Showing posts with label Shefali Jariwala interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shefali Jariwala interview. Show all posts
Parag Tyagi recognised the monotony in my life, pushed me towards acting-Shefali Jariwala
8:29 AM
Jaspreet Nijher (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2022)
Although she has done reality shows, Shefali Jariwala has stayed away from saas-bahu TV soaps. Best known as the Kaanta Laga girl, she spoke to us about why she isn’t interested in being a part of daily soaps, and how her husband and actor Parag Tyagi helped her take up acting more seriously. Excerpts:
Why didn’t you pursue music videos or even TV after the success of Kaanta Laga?
I am doing web now, though not mainstream Hindi television. I have often been approached for music videos, especially in Punjabi, but that was not on my agenda and still isn’t. My focus shifted towards acting, even though dancing will always be my first love. There are some roles that come your way to make you grow as a performer, refine your craft, and web has given me that. Fortunately, audiences also accept artistes on web more readily than other mass mediums.
Why have you stayed away from TV so far despite doing three dance reality shows?
TV has a huge audience and that’s why it is surviving, but I don’t see myself in that zone wearing a saree and playing the ideal bahu right now. In real life, I am a doting wife, but my reality doesn’t help me improve my craft.
How has Parag contributed to your onscreen journey?
It was because of Parag that I took up acting seriously. He recognized the monotony that was seeping into my life even before I saw it. He told me that you are growing as a person, but you should evolve as an artiste, too. He is such a good artiste that you will be amazed how good a person he is in real when you see him as a bad boy on screen.
Sidharth Shukla lives on... in our hearts and memories-Shefali Jariwala
7:42 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; September 2, 2022)
It’s been a year since Sidharth Shukla passed away. Last year on September 2, he breathed his last after suffering a cardiac arrest. But his popularity remains intact. In fact, people close to him feel it has grown even more, which is evident from the numerous trends on social media. His followers continue to celebrate his achievements — from Balika Vadhu to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania to Bigg Boss 13 — and remember all his glorious moments. One of the popular hashtags on Twitter is #SidharthShuklaLivesOn. His friends from the industry miss him, but they are glad to see the way his fans continue to cheer for him.
Shefali Jariwala, who has known Sidharth for two decades and was a part of Bigg Boss 13, echoes this sentiment. “It’s sad that he is not with us anymore, but he still lives in our hearts and memories. His fandom is so huge that we constantly see him through his fans on social media. They keep putting up his pictures and videos, which make us feel that he is still around us. Sidharth won many hearts with the good work that he has done. It’s very difficult to imagine that he is not here, and sometimes I go blank just thinking about it, because I still haven’t come to terms with it,” says the actress, adding, “I hope Sidharth is in a better place wherever he is. He will be happy to see that he has such loving fans and friends, who have kept him alive in their memories. I am sure he is smiling down upon us.”
Shefali, who knew Sidharth since her college days, shares, “I have not had an opportunity to work with him, but I have known him since our college days, which is 20 years. One thing about him is that he never changed in all these years. He was always fun-loving, dynamic, charming and a large-hearted guy, and he loved his friends a lot. He was a yaaron ka yaar.”
Going down memory lane, Shefali recounts the time when they first met. “That was when I was in Class XI or XII during an inter-college festival. He was pursuing Architecture and I was pursuing Science. There was a tragedy that had happened in both our lives — we had lost our best friends due to different reasons — and that’s how we connected. Back then, I didn’t know how to travel by train and he used to guide me on how to go from point A to point B. We lost touch some time later, but reconnected again when we both were modelling. We even dated for a brief period, but then we grew apart. However, we were always cordial when we met at any award function or event. And then we met in the Bigg Boss house three years ago and hit it off again.”
Shefali Jariwala trains her house help to acquire a new skill set - driving
8:02 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 12, 2022)
One of Shefali Jariwala’s long-standing desires has been to hire a lady driver. However, when she failed to find one, she took the onus on herself to train one. She enrolled her house help of 15 years, Rekha Mujmule (42 years), in a driving class. Shefali shares, “I don’t agree with the notion that women aren’t as equipped as their male counterparts when it comes to driving. I drive and I strongly believe that female drivers are a lot more patient, focused and law-abiding. In fact, I was looking to hire a female driver for a long time, but failed to get one. Rekha seemed interested in learning to drive, and so I thought of enrolling her in a driving school. She manages my home in my absence and takes charge of everything. So, why not take charge of the car, too? That was the beginning of it all.”
