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Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sona Mohapatra slams ‘Kaanta Laga' music video directors for ‘misplaced retirement' of the song after Shefali Jariwala's death: ‘Created a smutty video'
In 1972, when Prakash Mehra's Samadhi released, it became popular for its song 'Kaanta Laga'. With RD Burman as its composer, the song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Decades later, in 2002, T-Series remixed the song for their album DJ Doll and created a music video featuring late actor Shefali Jariwala. It instantly became a hit and brought her widespread recognition, and soon, she became known as the 'Kaanta Laga girl. On 27 June, when she breathed her last, it shocked her fans and family members and a few days later, the directors of the music video, Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao, announced that they have officially retired the song forever. This act by the directors has irked singer Sona Mohapatra. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Sona wrote, '3 legends created KAANTA LAGA. Composer, lyricist and singer; RD Burman, Majroon Sultanpuri, Lata Mangeshkar and this utterly misplaced 'retirement' by people calling themselves 'makers' to get some PR out of a death nothing less. (Viral B is a paid site largely) These two only created a smutty video with a remix with a 19 year old. (Of course no permission from legends required for their xx interpretation). RIP and all for the 42 year old lady but legacy? and this…' ALSO READ | With Metro… In Dino, Anurag Basu defies box office logic as he makes yet another mad, messy musical Sona Mohapatra's post didn't go down well with many. A Reddit user shared a screenshot of her post which prompted response from many on the social media platform. A user wrote, 'This is so unnecessary and insensitive, especially if Shefali's loved ones read it. 'RIP and all to the 42 year old lady', she can't even say her name?! This woman is always salty about something, especially things that don't concern her. She needs to get a life.' Another comment read, 'This is actually so insensitive and hurtful for her close one. Also, there is no need to be rude to a person who is no more here to defend herself.' Other comments read, 'Kharoos bua vibes', and 'This is beyond disrespectful. She needs to get a reality check.' On Saturday, Sona reacted to all the hate and wrote on her Instagram Stories, 'To all those trolling me about being insensitive, are we okay with RD Burman, Lata Mangeshkar, Majrooh Sultanpuri… legends of our musical heritage fading and getting disconnected from their own creations? We are ok with paid PR to milk someone's death? Calling yourself the 'makers' of Kaanta Laga is okay when you just the makers of a remix video?' Previously, directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru announced they will never make a sequel or recreate the song, stating that Shefali will always be the only 'Kaanta Laga girl.' 'Yesterday Was The Prayer Meeting. Saying The Final Goodbyes… With Our First Photo Session Together.. 'Kaanta Laga' – CD Inlay Card. You Always Said You Wanted To Be The One And Only 'Kaanta Laga' Girl. So We Never Made A Sequel — And We Never Will. We're Retiring 'Kaanta Laga' Forever. It Was Always Yours. It Will Always Be Yours… Shefali…RIP…💔' they shared on Instagram. A post shared by Directors Rao & Sapru (@sapruandrao) Previously, talking to NDTV, Vinay Sapru shared, 'Radhika and I were driving on Linking Road in Bandra, Mumbai, and as you said we were looking out for the girl who was like a doll. Here, passes a scooter next to her (Radhika's) car. There you have an elderly lady and a girl hugging her. Her complexion was almost like Snow White and all innocence.' He added, 'Radhika and I just looked at her and said, 'How can somebody we have been looking around for so long just parallel to us while we are driving?' We then stopped at the next signal and hailed her. We stopped that mother and daughter duo and we asked her (what she did). Then she said she was studying engineering at Bhavan's College in Andheri. We said, 'Okay, so if you are interested then come for auditions to the office'. We left our number and left.'
