Shefali Jariwala, who had no kids, dreamed of adopting a baby girl. But something was stopping her

Shefali Jariwala, remembered for her appearance in the popular music video Kaanta Laga and as a Bigg Boss 13 contestant, had once shared a deeply personal aspiration — her desire to adopt a child. Long before her rise to fame, Shefali had thought about motherhood through adoption. She revealed in multiple interviews that the idea of adoption first took root when she was just around 10 or 12 years old, and it remained with her throughout her life.

Shefali specifically wished to adopt a baby girl, believing daughters shared a unique emotional bond with their parents — a connection she cherished with her own. Her dream wasn’t shaped by fame or societal expectations, but a consistent and heartfelt desire to provide love and security to a child in need.

Convincing Her Family and Partner

While Shefali had clarity about her decision, she admitted that the process required alignment with her partner, actor Parag Tyagi. In interviews, she mentioned that it was during her stint in Bigg Boss 13 that Parag began to seriously consider the idea of starting a family. Despite their evolving understanding as a couple, the journey towards adoption was far from smooth.


She also faced resistance from her family. Some members were initially unsupportive of her decision to adopt. However, Shefali believed that with time, understanding would come. For her, adoption wasn’t just a means to motherhood — it was a way to give back the love and privilege life had given her.

Adoption Laws and Emotional Toll

Though committed to adoption, Shefali acknowledged in her interview with ETimes that the legal and emotional hurdles involved. She described the process as long, regulated, and emotionally draining. She said the authorities evaluate many aspects — the couple's marital stability, health conditions, and home environment. Extensive paperwork, counseling sessions, and interactions with adoptive families are also part of the procedure.

Shefali noted that many hopeful parents even lose confidence midway due to the challenges. She explained how the process could take up to four years under normal circumstances, with the pandemic further delaying it. In fact, she said the lockdown significantly disrupted their plans, affecting not just the timeline but also their emotional readiness.


Despite all difficulties, Shefali remained vocal about breaking the stigma around adoption. She said that a child doesn’t need to be biologically related to be loved like one’s own. To her, what mattered was giving a child a safe and nurturing home.

Her words reflected a strong belief that the child destined for her would eventually find their way into her life. While her dream remained unfulfilled at the time of her passing, Shefali Jariwala’s openness about adoption brought attention to an issue often overlooked — and showed that love, not biology, defines parenthood.