In 1972, when Prakash Mehra’s Samadhi released, it became popular for its song ‘Kaanta Laga’. With RD Burman as its composer, the song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Decades later, in 2002, T-Series remixed the song for their album DJ Doll and created a music video featuring late actor Shefali Jariwala. It instantly became a hit and brought her widespread recognition, and soon, she became known as the ‘Kaanta Laga girl.
On 27 June, when she breathed her last, it shocked her fans and family members and a few days later, the directors of the music video, Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao, announced that they have officially retired the song forever. This act by the directors has irked singer Sona Mohapatra.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Sona wrote, “3 legends created KAANTA LAGA. Composer, lyricist and singer; RD Burman, Majroon Sultanpuri, Lata Mangeshkar and this utterly misplaced ‘retirement’ by people calling themselves ‘makers’ to get some PR out of a death nothing less. (Viral B is a paid site largely) These two only created a smutty video with a remix with a 19 year old. (Of course no permission from legends required for their xx interpretation). RIP and all for the 42 year old lady but legacy? and this…”
Sona Mohapatra’s Instagram Stories.
Sona Mohapatra’s post didn’t go down well with many. A Reddit user shared a screenshot of her post which prompted response from many on the social media platform. A user wrote, “This is so unnecessary and insensitive, especially if Shefali’s loved ones read it. ‘RIP and all to the 42 year old lady’, she can’t even say her name?! This woman is always salty about something, especially things that don’t concern her. She needs to get a life.” Another comment read, “This is actually so insensitive and hurtful for her close one. Also, there is no need to be rude to a person who is no more here to defend herself.” Other comments read, “Kharoos bua vibes”, and “This is beyond disrespectful. She needs to get a reality check.”
On Saturday, Sona reacted to all the hate and wrote on her Instagram Stories, “To all those trolling me about being insensitive, are we okay with RD Burman, Lata Mangeshkar, Majrooh Sultanpuri… legends of our musical heritage fading and getting disconnected from their own creations? We are ok with paid PR to milk someone’s death? Calling yourself the ‘makers’ of Kaanta Laga is okay when you just the makers of a remix video?”
Sona Mohapatra’s Instagram Stories.
Previously, directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru announced they will never make a sequel or recreate the song, stating that Shefali will always be the only “Kaanta Laga girl.” “Yesterday Was The Prayer Meeting. Saying The Final Goodbyes… With Our First Photo Session Together.. ‘Kaanta Laga’ – CD Inlay Card. You Always Said You Wanted To Be The One And Only ‘Kaanta Laga’ Girl. So We Never Made A Sequel — And We Never Will. We’re Retiring ‘Kaanta Laga’ Forever. It Was Always Yours. It Will Always Be Yours… Shefali…RIP…💔” they shared on Instagram.
Previously, talking to NDTV, Vinay Sapru shared, “Radhika and I were driving on Linking Road in Bandra, Mumbai, and as you said we were looking out for the girl who was like a doll. Here, passes a scooter next to her (Radhika’s) car. There you have an elderly lady and a girl hugging her. Her complexion was almost like Snow White and all innocence.”
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He added, “Radhika and I just looked at her and said, ‘How can somebody we have been looking around for so long just parallel to us while we are driving?’ We then stopped at the next signal and hailed her. We stopped that mother and daughter duo and we asked her (what she did). Then she said she was studying engineering at Bhavan’s College in Andheri. We said, ‘Okay, so if you are interested then come for auditions to the office’. We left our number and left.”
