Rakhi Sawant
Rakhi Sawant
Born Name: Neeru Bheda
Date of Birthday: 25 November 1978
Place of Birth: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Height: 1.65 m
Occupation: Actress, Television presenter, Dancer, Politician, Model
Political party: Republican Party of India (A)
Spouse(s): Ritesh (m. 2019 - Divorced)
Partner(s): Adil Khan Durrani (2022 - )
Siblings: Rakesh Sawant, Usha Sawant
Parents: Jaya Bheda, Anand Sawant
Rakhi Sawant (born Neeru Bheda; 25 November 1978) is an Indian dancer, model, actress and television talk show host, who has appeared in many Hindi and a few Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Telugu and Tamil films and was a contestant on the first season of the Indian reality television series Bigg Boss 1 (2006) and as a challenger and finalist in Bigg Boss 14 (2020). Sawant has established herself as a sex symbol in Bollywood.
Sawant launched her own political party, headed by Jai Shah, called the Rashtriya Aam Party, to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. However, after the election, she joined Republican Party of India (A).
Early life
Rakhi was born as Neeru Bheda to Maya Bheda. Maya married Anand Sawant, a police constable at Worli Police Station, and gave the children surname of their step father.
Career
Career beginnings (1997–2005)
She made her film debut in the 1997 film Agnichakra under the name Ruhi Sawant. She went on to other small roles and dance numbers in Bollywood films Joru Ka Ghulam, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, and Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke.
In 2003, she auditioned for an item number in the Bollywood film Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne. She auditioned about four times before being selected for her breakthrough item number, "Mohabbat Hai Mirchi", composed by Himesh Reshammiya. Sawant acted in small roles in films including Masti and Main Hoon Na.
In 2005, she appeared in the music video "Pardesiya", from the album D.J. Hot Remix - Vol 3.
Television debut and success (2006–present)
In June 2006, Mika Singh attempted to kiss her at his birthday party, which caused a media controversy. A few months later, she appeared in the first season of the reality show Bigg Boss. She got evicted in week 4 but later made a re- entry. She was among the top four finalists but got evicted days before the grand finale (24 January 2007, Day 84). In 2007, Rakhi made her singing debut in the album Super Girl launched by Venus Records & Tapes Pvt. Ltd. She later participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye with Abhishek Avasthi and emerged as the first runner up. In 2008, Sawant appeared in the film Krazzy 4 for the item song 'Dekhta Hai Tu Kya'. In 2009, Sawant launched the reality show Rakhi Ka Swayamwar in which she planned to select her future husband by the ancient ritual of Swayamvar. On 2 August 2009 she chose her life partner, a contestant from Toronto, Canada, Elesh Parujanwala. However, several months later, Sawant announced that the couple had separated due to irreconcilable differences. After separation she said on interview that she got engaged to Elesh Parujanwala for money.
In 2010, Rakhi hosted a talk show Rakhi Ka Insaaf which aired on Imagine TV. The show saw a controversy after the death of a participant after Rakhi had called him impotent. In 2011, she participated in Sony TV's Maa Exchange along with mother Jaya Sawant.
Often appearing in reality shows as a host, judge or participant, Sawant is a regular stage performer. In 2012, she did a comedy act with Shahrukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor at the 57th Filmfare Awards and entry dance performance in 2015 with Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor in Malaysia.
In 2013, she participated in Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki along with Anchal Sabharwal, Sangram Singh, Chetan Hansraj & Madhura Naik. The show aired on Life OK. She later was a contestant on Box Cricket League.
Sawant later played the leading role in thriller film Ek Kahani Julie Ki, and was seen in a cameo appearance in comedy fiction television series Bhaag Bakool Bhaag.
From 2020 to 2021, Sawant appeared as a challenger in Bigg Boss 14. She emerged as a finalist but decided to walk out, opting for the cash prize of 14 lakhs.
Political venture (2014–present)
On 26 March 2014, she announced her plans to contest 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North-West as an Independent Candidate. On 28 March, she founded the Rashtriya Aam Party (RAP). The party has no symbol assigned by the election commission. However, Sawant said that she's expecting[when?] it to be a "green chilli", which she feels resembles her personality. The party's office bearers and fundraisers are local businessmen from Oshiwara.
She received only 15 votes from the Mumbai North-West Constituency and lost her deposit.
Sawant resigned from the Rashtriya Aam Party and joined the RPI (Athavale) party in June 2014 and expressed her desire to work for dalits. Rakhi serves as party's state vice-president and president of the woman wing.
