Bigg Boss mourns again: Shefali Jariwala and 7 others lost young

Mumbai: In a heartbreaking moment for TV fans, Shefali Jariwala, famous for the hit song Kaanta Laga and a popular contestant from Bigg Boss 13, passed away on June 27 due to a suspected cardiac arrest. She was only 42 years old.

Her sudden death has sparked fresh talk of a so-called “Bigg Boss curse”—a growing list of young contestants who’ve died unexpectedly.

Bigg Boss Contestants Who Died Too Soon

Here’s a list of 8 former contestants who tragically passed away under the age of 45:

1. Shefali Jariwala (42)

Died of suspected cardiac arrest in 2025. Known for her performance in Kaanta Laga and appearance in Bigg Boss 13.

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A post shared by Shefali Jariwala 🧿 (@shefalijariwala)

2. Sidharth Shukla (40)

Bigg Boss 13 winner. Passed away in 2021 due to a sudden heart attack. His death shocked the nation.

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A post shared by Sidharth Shukla (@realsidharthshukla)

3. Sonali Phogat (42)

Bigg Boss 14 contestant and BJP leader. Died in 2023 while in Goa due to cardiac arrest.

4. Pratyusha Banerjee (24)

Bigg Boss 7 contestant. Died by suicide in 2016, sparking mental health conversations.

5. Jayashree Ramaiah (34)

Bigg Boss Kannada 3 star. Died by suicide in 2020 after battling depression.

6. Swami Om (63)

Bigg Boss 10’s most controversial contestant. Died in 2021 due to COVID-19 complications.

7. Somadas Chathannoor (42)

Bigg Boss Malayalam contestant. Passed away in 2021 due to post-COVID complications.

8. Jade Goody (34)

Kannada rapper and former contestant. Died in 2023 from sudden cardiac failure.

Is Reality TV Taking a Toll?

While there’s no proof of a “curse”, the pattern is worrying. Fame, stress, and lack of mental health care might be key factors. Many fans and celebrities are now demanding stronger post-show support for reality stars.

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