When Shefali Jariwala spoke about her battle with Epilepsy and Depression: I couldn't take up work after Kaanta Laga

When Shefali Jariwala spoke about her battle with Epilepsy and Depression: I couldn't take up work after Kaanta Laga

The entertainment industry and fans are mourning the sudden and tragic loss of actress and model Shefali Jariwala, who passed away on Friday at the age of 42. The beloved star, who shot to fame with the hit music video Kaanta Laga in the early 2000s, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest late Friday. Her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, rushed her to Bellevue Multispecialty Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Her body has since been sent to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem.

In a heartfelt interview with The Times of India, Shefali had shared that she was diagnosed with epilepsy at the young age of 15. “I had an epilepsy seizure at the age of 15. I remember at that time I was under tremendous pressure to do well in my studies. Stress and anxiety can lead to seizures. It’s interrelated; you could get a seizure due to depression and vice versa,” she had explained.

She further opened up about how the condition affected not just her health, but also her self-confidence and everyday life. "I have got seizures in classrooms, backstage, while on roads, and somewhere that lowered my self-esteem," she revealed, describing the emotional toll of living with an unpredictable neurological condition.

Also Read: Shefali Jariwala’s death: Cause remains unclear, Postmortem to reveal details, says Mumbai Police

Despite gaining immense popularity after Kaanta Laga, Shefali’s public presence remained limited. Addressing the speculation around her absence from the screen, she clarified, "After I did Kaanta Laga, people asked me why I didn't do more work. I can now say that it was because of the epilepsy seizures that I couldn't take up much work. I didn't know when I would get my next seizure... this went on for 15 years."

Her career choices were dictated not by lack of opportunity, but by an ongoing battle with her own body and mind. Yet, Shefali didn’t let her diagnosis define her. In the same interview, she spoke about the hard-earned progress she made over the years. "I am proud of myself because I managed my depression, panic attacks and anxiety naturally and with the help of a strong support system," she said.

Shefali also shared that she had been seizure-free for nine years, crediting her healing to lifestyle changes, inner strength, and the unwavering support of her loved ones.