That unforgettable beat still makes heads nod, doesn’t it? Long before today’s viral hits, a single song created an overnight sensation. We’re talking about the iconic remix, “Kaanta Laga,” and the face that launched a thousand dance moves: Shefali Jariwala. But her journey to becoming “the Kaanta Laga girl” was far from typical. It involved a chance encounter, a stern father, and a surprisingly small paycheck.
Shefali shared her surprising origin story in past interviews, including one with Times of India. Back then, she was just an engineering student, busy with her studies. Imagine her surprise when directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru spotted her right outside her college gates. They saw something special and offered her the lead role in their upcoming music video.
This wasn’t an easy decision for a young woman from an academic family. Her parents, especially her father, wanted her to focus solely on her education. He was strongly against her stepping into the world of entertainment. But Shefali had a vision. She really wanted to do it, driven by a simple desire.
What was that desire? Two things: some money and the thrill of seeing herself on television. She took the plunge, earning a modest 7,000 rupees for her efforts. She first had to convince her mother, and then together, they managed to persuade her father. Looking back, Shefali calls the success of “Kaanta Laga” a “fairy tale.” It truly changed her life.
– फोटो : इंस्टाग्राम-@shefalijariwala
After the massive success of “Kaanta Laga” and a few other music videos, Shefali continued to build her career. She competed in the dance reality show “Nach Baliye 5” alongside Parag Tyagi, who was then her boyfriend and is now her husband. They even returned as a wild card entry in “Nach Baliye 7.”
In 2018, Shefali made her digital acting debut. She appeared in the adult comedy series “Baby Come Na,” directed by Farhad Samji for ALT Balaji. Later, she gained even more public attention as a wild card entry in the popular reality show “Bigg Boss 13.” From an engineering student to a household name, Shefali’s journey shows how a single opportunity, even a small one, can open doors to a completely new path.