Shefali Jariwala: I became an overnight sensation with ‘Kaanta Laga’; I still have not been able to fathom the success – Exclusive – Times of India

Shefali Jariwala had no plans to become a part of the entertainment industry when she was spotted and offered a music video, which changed her entire life. The song was ‘Kaanta Laga’. Even after 20 years, the actress says she still cannot fathom the success she received overnight. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Shefali spilled the beans on being a public personality, how she handles trolls on social media, and overcoming epilepsy. Excerpts…
You became an overnight star after ‘Kaanta Laga’. Did you anticipate it? What was your feeling at the time?

My life has been nothing short of a fairytale. As a simple middle-class girl aspiring to be a computer engineer, I was spotted and offered a song that became such a huge hit, and I became an overnight sensation. I never anticipated it and still have not been able to fathom the success. That has kept me grounded all these years, and my head has been on my shoulders.

More and more celebs are talking about their health issues openly. You too have spoken about your epilepsy seizures. What was that phase like and how did you overcome it?
I had my first seizure when I was 15, and for a decade, living with epilepsy was a challenge. Mood and anxiety disorders affected schoolwork and social functioning. At that age, expressing feelings of hopelessness and helplessness was impossible. I had such low self-esteem.

But as I grew older, there were newer challenges. The stress of having a seizure at an inappropriate time and place always loomed over my head, especially after ‘Kaanta Laga’ when I was shooting and performing on stage, traveling so much.

And to top it off, the side effects of the medication were awful. But that’s all in the past now, medicines, a strong support system, and positive lifestyle changes have helped me. And now I’m seizure-free for 15 years. Overcoming epilepsy has made me mentally stronger, physically fitter, and I am living my best life now.

Being a public personality, a lot of stuff gets written about you. Do you ever go online and read about yourself?

One cannot ignore stuff that is written or said about you, especially on social media and tabloids. Admiration brings a lot of joy and is very motivating, but mindless gossip and constant criticism can be very hurtful.

Honestly, it did bother me initially. I was pretty young when there were controversies around my work. But today, I get a good laugh out of any gossip, and I have matured to understand that people will always have an opinion about me. But that doesn’t change who I am and how I feel about myself.

I am also fortunate to have a rock-solid support system in my family and friends. Things that used to bother me before, I don’t really care about anymore.

How do you deal with trolls and negativity on social media?

Constructive criticism is always appreciated, but everything else doesn’t bother me. People will always have an opinion about me, but it doesn’t change how I think of myself. I am strong-willed, ambitious, and hardworking, and I am living a wonderful life. That’s all that really matters. Trolls are only looking for attention, and I don’t give it to them.

What, according to you, are the advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity?

Being constantly judged and having no privacy is quite a struggle. There are no holidays or pension schemes. We work through the day and night at times, sleep deprived and stressed while managing physical appearances. It’s important to be polite even if one is having a hard day.

The common perception is that celebrities and famous personalities have everything in life. But it takes a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears to make it, and even more to maintain it. Fame is a blessing if handled well. There is such joy in being loved and adored by millions. For me, the pros outweigh the cons.

What does 2023 have in store for Shefali?

I have so much to look forward to this year. The year started with the release of Ouch 2, for which we are getting so much love and appreciation. I have already finished shooting for two web series that will be released this year.

I have been performing all over the country and the world, and just within three months, I have visited 5 countries already. I am going to be doing some fantastic acting jobs and stage gigs throughout the year, and I also plan to take plenty of vacations.

The best is yet to come, and I am so looking forward to it.