New Delhi: Shefali Jariwala, who rose to national fame with her bold appearance in the 2002 remix hit Kaanta Laga, tragically passed away at the age of 42. Her death was reportedly caused by a cardiac arrest on Friday night (June 27) and has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and her fanbase.

Despite being rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, she was declared dead upon arrival. As condolences continue to pour in, attention has also been drawn to Shefali’s past, particularly her candid revelations about her first marriage.

Shefali Jariwala’s first husband

Before tying the knot with Parag Tyagi in 2014, Shefali was married to Harmeet Singh of Meet Brothers fame. That marriage, which began in 2004, ended in 2009 amidst allegations of domestic violence. Legal proceedings reportedly saw Shefali accuse Harmeet of mental abuse.

In a 2020 interview with ETimes, Shefali spoke openly about the emotional turmoil she endured. “It is very important to understand that you are not being appreciated. Not every kind of violence is physical. There is a lot of mental violence that also happens, and you are very unhappy in your life,” she had stated. Her decision to walk away, she explained, had been made possible by her financial independence. “I think, one of the reasons why I could make the decision for myself, was because I was independent. I was making my own money.”

She also reflected on the societal stigma associated with divorce, particularly for women in India. “The biggest fear in our country is of society. Divorce is considered to be taboo but the way I have been raised, is to not really care about society but just do what we feel is right,” she had said. Her strength, she noted, came from having the right support system and self-belief.

Shefali Jariwala husband

After enduring a difficult first marriage, Shefali found stability with Parag. Their relationship had begun at a dinner party and flourished over the years before culminating in marriage in 2014. Their bond was often praised for its emotional strength and mutual respect.