The Unspoken Longing: Shefali Jariwala’s Journey Through Love, Loss, and Motherhood

Shefali Jariwala, the name that once set millions of hearts racing with her iconic performance in “Kaanta Laga,” is no stranger to the limelight. But behind her dazzling smile and the glitz of the entertainment industry lies a story that is rarely spoken of—a story of resilience, heartbreak, and the unfulfilled longing to become a mother. In a world where motherhood is often seen as the ultimate fulfillment of womanhood, Shefali’s journey stands as a testament to the silent struggles so many women endure, often behind closed doors.

A Life That Seemed Perfect

At 42, Shefali Jariwala appeared to have it all. She was well-settled, financially independent, and her married life seemed blissful to those on the outside. She radiated confidence and warmth, both on-screen and off. Yet, beneath this veneer of contentment was a void that gnawed at her soul—a void shaped by her unfulfilled dream of motherhood.

For Shefali, like for many women, the desire to become a mother was not just a societal expectation but a deeply personal aspiration. “Every little girl dreams of holding her child in her arms someday,” Shefali once confided in a close friend, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m no different. I’ve always wanted to be a mother.”

The Shadows of Her First Marriage

Shefali’s journey through love was never easy. In 2004, she married Harmeet Singh of the famous Meet Brothers duo. The union, which began with promise and hope, soon descended into turmoil. The marriage lasted only a few years, ending in a painful divorce in 2009.

The separation was not just emotionally taxing—it was traumatic. Shefali filed a police complaint against Harmeet, accusing him of both physical and mental abuse. She alleged that he had withdrawn ₹12 lakhs from her account without her consent, but the emotional scars ran much deeper than any financial loss.

“Abuse isn’t always about bruises,” Shefali later said in an interview. “It’s about the silence, the neglect, the constant feeling of not being seen or appreciated. It’s about losing yourself bit by bit until you don’t recognize the person in the mirror anymore.”

The divorce left Shefali shattered. The very word ‘marriage’ became a source of fear. She immersed herself in work, pouring her pain into her performances, but the idea of dating or trusting someone again seemed impossible.

Love Finds Her Again

But fate had other plans. In 2014, Shefali met Parag Tyagi, an actor known for his gentle demeanor and infectious laughter. They met through mutual friends at a party, and something clicked instantly. For the first time in years, Shefali felt her heart flutter—not with anxiety, but with hope.

Parag was everything Shefali’s first husband was not. He was attentive, kind, and supportive. He listened to her stories, wiped away her tears, and stood by her through every storm. “He made me believe in love again,” Shefali said, her voice trembling with emotion.

In 2015, the two tied the knot in an intimate ceremony, surrounded by close friends and family. The wedding was a celebration not just of their love, but of Shefali’s courage to trust again.

The Struggle to Conceive

After marriage, Shefali and Parag looked forward to starting a family. They tried for years, hoping each month for a miracle. “Every time I missed my period, my heart would leap with hope,” Shefali recalled. “But month after month, that hope would be crushed.”

They consulted doctors, underwent numerous treatments, and endured the emotional rollercoaster of fertility procedures. The couple tried everything—from IVF to alternative therapies—but nothing worked. Each failed attempt was a fresh wound, a reminder of what they could not have.

Shefali’s pain was compounded by the well-meaning but intrusive questions from relatives and the media. “When are you planning to have a baby?” they would ask, oblivious to the agony their words caused. She learned to smile and deflect, but inside, she was breaking.

The Decision to Adopt

After years of disappointment, Shefali and Parag began to consider adoption. “We realized that family isn’t just about blood,” Parag said. “It’s about love, and we had plenty of that to give.”

Shefali was excited. She dreamed of bringing home a baby, of decorating a nursery, of hearing the pitter-patter of little feet. But the adoption process was fraught with challenges. There were endless forms, interviews, and home visits. More painfully, there were disagreements within the extended family. While Shefali, Parag, and her immediate family were ready, some of Parag’s relatives hesitated, unsure about accepting an adopted child.

“It broke my heart,” Shefali admitted. “I was ready to love a child unconditionally, but not everyone around me was ready for that journey.”

When Every Door Closed

As the adoption process stalled, Shefali found herself sinking into depression. She stopped attending family gatherings, unable to bear the sight of babies in the arms of new mothers. She avoided social media, where pregnancy announcements seemed to pop up every other day. The world, it seemed, was moving on, while she remained trapped in her grief.

One evening, as Shefali sat alone on her balcony, she broke down. The city lights blurred through her tears. “Why me?” she whispered to the night sky. “Why can’t I be a mother?”

It was then that a close friend suggested something that would change her life. “Why don’t you get a dog?” the friend said gently. “You have so much love to give. Maybe this is how you’re meant to be a mother.”

A New Kind of Motherhood

The idea seemed odd at first, but the more Shefali thought about it, the more it made sense. A few weeks later, she and Parag brought home a tiny, trembling puppy—a golden retriever they named “Joy.”

From the moment Joy entered their lives, everything changed. Shefali poured all her love and care into her new companion. She woke up early for walks, learned to cook special meals, and even took swimming lessons so she could play with Joy in the pool.

“Joy became my child,” Shefali said, her face lighting up as she recounted their adventures. “He filled the emptiness in my heart. He gave me a reason to smile again.”

Parag, too, embraced their new role as “dog parents.” Together, they celebrated Joy’s birthdays, took him on vacations, and even included him in family photos. “He’s not just a pet,” Parag said. “He’s our son.”

The Healing Power of Unconditional Love

Through Joy, Shefali discovered a new kind of motherhood—one not defined by biology, but by love. She found healing in the simple joys of life: a wagging tail, a wet nose, the sound of Joy’s paws as he raced through the house.

But the journey was not without its bittersweet moments. Shefali often wondered what it would have been like to hold her own baby, to hear a child call her “mama.” On some nights, she would sit by Joy’s side and whisper her dreams into his soft fur, tears mingling with laughter.

Yet, over time, the pain eased. Shefali learned to celebrate what she had, rather than mourn what she had lost. She became an advocate for pet adoption, sharing her story with other women who struggled with infertility. “Motherhood is about nurturing, caring, and loving unconditionally,” she said in a moving social media post. “You don’t need to give birth to be a mother.”

An Inspiration to Many

Today, Shefali Jariwala stands as an inspiration to countless women. She speaks openly about her struggles, breaking the silence that surrounds infertility and adoption in Indian society. Her courage has encouraged others to share their own stories, to seek help, and to find hope even in the darkest of times.

Shefali’s journey is a reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, but happiness can still be found in unexpected places. Her story teaches us that love—no matter its form—is what truly makes a family.

As Shefali walks Joy along the tree-lined streets of Mumbai, she smiles at the life she has built. It may not be the life she once dreamed of, but it is a life full of love, laughter, and hope—a life that, in its own way, is complete.