Kaanta Laga” director Vinay Sapru recalls Shefali’s plans for next 20 years
Kaanta Laga” director Vinay Sapru recalls Shefali’s plans for next 20 years
No doubt, it’s extremely difficult to get over soon the untimely sad passing away of the Kaanta Laga actress Shefali Jariwala. Its director Vinay Sapru director recalled that Shefali was planning for next 20 years. She’s gone so soon. 42 not an age to die. Vinay reflectes on her dedication, warmth, and the lasting impact she made on Indian pop culture.
Vinay Sapru’s discoverey of Shefali Jariwala was in a chance encounter on the road
Shefali’s iconic look in’ Kaanta Laga’ was inspired by a Japanese doll
Shefali balanced engineering studies with her passion for performing
Music video director and filmmaker Vinay Sapru is still trying to come to terms with the sudden death of Shefali Jariwala, the face of the iconic music video ‘Kaanta Laga’, which he directed over two decades ago. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Vinay opened up about discovering Shefali, her rise to instant fame, and the irreplaceable void her death has left behind.
Her abrupt depart from the mortal world to the immortal world has shocked the industry and those who knew her closely, including Vinay, who not only launched her career but remained one of her closest mentors and friends.
Vinay recalled the moment he heard the news. “Around midnight, he got a message and couldn’t believe it. For him and Radhika(Rao) it was like a nightmare, it wasn’t just a professional bond, it was a 20-year-long journey. In their Indian tradition, she was like a ‘shishya’. It’s heartbreaking.”
Recalling how he discovered Shefali, Vinay said, “Radhika and he were driving on Linking Road, Bandra, in Mumbai, and parallel to came a scooter. The mother was riding it, and the young girl was hugging her from behind. They just drove past us. Radhika and he looked at each other and said, ‘What a pretty girl.’ they stopped them, gave her a visiting card, and invited her to audition. It felt like it was meant to be.”
That spontaneous encounter would go on to define early 2000s pop culture, with Shefali’s striking screen presence in ‘Kaanta Laga’ making her a national sensation overnight.
Vinay shared that Shefali hailed from a very good family, was doing engineering, and had no background in acting or dance. She worked hard every single day after college to rehearse with them. He remembered once, amidst rehearsals, she wore brand-new white jeans her sister gifted her for her birthday. She didn’t want to miss practice and ended up staining them. She had tears in her eyes but didn’t complain. That was her dedication.”
Vinay also credited her for shaping the visual identity of the song. Vinay and Radhika couldn’t crack her hairstyle, until they styled her after a Japanese doll that belonged to their daughter. It became part of her unforgettable look.
Regardless the fame, Vinay said Shefali remained grounded. “She never expressed disappointment about not getting more work. She was always cheerful, well-turned-out, and so full of positivity. Someone once asked her what she wanted to be remembered as, and she said, ‘a good human being.’ That’s exactly what she was.”
He shared that Shefali was actively planning her next phase of life. “She was in our office just 20 days ago. She brought cookies from her favourite Japanese bakery for the whole team. She told him that ‘The first 20 years were great, now let’s plan the next 20.’ She had so much energy and so many ideas. She was ready to take on the world. But, God had other plans for her.
News Edit KV Raman