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vinay Sapru remembers Shefali Jariwala, recalls how he and Radhika Rao discovered her: ‘We're retiring Kaanta Laga, this title belongs to Shefali'
Filmmaker Vinay Sapru , who along with Radhika Rao directed the iconic Kaanta Laga music video that turned Shefali Jariwala into an overnight sensation, has spoken exclusively to ETimes about the late star's sudden passing and the unforgettable journey they shared. "We came to know about Shefali's passing away somewhere around the middle of the night, you know, and it was just a message from Divya Khosla, who just messaged and said she's passed away. And I must say, it was almost an unbelievable situation because 20 days back, we were all sitting in our office and making plans for future and what we are going to be doing. And here this news comes. I must say it was absolutely shocking and unbelievable. It was like a family member, a closest associate family member passing away, you know. And we just couldn't believe it. It was the most shocking news we could have heard," Vinay told us. The day they found their 'DJ Doll' Vinay took us back to the moment Shefali entered their lives. 'We discovered her when she was just 19. It was not a work arrangement in a structured manner—it was destiny. We were planning to do this album called DJ Doll and had this song Kaanta Laga. We were looking out for a girl who looks like a doll whose emotional nature, behavior, body line, everything has to be doll-like. We were driving on Linking Road and a scooter came parallel to us with a mother driving and a young girl hugging her. Radhika and I just looked at her and said, 'I think we've just found our girl.' We stopped them at a signal and asked if she'd be interested. She said she was an engineering student at Bhawan's College in Andheri and had no experience. But we just told her that much that I think we think that you are the person who just fits the bill. And we just gave her a number and a card and we left and we said, if you're interested, you can come over for the auditions to our office tomorrow." From college student to star performer Shefali turned up the very next day. 'With no camera experience, we said, okay, let's start the audition. And we were just watching her doing the audition and she was just like a bundle of energy, and all hands and legs all over the place. But the only thing which stuck to us was the innocence of her. She was blowing these kisses to the camera and just doing those moments which a 19-year-old does in a nightclub. It just struck us that we have found our doll. " Vinay shared how Shefali would attend college in the day and rehearse late into the night. 'We told her you don't have any camera experience and we would like you to have you to do rehearsals and all. She like jumping with joy and she said, yes. And she said, don't worry about the rehearsals, you'll not have a complaint. Every day after finishing the college of hers, she used to come religiously and do the rehearsals till late night, go to college next day, come again. From a girl who has never faced the camera to learning each and every professional dance steps, movement, expressions, facial expressions, everything in detail, she was working on and perfecting day after day." A birthday she never took off And it was not an easy journey. The rehearsals went on for over three months, every single day without fail. Whatever little baby fat she had, she worked off with gym sessions and rigorous training, constantly pushing herself to achieve the level of perfection we were aiming for. One anecdote that stayed with Vinay was Shefali's birthday rehearsal. 'It was her birthday, and she had just received a pair of white jeans from her sister. Yet, she showed up for rehearsals wearing them. We asked her why she hadn't taken the day off—we even said, 'It's your birthday, go enjoy it!' But she smiled and said, 'No, I want to rehearse and work today because how I spend my birthday sets the tone for the rest of my year. ' So we said to her, 'But you're wearing those white jeans—your birthday gift! They'll get spoiled.' She just smiled and said, 'No, no, it's fine.' And then she went ahead and joined the rehearsals. I still remember—by the end of it, those jeans had mud stains. She was just 19, celebrating her birthday, and her brand-new gift was all patched with mud. Her eyes welled up with tears when she saw them. But she looked at us and said, 'I don't mind. This is the best birthday I've ever had—rehearsing, cutting cake with all of you in the hall... it was perfect.' The Japanese doll inspiration Styling Shefali into the iconic Kaanta Laga girl took time. 