Personal life
Marriage
In November 2018, Sawant announced that she will marry reality television personality and internet-celebrity Deepak Kalal on 31 December 2018. In December, Rakhi Sawant told the media that she has cancelled her marriage with Deepak Kalal, who is engaged to another girl now.
In mid-2019, Sawant married an NRI man named Ritesh.
Family & Struggle
Recently, Rakhi Sawant opened up about from being judged by everyone around to being sidelined by her own family, in fact she wasn't called for her dad's funeral. Also, she has spoken that after her plastic surgery how people have judged her.
Injury
In November 2018, during The Great Khali's Continental Wrestling Entertainment promotion, American female wrestler Rebel got involved in a dance battle against Sawant, during which Rebel grabbed her in inverse position, circulated her, and threw her on her back. It injured Sawant's back and she fell unconscious, and was later carried to a nearby hospital.
Controversy
On 4 April 2017, she was arrested by Punjab police about her remarks on Rishi Valmiki.
Filmography
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Agnichakra |
| 1999 | Dil Ka Sauda |
| Chudail No. 1 | |
| 2000 | Kurukshetra |
| Joru Ka Ghulam | |
| Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain | |
| 2001 | Ehsaas: The Feeling |
| 6 Teens | |
| 2002 | Badmaash No. 1 |
| Gautam Govinda | |
| Na Tum Jaano Na Hum | |
| 2003 | Dum |
| Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne | |
| Om | |
| Bad Boys | |
| 2 October | |
| Patth | |
| 2004 | Gambeeram |
| Paisa Vasool | |
| Masti: Sanam Teri Kasam | |
| Main Hoon Na | |
| Saatchya Aat Gharat | |
| 2005 | Mumbai Xpress |
| Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat | |
| 2007 | Shootout at Lokhandwala |
| Journey Bombay to Goa: Laughter Unlimited | |
| Buddha Mar Gaya | |
| 2008 | Gumnaam – The Mystery |
| Dhoom Dadakka | |
| 2009 | Dil Bole Hadippa! |
| 2010 | Mungilal Rocks |
| 2011 | Mere Brother Ki Dulhan |
| 2015 | Mumbai Can Dance Saala |
| 2016 | Ek Kahani Julie Ki |
| 2019 | Upeksha |
Dance numbers
| Year | Film | Language | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | En Sakhiye | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke | Hindi | "Bam Bhole Bam Bhole" |
| 2003 | Aanch | Hindi | "Hai Re Umariya 16 baras Ki" |
| 2004 | Saatchya Aat Gharat | Marathi | "Hil Pori Hila" |
| Paisa Vasool | Hindi | "Maine Saiyan Ki Demand" | |
| 2005 | Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena | Hindi | "Ankhiya Na Maar Mere Yaar Mundiya" |
| The Powerful Man | Hindi | "Chikna Badan" | |
| 2006 | Hot Money | Hindi | "Daulat Hai Karishma" |
| Malamaal Weekly | Hindi | "Kismat Se Chalti Hai" | |
| 2007 | Geleya | Kannada | "Nanna Stylu Berene" |
| 2008 | Krazzy 4 | Hindi | "Dekhta Hai Tu Kya" |
| 1920 | Hindi | "Jab Das Jaaye Bichua" | |
| Mudrank – The Stamp | Hindi | "Mohabbat Kya Hoti Hain" | |
| 2009 | Muthirai | Tamil | "Night Is Still Young" |
| Drona | Telugu | "Sayya Re Sayya Re" | |
| 2010 | Horn 'Ok' Pleassss | Hindi | "Nathani Utaro" |
| Marega Salaa | Hindi | "Sehra Sehra Tujhpe Dil" | |
| 2011 | Gahraee | Hindi | "Meri Jawani AK47" |
| Loot | Hindi | "Jawani Ki Bank Loot Le" | |
| 2012 | Rakhtbeej | Hindi | "Latto Ghuma Re Chora" |
| Om Shanti | Bengali | "Chonnara Dil Thame Dekhle Rakhi" | |
| Valentine's Night | Hindi | "Gaye Re Gaye Saand Paani Mein" | |
| 2014 | Katta Tanal Dupatta Par | Bhojpuri | "Peela Jawaniya Ke Juice" |
| 2017 | God Father | Odia | "Chuti Kholila Sampu Basiba" |