Shefali further adds, “Last August, we enrolled her in a driving school. It took her around four months to learn basic driving. She later applied for a driving licence and procured it after clearing the test in December.”
Today, Shefali can’t think of anyone but Rekha to drive her around. “Though she is shy, I insist on her driving me whenever I have to run errands. I am sure she will become more confident with time and will take other people around, too. The intention was to make her financially more secure and independent. I feel people are a lot apprehensive about hiring a lady driver. I hope that one day our society is more accepting of female drivers. I feel that strong women should uplift and empower other women. I am grateful for being in a position to give a helping hand and encourage another woman. I would love to see more women taking up jobs that are usually for men. Here’s to breaking gender stereotypes,” she concludes.
I didn’t work much after Kaanta Laga because I suffered from epilepsy seizures-Shefali Jariwala
3:50 PM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 6, 2021)
Many actors have spoken about battling mental health problems in recent times and the latest to share her experiences on the subject is Shefali Jariwala. The actress, who became popular as the Kaanta Laga girl when the music video released in 2002, was not seen in too many projects post that. In an exclusive chat, Shefali shares the reason why she went missing post the success of the song.
She says, “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. I have got seizures in classrooms, backstage, while on roads, and somewhere that lowered my self-esteem.”
Speaking about why she didn't take up work after the Kaanta Laga music video, she says, “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. Today, I am seizure-free for nine 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. ”
Talking about how she has stayed positive during the pandemic, the actress shares, “The pandemic situation has been tough, but I have consciously worked on my mental health and stayed away from any kind of things that could trigger depression. I focussed on doing meditation, yoga, sketching, drawing and other things that kept me happy. Exercise and some positive lifestyle changes helped me a lot.”
Shefali, who is married to actor Parag Tyagi, was seen in Bigg Boss 13 two years ago, which brought her back into the limelight. Now, she wants to focus on doing some good work across different mediums.
Sidharth Shukla was a very private person; making a spectacle of his passing was really disturbing-Shefali Jariwala
8:25 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 10, 2021)
Like his other friends, Sidharth Shukla’s sudden death came as an absolute shocker for Shefali Jariwala, who says she is still in disbelief. “The passing of a friend and something that we did not expect at all has been difficult for me. It has been a shocker and it still hasn’t sunk in actually,” she admits.
Shukla’s untimely death has also been a rude shock to his rumoured girlfriend, Shehnaaz Gill. “Shehnaaz is a strong woman. She will get through it,” says Jariwala, who participated with both Gill and Shukla on a reality show.
“Even Sidharth’s mother and his sisters are really strong. Normally, a mother would be inconsolable, but she was holding it together. They all have each other and they will get through it. I just pray that they have the strength to cope with this loss,” the actor hopes.
Jariwala, who had earlier dated Shukla, was angry to see how people were hounding his family and Gill.
“At the funeral, it was a circus. I was so angry to see the way people hounded Shehnaaz. It was not right. Shehnaaz and his mother and sisters are grieving. You have to give them the space and privacy to do so. Sidharth was a very private person, as so is his mother; making such a spectacle of his passing was really disturbing to see. It is not something that he would have wanted,” says the 38-year-old.
Along with Jariwala, other participants of the reality show were also present to support Shukla’s family, including Asim Riaz and Rashami Desai.
Whenever Parag Tyagi sneezes or coughs, I hit the panic button-Shefali Jariwala
8:32 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2021)
Shefali, who says that it’s important to focus on mental health and talk about it in the current situation, posts messages encouraging people to think positive on social media. Talking about the things that she finds solace in, Shefali shares, “When restrictions were lifted, Parag and I went camping and hiking, which gave us a lot of joy. I have created a small garden in my balcony, and tending to the plants gives me a lot of joy. Just going back to basics has brought a certain sense of calm in my life. In fact, today, rather than the treadmill, I prefer walking on green grass.”