'It was a journey of grooming and mentoring—a process of shaping a girl who, for us, was like a blank canvas. As directors, the picture we were painting slowly began to take shape, and the transformation was so moving that it felt like watching a young girl grow up within a close-knit family. When it came to her styling, we experimented with all kinds of outfits and hairstyles, but nothing seemed to click. And then we spotted this Japanese doll—it had a very specific hairstyle: a clean slit with sharp braids tied around a two-beat pitch. We asked the hairstylist to try replicating it, and the moment it was done, it just clicked. It was perfect. I remember thinking, why did we look so far and wide when the answer was right in front of us? All we had to do was recreate what already existed—and it fit Shefali like it was made for her. " Three tough days of shooting, and history was made "We were all set to go, and even on set, the schedule was extremely tight—we had just three days to complete the shoot. We would pack up past midnight, sometimes around 2 a.m., only to be back on set by 7 a.m. the next morning. But Shefali was always there, on time, fully present, because the entire song revolved around her. Every frame, every shot was centered on her. She gave it her all—day after day—through a gruelling schedule of dance, performance, and precision, meeting every expectation we had as directors. It truly was a journey of mentoring a young girl we randomly spotted on the road and watching her transform into an icon. She went on to become a national crush almost overnight. The entire country was dancing to this one girl's energy—a girl who was just studying engineering in college when we discovered her. After three months of intense preparation, the rest became history. Kaanta Laga turned into the most iconic song of its generation. Even today, more than 20 years later, pick up any newspaper or article, and it's still about the Kaanta Laga girl—Shefali. She's constantly referred to by that title, and rightly so. And I truly believe it's a fitting tribute. I remember her once saying in an interview, 'I want to be known forever as the Kaanta Laga girl.' And now, even in the face of such a tragic and untimely passing, her wish lives on. As heartbreaking as it is, every newspaper, every channel, every post says it—Kaanta Laga girl is no more. What can one say? Maybe it's true—God takes away His favorite children early. Shefali was one of our favorites too. It truly felt like she was sent into our lives for a reason. We were just driving, and there she was—this girl on a scooter riding parallel to us. Who would've thought she'd go on to make history in the Indian music industry? She was full of life. Full of dreams. Full of the desire to make something of herself. And she did. She became unforgettable." A visit just 20 days before her death Vinay also recalled their last meeting. 'We had just met 20 days ago, so this news has come as a complete shock. She had come to our office, bringing cakes and pastries from one of those Japanese bakeries she loved. She was so full of life—saying, 'I've turned 40 now. I've had an incredible 20 years, all thanks to where we began back then. And now I've come to plan the next 20 with you. She stayed for nearly five hours—we had dinner together and spoke at length. We were making plans: songs we wanted to create, the kind of cinema we wanted to explore, the events we were going to curate. Her live performances had been such a massive success, and we were all set to take that to the next level. Everything was falling into place, and we were just about to begin this exciting new chapter. And now... all we can say is—it must be God's plan. We are all mortals. Death is inevitable. But to go so young... the only explanation is that you were one of God's favourites, and He wanted you back with Him sooner than the rest of us." Shefali Jariwala's Sudden Death at 42 | Emotional Funeral at Oshiwara Leaves Bollywood in Tears 'We're retiring Kaanta Laga' Vinay ended with a firm decision to preserve Shefali's legacy. 'The only thing we can hold onto now is the memory of the incredible life she lived—those 20 magnificent years that began with Kaanta Laga. From the moment we started that journey together, she breathed life into every thought, every idea, every visual we had as directors. She didn't just meet our vision—she surpassed it. They say an actor can rise above the script, and that's exactly what Shefali did. She became the doll we had imagined two decades ago—and that doll went on to capture the hearts of not just India, but Indians across the world. And she will continue to live on in their memories, because that's what she always wanted—to be remembered. All we can do now is pray for her peace, wherever she may be. We miss you, Shefali. Take care. And as for Kaanta Laga—we won't make another. Over the years, so many people have asked us to do Kaanta Laga 2 or 3, but we never could. And now, we never will. Just like a cricket team retires a jersey number, we, Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, are retiring Kaanta Laga. It was the first and the last—because it belongs to Shefali. It always did. She wanted to be remembered as the Kaanta Laga girl, and she always will be. God bless you, Shefali. Be happy—wherever you are." On June 27, Shefali Jariwala died suddenly after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest at the age of 42. She was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Preliminary investigations suggest that her death may have been medically triggered rather than involving any foul play.
