‘Why Do We Cover Someone’s Grief ?’ Varun Dhawan Slams Media Over Shefali Jariwala Death Coverage

Varun Dhawan Condemns Media Frenzy: Let Families Grieve in Peace After Shefali Jariwala’s Tragic Death.

Grief should not be treated as a spectacle. Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan emphasized this point on social media by condemning the media's invasion of privacy regarding actress Shefali Jariwala’s funeral. Jariwala shocked the nation when she suddenly passed away on June 27, 2025, at the young age of 42. Unfortunately, this tragic occasion saw her and her family’s privacy completely violated. Videos surfaced online of her husband, Parag Tyagi, pleading with the paparazzi, and her mother expressing her deep, unfiltered grief. 

In an impactful Instagram post, Varun Dhawan posed an attention-grabbing question: “Why is the media covering someone’s grief? Everyone looks so uncomfortable with this. How is this benefiting anyone? My request to my friends in the media is that this isn’t how someone would want their final journey to be covered.” This sentiment resonated with fans and other celebrities, including Janhvi Kapoor, who commented, “Finally, someone said it!”

The Horrible Incident and Media Circus 

Shefali Jariwala died at her Mumbai residence due to a suspected cardiac arrest. Her husband lost precious time driving Shefali to the hospital, where she was eventually pronounced dead. While her family was arranging the last rites, the paparazzi swamped the crematorium, taking on-camera footage of every tear and prayer. A clip of Parag Tyagi with hands folded together pleading, Please pray for my pari (angel), don’t make it a drama, was an insightful commentary on the agony of this media event and the voyeurism that followed. 

Dhawan’s scolding unveiled a stark trend: the media was obsessed with profiteering from the pain of the grieving. Parag Tyagi noted that everyone appeared uncomfortable while he was under the glare of cameras. It was reminiscent of a previous buzzkill when Paras Chhabra slammed news reporters who featured Parag walking the dog, hinting at bekar (useless) news. 

Varun Dhawan's Instagram Story Condemning Media Coverage of Shefali Jariwala’s Funeral ( Source: India Today)

Celebrities Unite for Change 

The industry rallied behind Dhawan’s call. Janhvi Kapoor posted Dhawan’s post to popularize the demand for dignity. Priyanka Chopra Jonas expressed her condolences for Shefali separately and said she was too young. The collective anger demonstrated a demand for boundaries that has been growing, at least it was witnessed similar outrages for Sushant Singh Rajput and Sidharath Shukla’s deaths. 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas expressed her condolences for Shefali.

Ethics Over Eyeballs: Social Media Respect Grief Boundaries? 

Even though a public figure chooses limited privacy, Dhawan’s post dismissed the value of coverage like this. While it can draw a clear distinction between coverage examples and respectful homage, Mika Singh and Bigg Boss co-stars attended Shefali’s funeral without cameras, focusing on condolences. 

Parag Tyagi’s plea for privacy during his wife’s last rites underscored a universal right: the ability to grieve without becoming content. With the #NoGriefForClicks trending, the choice is clear for the industry: responsible reporting or exploitation thereof? 

The Final Lesson: Grief Deserves Dignity, Not Dollars 

Shefali Jariwala’s death was not just a headline; it was a tragic loss. Varun Dhawan's comments highlight a growing demand for accountability. When Parag Tyagi scattered her ashes into the sea, his quiet sorrow stood in stark contrast to the surrounding media frenzy. What can we learn from this senseless tragedy? Respect is not merely a request; it is a fundamental right.