I would want my first child to be adopted-Shefali Jariwala
8:01 AM
Shefali Jariwala has convinced husband Parag Tyagi, but the process of bringing a girl child home has been interrupted by the lockdown
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 24, 2020)
When Shefali Jariwala signed up as a wild card entrant on the last edition of Salman Khan’s realilty show Bigg Boss, after refusing to feature in the first season and every subsequent offer thereafter, little did she know it would serve as prep for the coming months. Evicted in Week 17, she was basking in all the attention coming her way, till the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic brought the world to a halt. But the dancer-actress prefers this lockdown to being under the surveillance of 150 cameras while locked up in the Bigg Boss house. “At least there is no controversy here; no one is getting eliminated every week. I am also full of gratitude for all that I have with me through the lockdown—my family, the TV and phone. In the house, you don’t even get a piece of paper and a pen,” she points out.
However, she admits that had it not been for the show, she would have “gone nuts” under house arrest. “After learning to cook and clean bathrooms on camera, there was no shame in doing the same at home. Having been captain of the house, I had also learnt to delegate work. I gave Parag (Tyagi, actor-husband) a set of duties and kept the rest for myself, telling him to stay out of my way,” she chuckles.
During her time in the house, Shefali had spoken of her desire to adopt a girl child. She says she has been ready since the first time she visited an orphanage at the age of 10. “After five years of marriage, everyone was going, ‘bachcha, bachcha, bachcha’. That’s when I spoke to Parag about adoption. My life has been like a fairytale and I want to share this love and blessing with someone. It took a while for him and our families to understand and accept my decision,” she relays, rueing the delay brought on by the lockdown. “Research, paperwork and counselling sessions take time, but we are positive,” she adds wistfully. And what about a child of her own? “Never say never. But for having a baby, we have to be together, right?” she laughs, adding, “I would want my first child to be adopted. If we go for a second child, maybe I’ll have one of my own.”
But as of now, she’s busy with musician-friend Mika Singh’s music video. “He sent over the remixed version of ‘Honthon Pe Bas’ and asked me to collaborate. I loved the song and he managed to get it shot during the lockdown. I tried singing too, but I sound like a cockroach, so we both stuck to what I know best,” guffaws the self-proclaimed ‘thong girl of India’ who created a stir when she gyrated to a remixed version of “Kaanta Laga” for her debut music video in 2002, recreating the same in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. “It was the first time a remix was used in a film and with names like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, there was no way I’d say no,” she points out.
However, Shefali has refused acting offers in films and TV because it was uncharted territory, choosing to do stage shows instead and completing her education on her father’s insistence. “Like every teenager, I wanted to see myself on TV. There was the added lure of pocket money. But coming from an academic family, giving up on a degree was never an option,” says the qualified computer engineer and partner in her sister’s gamification company in Dubai. “If the lockdown lasts longer, I’ll sign up for MBA. I’m also looking forward to doing a comedy; I am a funny girl,” she giggles, signing off.
It has been my childhood dream to adopt a child-Shefali Jariwala
8:39 AM
Shefali and her actor husband Parag Tyagi are ready to become parents now
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 19, 2020)
Actor couple Shefali Jariwala and Parag Tyagi, who tied the knot in 2015, are eager to welcome a baby girl into their family. The two have initiated the formalities for adoption and are keeping their fingers crossed. For Shefali, adoption has been a childhood dream. She says, “I was around 12 years old when I understood the concept of adoption, and tab se hi mann mein ye khayal aa gaya tha ki I will adopt a child. There are so many children who need a good upbringing. I know that Parag and I will be good parents. Fortunately, we are in a position to raise them well, and give them the love, education and life they deserve. My desire became stronger when I was inside the Bigg Boss house.”
Shefali said, “Previously, there have been times when I developed cold feet, but during Bigg Boss, I had enough time to introspect and I became even more sure that this is what I want to do. I told Parag that it had to happen now. At some point, we may also have biological children. Never say never.”
While it has been her longstanding wish, it took time for Shefali to convince Parag and their respective families. She shares, “Like it happens in most families even these days, the first question our parents asked us was, ‘Why adopt when you can have your own?’ Initially, it was difficult to convince Parag as well. It was important for him to support me whole-heartedly, as we would be raising the child as a team. Today, both of us and our families are on the same page.”