India Today
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
My heart sank: Kaanta Laga music director Harry Anand on Shefali Jariwala's death
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 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.''advertisement 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 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 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 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 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.'advertisementWith 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.'Read more about the case live 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 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.- Ends
NDTV
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
How Shefali Jariwala's Kaanta Laga Became A Major Pop-Culture Moment In The 2000s
New Delhi: In a tragic turn of events, Shefali Jariwala who shot to fame with her remix Kaanta Laga, has died at the age of 42. The actress-model was rushed to Bellevue Multispecialty Hospital but was unfortunately pronounced dead upon arrival. Her husband Parag Tyagi was seen in tears outside the hospital. While the initial reports have suggested that the actress-model died of cardiac arrest, official post-mortem reports are still awaited. Fans and industry colleagues are in shock as Shefali Jariwala was a big part of the defining remixes era in the 2000s. As fate would have it, she was spotted outside her engineering college by director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. Little did she know that she was on the brink of doing her biggest project that propelled her to become an overnight sensation. In an older interview with the Times of India, Shefali Jariwala said how she teamed up with her mother to get her father's approval to be a part of Kaanta Laga. She had said, "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 fairytale for me. It changed my life completely." Sharing her excitement for Kaanta Laga, she added, "I was in college then and I come from a family of academicians, so my parents told me to focus on my studies. But I wanted to do it because I was getting paid for it. I earned Rs 7,000 from that song, and I wanted to see myself on TV." Rewind Back To The Craze Of Kaanta Laga Kaanta Laga was originally a part of the film titled Samadhi which was led by Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Asha Parekh. The song was then picked up for a remix version by T-Series for their album DJ Doll with an accompanying music video featuring Shefali Jariwala. It was like Shefali Jariwala had a natural pop-star vibe on camera. Something that also drew in the audience and the song was an instant click with them. Sung by Pallavi Kelkar and coupled with Shefali Jariwala's effortless dance moves, the song became a chartbuster in no time. Kaanta Laga is particularly remembered for it came at a time when the trend of remixes was just gaining momentum in Bollywood. This song had an integral role to play in revolutionizing that moment and emerged to be a pop-culture phenomenon that people remember to date. As they say, trends are a perpetual cyclic process, as it stands true with the remixes in Bollywood. While newer remixes and remakes have replaced Kaanta Laga in the Top 10 charts, Shefali Jariwala's career-defining moment is still considered a strong referral point in this context. It solidified her position in pop culture and also invoked a sense of deep nostalgia for the 2000s. While the bold frames were met with certain objectionable remarks, they continued to survive the test of time and remain a fan-favourite. Shefali Jariwala went on to do several other projects in the entertainment industry. She was a part of Big Boss 13 and Nach Baliye 5.
NDTV
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Salman Khan Didn't Like Kaanta Laga Remix: " Yeh Sexy Kaam Acha Nahi Hota"
New Delhi: Back in the 90s, the video of the Kaanta Laga remix - featuring Shefali Jariwala - caused an uproar in the world of pop culture. Shefali Jariwala, as a bold party girl, watching adult content didn't sit well with the Censor Board and eventually the directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru received a warning from the board. In a recent interview, the director duo recalled the backlash and revealed Salman Khan didn't approve of the song as well. Vinay recalled, "A big actor called us to his house, and he told us, 'Main tumhe samjha raha hoon Radhika Vinay, yeh jo sexy kaam hai kam kiya karo, acha nahi hota (I'm trying to make you understand, don't do such sexy songs, it doesn't look good)'. He just said, 'You've got nice, pure minds'." Asked to reveal the name of the big star, they named Salman Khan. Ironically, the director duo came up with the idea of making such video when they saw Salman Khan listening to a Jhankaar Beats remix of a Kishore Kumar song while working out. They continued, "One day, we went to Salman Khan's house. He was exercising while listening to a Jhankaar Beats remix of a Kishor Kumar song. An idea sparked, and that's what began the remix trend in India. We made Kaliyon Ka Chaman, Kaanta Laga, Chadti Jawani... The sound organically reminds you of a nightclub, to a sensual visualisation." The music of Kaanta Laga was composed by R. D. Burman. It was from the film titled Samadhi featuring Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Asha Parekh. The song was remixed by T-Series album DJ Doll with an accompanying music video featuring Shefali Jariwala. Shefali became an overnight sensation with the video.