| 2019 | Sabse Bada Champion | Bhojpuri | "Laga Navratan Tel" |
| 2020 | Article 370 | Hindi |
Music videos
| Year | Song | Album | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Jhoomka Gira Re Remix Sweet Honey Mix | D.J. Hot Remix – Vol 3 | Hindi |
| 2005 | "Pardesiya Yeh Sach Hai Piya Remix" | D.J. Hot Remix – Vol 3 | Hindi |
| 2006 | "Kajra Nite Remix" | Kajra Nite Remix | Hindi |
| 2007 | "Haadsa" | Universal Music | Hindi |
| 2008 | "Tu Dissda" | Club Mix | Hindi |
| 2009 | "Bhoot" | Ishq Bector | Hindi |
| 2010 | "Jhagde" | Ishq Bector | Hindi |
| 2019 | "Chappan Churi" | Hindi | |
| 2021 | "Dream Mein Entry" | Dance Cover | Hindi |
Television
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006−2007 | Bigg Boss 1 | 3rd Runner Up |
| 2007 | Comedy Ka Badsshah — Hasega India | Judge alongside Raju Srivastav |
| Nach Baliye 3 | Participant with Abhishek Avasthi (Runner-up) | |
| 2008 | Yeh Hai Jalwa | Contestant (Winner with her team 'Chiller party') |
| The Rakhi Sawant Showz | Host | |
| Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka | Judge | |
| Jalwa Four 2 Ka 1 | Contestant | |
| 2009 | Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano | Contestant |
| Rakhi Ka Swayamwar | Leading Lady | |
| Pati, Patni Aur Woh | Participant with Elesh Parujanwala | |
| 2010 | Zara Nachke Dikha 2 | Contestant (Winner with her team 'Masakali Girls') |
| Rakhi ka Insaaf | Host | |
| 2011 | Maa Exchange | Participant along with Jaya Sawant |
| Jubilee Comedy Circus | Winner | |
| Bigg Toss | Contestant | |
| Ghazab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaaniyan | Host | |
| 2013 | Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi ki | Weekly contestant |
| Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali | Contestant | |
| 2014 | Box Cricket League - Season 1 | Contestant |
| 2018 | Box Cricket League - Season 3 | Contestant |
| Juzzbaatt - Namkeen Se Sangeen Tak | Guest (along with Arshi Khan) | |
| 2019 | Manmohini | Chakua Chudail |
| Khatra Khatra Khatra | Guest | |
| Box Cricket League - Season 4 | Host | |
| 2020−2021 | Bigg Boss 14 | 4th runner-up (Walked) |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss 15 | Wild Card Entrant (Day 56) |
Other television appearances
- 2003: Carry On Shekhar (SAB TV)
- 2006: Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (Zee TV)
- 2007: Let's Talk... (Zoom TV)
- 2007: Aap Ki Adalat (India TV) (later in 2008 and 2009) (Star Plus)
- 2007: Baa Bahoo Aur Baby (Season 1) (Star Plus)
- 2007: Koffee with Karan (Season 2) (STAR One)
- 2008: Bigg Boss 2 (Colors)
- 2008: 10 Ka Dum (season 1) (Sony TV)
- 2009: Nach Baliye 4 (STAR Plus)
- 2009: Boogie Woogie (Sony TV) (later in 2011)
- 2009: Lux Perfect Bride (STAR Plus)
- 2010: Bigg Boss 4 (Colors)
- 2010: Jubilee Comedy Circus (Sony TV)
- 2011: Comedy Circus 3 Ka Tadka (Sony TV)
- 2011: Ratan Ka Rishta (NDTV Imagine)
- 2011: Sheela, Shagun and Meenakshi (STAR News)
- 2011: Shaadi 3 Crore Ki (NDTV Imagine)
- 2012: Bigg Boss 5 (Colors)
- 2012: All Most Famous (Zoom TV)
- 2012: Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 (Colors)
- 2012: Bigg Boss 6 (Colors)
- 2012: Movers & Shakers Masala Markey (SAB TV)
- 2014: Comedy Nights with Kapil (Colors)
- 2015: Comedy Classes (Life OK)
- 2015: Chidiya Ghar(SAB TV)
- 2016: Comedy Nights Bachao (Colors)
- 2017: Bhaag Bakool Bhaag (Colors) as Twinkle Maa
- 2019: Kanala Khada (Zee Marathi) as Guest
- 2021: Indian Idol 12 (Sony TV) as Guest
- 2021: Bigg Boss OTT (Colors) as Guest
- 2021: Bigg Boss 15 (Colors) as Guest