The couple is a bit disappointed that the adoption process has slowed down owing to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. Shefali says, “All the offices were shut during the lockdown. In any case, adoption is a long, meticulous process in our country; there is a lot of paperwork and documentation involved. It might actually take two-three years before you can bring the baby home. Parag and I have initiated the process. I know that it’s been delayed, but it will happen when it has to happen, because these things are destined. I have the faith and patience.”
For now, the actress is busy parenting and pampering their eight-year-old pug, Simba. “Oh yes! He is our son and he is quite a handful (laughs!),” she signs off.
Asim Riaz was hitting on me, but I told him that I am married and much older than him-Shefali Jariwala
7:53 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; January 28, 2020)
Shefali Jariwala joined Bigg Boss 13 midway and in no time emerged as one of the strongest contestants on the reality show. However, towards the end, it seemed like she was losing her sheen and was voted out over the weekend. Soon after her exit, Shefali spoke to BT about her journey on the show, proximity with friend-turned-foe Asim Riaz and her equation with Sidharth Shukla. Read on...You were inside the house for three months. How would you sum up your journey?
It’s been a wonderful experience. There are many good players and the stress level is high this season. I am happy that I lasted for three months, I think that I am a better version of myself today. There is so much to learn in the house — it’s a game of patience, willpower and courage. There were times when I was down and out, and I didn’t know I had so much patience and courage to fight back, because in the real world, if you don’t like something, you walk away from it. Living in the house, I also realised that I am logical and sensible compared to a lot of others (laughs!). I also got in touch with my emotional side; I am happy to know that I could be this emotional. I am proud that I played with a lot of dignity and tried my best not to stoop low even when people provoked or instigated me.
You seemed quite strong in the first half, voicing your opinions and standing up for what you believed was right. However, towards the second half, many people felt that you ended up being under the shadow of Sidharth Shukla, Paras Chhabra and Mahira Sharma...
Inside the house, if you show a sign of weakness, the others pounce on you, they use and abuse it. Being a wild-card entrant, my biggest challenge was to forge an alliance; I needed it. I bonded with Hindustani Bhau (Vikas Fhatak), Himanshi Khurana and Asim Riaz. After Bhau and Himanshi were eliminated, it was just Asim and me in the group. We were going strong; I trusted him completely and thought that it was mutual. However, his behaviour changed overnight, and he became rude towards me. Actually, he played a game with me, just like he played with Sidharth Shukla. The moment he found Himanshi and me, he walked out on Sidharth. And the moment he found Rashami Desai, he walked out on me. If you lose a strong alliance at that point in the game, you become directionless. It happened with me right in the middle of the game, when I was going strong. Around that time, Sidharth and Paras exited the house (temporarily) because of health reasons. When they returned, their attitude towards me had changed. I am very organic with my relationships. I didn’t befriend anyone as part of a strategy or game. I befriended them because I truly liked them. And just when we were about to become a team, I was eliminated. I am always pro-Sidharth. There were issues with him in between, but I have known him for a long time, and I will vote for him. I want him to win the show. At the moment, Asim is the most negative and toxic person inside the house.
Many of your supporters felt that you looked stronger with Asim and comparatively weaker when you joined Sidharth, Paras and Mahira’s team...
I must have looked strong when I was with Asim, because he doesn’t have a mind of his own. On the other hand, Paras, Mahira and Sidharth have very strong opinions. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to jump in and share my opinions with them right away. At that time, winning their trust was most important for me; I had to be mellow, show them who I really was, and didn’t want them to feel threatened. In that process, it might have come across that I was losing my mojo, which wasn’t the case.
When Asim and you were good friends, a section of the audience also felt that there was something more between the two of you. What do you have to say about that?
Oh no, not at all. In fact, Asim did hit on me initially. It wasn’t direct, but everyone in the house had sensed it. However, I made it clear to him that I am a much older, married woman, and I am not interested. That’s when he shifted his focus to Himanshi, who, too, didn’t give him any attention back then. So, he used my friendship and me to get close to her. I have never taken a fancy for Asim. Yes, I did love him as a friend; I always called him my little kiddo in the house.
