Posting a video featuring Shefali and Simba, Parag expressed his grief in a heartfelt message. “Now mamma is not alone. Simba is very happy with mamma. I can't wait to meet both of you, my lifelines, on the other side,” he wrote.

The post quickly drew condolences from fans and members of the entertainment industry, many of whom remembered the close bond Shefali shared with her pet.

For Shefali, Simba was much more than a companion. The actor often referred to him as her “son” and regularly shared pictures and videos of their time together on social media. Their relationship had become a familiar part of her public life, with fans frequently seeing Simba accompany her during celebrations and family moments.

According to Parag Tyagi, Simba had appeared unusually quiet and withdrawn after Shefali’s passing. In earlier social media posts, he had suggested that the pet struggled emotionally following the loss of his owner.

The bond between Shefali and Simba was especially evident during festivals. Every year, she would tie a rakhi to Simba during Raksha Bandhan, treating him as a member of the family. After her death, Parag continued the tradition by tying a rakhi to Simba, a gesture that resonated with many of her followers.

Shefali Jariwala passed away suddenly on June 27, 2025. Reports at the time stated that a religious ceremony had been organised at her home that day and that she had been observing a fast. Media reports suggested she had taken insulin before consuming refrigerated food, after which her health deteriorated rapidly.

She was rushed for medical attention but could not be saved. While several reports linked her death to a fluctuation in blood pressure, her family has never officially confirmed the exact cause, and they have largely maintained privacy regarding the circumstances surrounding her passing.

Shefali first rose to nationwide fame with the iconic music video Kaanta Laga, earning the nickname "Kaanta Laga Girl." She later appeared in several television shows, music videos and reality programmes, expanding her presence in the entertainment industry.

In 2019, she entered Bigg Boss 13 as a wildcard contestant. During the season, viewers saw her cordial relationship with her former boyfriend, the late actor Sidharth Shukla, whose death from cardiac arrest in 2021 had also shocked the television industry.

The passing of Simba has reopened memories of Shefali for many fans, who flooded social media with messages remembering both the actor and her beloved pet. Parag Tyagi's emotional tribute reflected not only the loss of a pet but also the enduring bond that continued to connect Simba with Shefali even after her passing.

As condolences continue to pour in, Simba's death marks another deeply personal loss for Parag Tyagi, closing a chapter that had remained closely tied to Shefali Jariwala's memory.