Shefali Jariwala's 'Kaanta Laga' lands in controversy as singer Sona Mohapatra calls it 'a smutty video'

Singer Sona Mohapatra has found herself at the center of a social media storm after posting a critical message on Instagram in the wake of Shefali Jariwala’s death. In her post, Mohapatra expressed displeasure at director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s statement "retiring" the 2002 remix of Kaanta Laga, which featured Jariwala. She questioned their authority to make such a declaration and criticised the nature of the music video that made Shefali famous.

Sona Questions Remix Ownership
According to Sona, the true creators of Kaanta Laga were legendary composer R.D. Burman, lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, and singer Lata Mangeshkar, who brought the original track to life in the 1972 film Samadhi. She accused Rao and Sapru of using Shefali’s death for publicity and dismissed the remix as a "smutty" reinterpretation made without the consent of the original creators.

Referring to the 2002 remix video as "a smutty video with a 19-year-old," she acknowledged Jariwala’s passing but framed it as a footnote rather than a tribute, writing, “RIP and all for the 42-year-old lady, but legacy?”

Internet Reacts Strongly to Tone and Timing

The internet, especially Reddit users, reacted strongly to Mohapatra’s post, with many accusing her of being insensitive and disrespectful. One user commented that the post lacked compassion and questioned why Sona refused to even mention Shefali’s name. Others highlighted the inappropriateness of criticising someone who had just passed and could no longer respond to such remarks.

Some fans pointed out the irony that Mohapatra had herself been part of similarly stylized remixes, such as Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar, which featured a provocative video starring Deepal Shaw. This led to accusations of hypocrisy from commenters, who noted the similarity in both the style and tone of the videos.

Following Jariwala’s sudden demise due to cardiac arrest, directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru paid tribute to her by announcing that they would never make a sequel to Kaanta Laga. They credited Shefali for owning the identity of the “Kaanta Laga girl” and stated that the song belonged to her legacy. Their message aimed to honor her contribution to pop culture and expressed that she would remain the face of that iconic moment.

Shefali’s Rise and Untimely Demise
Shefali Jariwala rose to fame with the Kaanta Laga remix, which became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s. Despite appearing in only a handful of projects afterward—largely due to her struggle with epilepsy—she remained a recognizable face in Indian pop culture, with appearances on television shows like Bigg Boss and Nach Baliye. She died at the age of 42, reportedly due to cardiac arrest at her Mumbai home.

While Mohapatra's intent may have been to spotlight the contributions of original artists, the lack of empathy in her tone and the timing of her remarks have overshadowed that message. The conversation has now shifted from the song’s legacy to the ethics of commentary following a public figure’s death.