You said that this season features a lot of good players. Who is your pick?Irrespective of the kind of game they play — negative or positive — Sidharth and Asim are good. Paras is also a very good player, he knows how to manipulate and play with your psyche. Shehnaz Gill (left), too, is a player. She knows exactly what she is doing, she is not a child. I don’t think Rashami is a good player, I don’t know what she is doing in the house.
You said that unlike the outside world, you can’t walk away from people inside the house. Given a choice, who would you have walked away from?
Definitely, Asim and Shehnaz. She had started getting on my nerves towards the end. In fact, her pretence of being a stupid, little child was getting to everyone in the house. Sidharth, too, is done with Shehnaz now. It’s sad, as they looked great together for the audience.
While you had the support of Sidharth, Paras and Mahira inside the house, your husband Parag Tyagi was your biggest supporter outside. The two of you come across as contrasting personalities. While he seems to be the emotional one, you are quite practical. What’s the secret to your happy marriage?
I don’t know... I think it’s all him. I am not an easy person to live with. Yes, I am very practical. It’s not that I am not at all emotional, but I am not very expressive. It happens when you start working at a very young age. Being a woman in a man’s world, it’s more of a self-preservation tactic. But Parag understands me and knows how much I love him. I think his understanding has kept us together and also, the immense trust he has in me. But I have to say that after three months in the Bigg Boss house, I do want to show that man some more love now. That’s something I realised for the first time in my life. You understand the true value of something when you are away from it. I can’t live without Parag now.
Sidharth Shukla and I had a special relationship-Shefali Jariwala
7:42 AM
Shefali Jariwala on coming face-to-face with her ex after years and why she did not agree to go on Salman's show earlier
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 4, 2019)
This weekend, Salman Khan welcomed six wildcard contestants in the Bigg Boss house after its first four-week finale. One of them is the “Kaanta Laga” girl, Shefali Jariwala, who believes that the environment in the house had become negative and she will bring in some positivity.
Shefali shares that she was approached for previous seasons too but she was keen to complete her education. "After that there were personal issues. But when they came to me this time, I realised I am getting old. I asked myself if I'd done anything of note and since the answer didn't satisfy me, I said ‘yes’ to the show,” she says, adding that Salman is a big reason for her to sign on.
The actress had one scene in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi with Salman and is all praise for him, recalling how he made her feel comfortable and constantly checked up on her. “After all these years, when we met again, he remembered me and was nice. Now at least I’ll get to see him twice a week through the show,” she blushes.
Sidharth Shukla (left), one of the most controversial contestants this season, is Shefali's ex. Is she anticipating awkwardness between them on the show? “Yes, Sidharth and I had a special relationship, but it ended on a cordial note and we haven’t met in years. So, I am not sure what the dynamic will be like between us,” she muses.After the controversies in the first few weeks, Shefali is happy that Siddharth Dey (right) has been eliminated. “As a viewer I was disgusted by his remarks, and I am so glad he is gone before I entered the house."
You don't need a glittery reception to announce you're were married-Shefali Jariwala
7:45 AM
Kaanta Laga girl Shefali Jariwala reveals details of her wedding to actor Parag Tyagi
Lakshmi V (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2015)
It's been over a year since Kaanta Laga girl
Shefali Jariwala and TV actor Parag Tyagi tied the knot in a private
ceremony. While the two never felt the need to make a public
announcement or host a lavish reception, they are at ease now to talk
about it.“Ours was a court marriage and my driver and our staff, whom we consider family, was our witness,“ says Shefali, adding, “My parents were in South Africa and his parents, in Delhi. We chose to tie the knot on August 12 last year because it was the same date on which he popped the question to me four years ago. We were living together before deciding to make it official. We thought it was the next gradual step.“
The actress is aware that many thought she wanted the wedding to be a secret, but tells us it was not the case. “I don't have happy memories of my previous marriage. I also didn't believe we needed to have a glittery reception to announce we were married. We'd first appeared on Nach Baliye when we were dating, and this year, we returned on the show as a married couple. But if our friends had asked for a party, we would have happily given them one,“ she adds.
So, are the two considering expanding their family? “Not now. Many believe children complete a marriage, and I like kids, too. But we are happy as a couple in our own space and haven't planned a family yet,“ she replies.
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