Vinay Sapru Remembers Shefali Jariwala, "Kaanta Laga" Star, and Reveals Plans to Retire the Iconic Song as a Tribute

Filmmaker Vinay Sapru, in an exclusive interview with ETimes, shared his memories of Shefali Jariwala, the star of the iconic "Kaanta Laga" music video, following her recent passing. Sapru, along with Radhika Rao, directed the video that catapulted Jariwala to fame.

A Shocking Loss

"We received the news of Shefali's passing late at night via a message from Divya Khosla," Sapru recounted. "It was unbelievable because just 20 days prior, we were in our office planning future projects. It felt like losing a close family member. We were utterly shocked."

The Discovery of the "DJ Doll"

Sapru reminisced about the moment they discovered Shefali at the age of 19. "It wasn't a formal arrangement; it was destiny. We were working on an album called 'DJ Doll' and had the song 'Kaanta Laga'. We needed a girl who embodied the essence of a doll."

He continued, "We were driving on Linking Road when a scooter pulled up beside us. A mother was driving, and a young girl was hugging her. Radhika and I looked at each other and knew we had found our girl. We stopped them and asked if she was interested. She told us she was an engineering student at Bhawan’s College and had no experience. But we felt she fit the role perfectly and invited her to audition."

From Student to Star

Shefali arrived the next day. "Despite having no camera experience, she auditioned with incredible energy," Sapru recalled. "Her innocence struck us. She was blowing kisses to the camera, acting like a typical 19-year-old in a nightclub. We knew we had found our doll."

Sapru explained how Shefali balanced college with rigorous rehearsals. "She attended college during the day and rehearsed late into the night. She dedicated herself to learning every dance step, movement, and expression. Day after day, she worked tirelessly to perfect her performance."

An Unforgettable Birthday

The journey wasn't easy. Rehearsals lasted over three months. Shefali shed any baby fat through gym sessions and constant training, striving for perfection.

Sapru recalled a memorable birthday rehearsal: "It was her birthday, and she had received a pair of white jeans from her sister. Despite this, she arrived for rehearsals wearing them. We urged her to take the day off, but she insisted on rehearsing, believing that how she spent her birthday would set the tone for the year. By the end of the day, her new jeans were stained with mud. Though her eyes welled up with tears, she said it was the best birthday she had ever had."

The Inspiration Behind the Look

Styling Shefali into the iconic Kaanta Laga girl was a process. "It was a journey of grooming and mentoring," Sapru explained. "We experimented with various outfits and hairstyles until we saw a Japanese doll with a distinctive hairstyle. We replicated it, and it was perfect. It fit Shefali perfectly."

The Making of History

The shoot lasted three intense days. "We had a tight schedule, often working past midnight, only to return to the set by 7 a.m.," Sapru said. "Shefali was always on time, fully present, as the entire song revolved around her. She gave it her all and exceeded our expectations. She became a national crush almost overnight."

He added, "The entire country danced to her energy. After three months of preparation, 'Kaanta Laga' became the most iconic song of its generation. Even today, Shefali is still referred to as the 'Kaanta Laga girl'."

Sapru believes this title is a fitting tribute. "She once said she wanted to be known forever as the 'Kaanta Laga girl'. Even now, after her tragic passing, her wish lives on."

A Final Visit

Sapru remembered their last meeting just 20 days before her death. "She came to our office with cakes and pastries from a Japanese bakery she loved. She was full of life, eager to plan the next 20 years with us. We discussed future songs, cinema, and events. Her live performances were successful, and we were ready to take them to the next level."

Retiring "Kaanta Laga"

Sapru concluded by affirming their decision to honor Shefali's legacy. "We will cherish the memory of her incredible life. She brought life to our vision and surpassed it. She became the doll we imagined, capturing hearts worldwide. She wanted to be remembered, and she will be."

He firmly stated, "We are retiring 'Kaanta Laga'. Many have asked us to create sequels, 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 belongs to Shefali, and it always will."

Shefali Jariwala passed away on June 27 at the age of 42, following a suspected cardiac arrest.