It has been an incredibly difficult few months for actor Parag Tyagi, who is still reeling from the sudden and tragic loss of his beloved wife, Shefali Jariwala, fondly remembered by millions as Bollywood’s ‘Kaanta Laga’ girl. Shefali passed away unexpectedly on June 27, leaving behind a void that Parag describes as “impossible to fill.”
The couple, who had been inseparable for years, shared not just a home but countless dreams, one of which was very close to Shefali’s heart, to start an organisation dedicated to girls’ education and women’s empowerment. Parag revealed that for over 12 years, Shefali had nurtured this dream, hoping to one day make it a reality.
As if fate hadn’t been cruel enough, just days after losing Shefali, the couple’s beloved pet dog, Simba, also passed away. Simba had been like their child, often featuring in their social media posts as “Simba aur Pari ke Papa,” a playful nod to the little family they had built together. Losing both within such a short span, Parag says, has been “an unthinkable pain.”
On what would have been their wedding anniversary, August 12, Parag took a step to keep Shefali’s dream alive. He announced the formation of The Shefali Jariwala Rise Foundation, an organisation focused on empowering women and promoting education for girls. To support this initiative, Parag has also launched a YouTube channel named Shefali Parag Tyagi @Simba aur Pari ke Papa.
In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Parag promised that his very first podcast would answer the many questions surrounding that tragic night and everything that followed. He made it clear that every rupee earned from the channel will go directly to the foundation, helping the cause Shefali cared about so deeply.
“Please give the same love you gave us to this channel too,” Parag urged fans. “This is not just for me, but for Pari’s dream. For Simba. For the life we had and the future she wanted for others.”
