is happening.’ That song was a career breakthrough – for her and for me too. We even won MTV awards for it,” he said.
Anand also shared that Shefali met her then-husband Harmeet at one of his parties. “I remember the day they met. There was some family controversy, but I wouldn’t want to go into that. They got married, and later separated. I continued working with her even after her marriage,” he added.
While he had not met Shefali recently due to his long work trip to the UK, Anand shared that he returned to India just a few days ago and learned about her death shortly after. “It’s heartbreaking. I was going through her Instagram page last night. She posted just four days ago. It’s hard to believe someone so full of life is no more,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Remembering Shefali as a kind, grounded person, Anand said, “She was constantly doing shows. Her father used to tell me, ‘Harry, kaam bahut aa raha hai.’ I didn’t hang out with her much because I was busy with back-to-back shoots, but we used to talk often and did a lot of shows together.”
He also reflected on the controversies that surrounded ‘Kaanta Laga’ at the time. “There were debates everywhere – from TV panels to BBC discussions. It was a cultural moment. Shefali will always be remembered as the face of that era.”
With a heavy heart, Anand concluded, “She was a nice girl. This news is truly devastating. My prayers are with her family and fans. May her soul rest in peace.”
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Actor Shefali Jariwala died at the age of 42 on Friday night due to a cardiac arrest, as per reports. Her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, immediately took her to the hospital, where doctors confirmed her death.
Shefali rose to fame with the 2002 music video ‘Kaanta Laga’ from the remix album ‘DJ Doll – Kaanta Laga Remix’. Over the years, she became known for her appearances in Hindi music videos, reality shows, and Bollywood cameos, including her stint on ‘Bigg Boss 13’ in 2019.
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