Singer Sona Mohapatra has responded to the criticism over her recent remarks on Kaanta Laga music video directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, denying allegations of insensitivity after actor Shefali Jariwala’s death.

Speaking to us, Sona (49) said, “What do the people of India feel about performative grief? It’s insidious self-promotion riding on a pretty performer’s untimely demise — it should upset everyone. These songs and legends are the musical heritage we stand on.”

It all started on Friday, when she shared an Instagram Story about the directors “retiring the song” after Shefali’s passing, writing: “3 legends created Kaanta Laga. Composer, lyricist, and singer: R D Burman, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Lata Mangeshkar... These two only created a smutty video with a 19-year-old. RIP and all for the 42-year-old lady but legacy???”

Several social media users accused Sona of being “insensitive” by refusing to name Shefali. Some also pointed out that Sona had voiced the 2004 remix Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar, which had an equally sensuous video.

However, on Saturday, the singer shared a follow-up post: “Are we okay with our legends fading and getting disconnected from their own creations? Calling yourself the ‘makers’ of Kaanta Laga is okay when you are just the makers of a remix video?”

Less than a month ago, actor Shefali Jariwala met her first-ever collaborators, director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, to discuss the possibility of creating something as memorable as their first collaboration — the 2002 Kaanta Laga music video, a remixed version by musician Harry Anand. A night after the actor’s untimely demise, we spoke with them as they walked down the memory lane to remember the ‘Kaanta Laga girl’.

“When we met her just 20 days ago, she told us how proud she was that Kaanta Laga remained iconic even after two decades. She wanted to do something new that could stay memorable for another 20 years,” shared a sombre Sapru. As captivating and vibrant as the video was, it also stirred a huge controversy, with many calling it “too bold”. But Jariwala became an overnight star. “Shefali was fresh, radiant, and gave that song its life,” Rao added.

Recalling how they cast the 19-year-old engineering student for the song, Rao said, “Vinay and I were driving somewhere in Mumbai when we spotted a girl sitting behind her mother on a scooter. As she passed by our car, we both looked at each other and said, ‘She’s perfect! She looks like a doll.’ That’s how we found Shefali. Her look in Kaanta Laga was actually inspired by a Japanese doll. She wasn’t a trained dancer or actor, but she worked incredibly hard to get the steps and look right. She was like family to us — bubbly, chirpy, and full of positive energy. That’s how we’ll always remember her,” Rao smiled.

Filmmaker-writer Farhad Samji, who got acquainted with the late actor much later, shared Rao’s sentiments. Samji directed her in her maiden series, Baby Come Naa (2018). His experience working with Jariwala was so good that he ensured she was part of his next series, Boo: Sabki Fategi (2019), as well.

“She was a very good friend. She was the kind of person who approached life with a positive spirit,” he says, adding that her exuberance was hard to miss. “I read somewhere that she had said, ‘I want to be remembered as the Kaanta Laga girl.’ That was her, living life on the front foot and with an abundance of positivity.”

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Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, who directed Shefali Jariwala’s Kaanta Laga music video, said, “She was like our baby, like our own child. We mentored her because we believed in her, and she trusted us. This morning, when we woke up to the news that the Kaanta Laga girl is no more, all the memories came flooding back – memories of a life and a journey we started together 22 years ago. She had come to our office just two weeks ago. She said, ‘Let’s make a new plan for life. I’m 40 now, and I want to start something fresh.’ We are shattered, it feels like we’ve lost a member of our own family.”

Shefali Jariwala, best known as the Kaanta Laga girl, passed away at the age of 42 on June 27 in Mumbai. She reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to a hospital by her husband, Parag Tyagi. She was declared dead on arrival. A post-mortem was later conducted at the hospital.

Rising to fame in 2002 with the music video Kaanta Laga, she later appeared in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and participated in reality shows like Bigg Boss 13 and Nach Baliye 5. Known for her candour, she had also spoken openly about battling epilepsy and mental health issues.

Mika Singh, who had worked with Shefali in the music video Hoton Pe Bas, said, “Life is so unpredictable. I knew this beautiful soul for over 25 years. We did countless shows together, crossed paths at many events, yet never truly got the chance to work closely. Then in 2020, Shefali called me and said, ‘Let’s do a song.’ We finally made it happen. Now I sit here thinking, I wish we had done more. Spent more time and made more memories. This has made me realize life is short and we must keep in touch with our loved ones… because sometimes, we don’t get a second chance.”

Shefali appeared in the TV show Shaitani Rasmein last year. Her co-actor Surbhi Shukla said, “I’m still finding it hard to believe she’s gone. On set, she was always cheerful and down-to-earth. At the same time, she was very hardworking, often quietly sitting in a corner, going over her lines with full dedication. She was fit, committed and full of life. She was very kind, warm and a great co-actor. What I remember most is her at our 50-episode celebration — dancing, singing, and laughing. That happy image is what stays with me now.”

I had known her for 15 years — we had performed together at a few live shows. She supported me during Bigg Boss. The last time we spoke was a year ago. We had even discussed collaborating on a song. She was a kind-hearted and fun-loving soul. Her absence will be deeply felt.

Earlier in an interview with us, Shefali had spoken about her plans to adopt a child. However, post the pandemic, she had said, “I have lost too many close ones in this period, which has made me realize that life is fragile. I am scared to become a parent now, but Parag is ready. I believe you should bring home your baby only when you are ready and confident. I have just taken a step back and will wait until I feel confident to take that step in life.”

– Inputs by Neha Maheshwri and Onkar Kulkarni