Rhiya Ahir to Enter Bigg Boss 20, Says ‘My Only Strategy Is to Remain Myself’

Talks on Her Family, Politics, Social Responsibility and Finding Strength in Difficult Times and Her Entry into Bigg Boss 20.

Excerpts from the interview:

Before we begin, Rhiya, could you tell us about yourself? You have also faced trolling. How difficult was that part of your journey after you stopped the police van during the students’ protest?

Every negative comment affects you. Some comments hurt more than others. Initially, people started saying things like, “She stopped an empty van,” “There was no driver,” and “The entire incident was scripted.” Honestly, I found that quite strange. I am a model by profession and have been involved in theatre for almost 13 years.

If I wanted to create something scripted, I certainly wouldn't randomly wear a hoodie and stand in front of a vehicle! I know how to present myself and I understand performance. But over time, I have realised that people will always have opinions. You cannot allow faceless negativity to define who you are.

You started theatre at a very young age. How did your journey begin?

I joined Ekjut Theatre Group when I was around four and a half years old. I performed on stage at Prithvi Theatre when I was very young, and since then, I have never looked back. I think I always knew what I wanted to do. From childhood, I knew that I wanted to remain true to myself, keep my moral compass intact, and continue doing what I believe in.

I have also performed at the Wagah–Attari border and was honoured there. One of the plays I performed was Operation Cloudburst, which was a powerful story about a woman and her young daughter from Assam and the difficult circumstances surrounding their lives. Theatre has played a major role in shaping me as a person.

People often criticise Gen Z, but you seem to have a very different perspective. What are your thoughts on your generation?

I actually love this generation. People often say that Gen Z is too emotional or too sensitive, but I would say that we are emotionally active. We feel things deeply, but we also try to channel those emotions into something meaningful. We want to contribute, create, innovate and make a difference. That's why you see so many young people starting businesses, creating startups and supporting each other.

When I stood in front of that vehicle, I wasn't personally connected to anyone inside. I didn't know the people involved. I was simply trying to make a difference because I believe we have a responsibility towards one another. That is civic responsibility. If everyone only thinks about themselves, society cannot grow. Real progress happens when everyone grows together.

You have spoken about the government and the importance of questioning the system. Do you believe that criticism can also come from a sense of patriotism?

Absolutely. We have to give credit where it is due. There are positive developments that deserve appreciation, including improvements in connectivity and opportunities. But at the same time, questioning the government or criticising the system does not mean that you hate the country or are targeting a particular individual or political party. Governments change, but citizens will always question the system when they feel something is not working. The government is accountable to the people. As citizens, we have every right to say that something needs improvement.

Criticism is not always hatred. Think about parents—they criticise their children because they want them to become better. In the same way, when citizens point out problems, it is often because they want their country to improve. We criticise because we care. We know the potential of our country, and we want to see it grow.

What does patriotism mean to you?

Patriotism, for me, is love for your country and its people. It is not about believing that you are superior to anyone else. It is about wanting your country and your fellow citizens to grow. When the government does something good, we should appreciate it. When someone around us succeeds, we should encourage them. For me, patriotism is about love, consideration and encouragement. It is about genuinely wanting to see a smile on everyone's face.

There has been a lot of discussion about your possible entry into Bigg Boss 20. Are you preparing for it?

Whether I enter or not will ultimately depend on the support and decision of my fans, whom I prefer to call my family. The love and support I have received have been incredible. People message me early in the morning saying they have woken up and voted for me. Seeing different communities come together to support me has been truly beautiful. If I do enter the house, I don't really have a strategy. My only strategy would be to remain myself.

Bigg Boss can be an emotionally intense experience. Do you think you are prepared for that environment?

Honestly, I have not thought about it. When you are constantly being judged or trolled, questions naturally come into your mind. You wonder whether you will be able to handle the pressure or whether you will eventually give in to it. Recently, I heard something that really stayed with me: “Have faith in your beauty.”

That message resonated deeply with me. It reminded me that I have to believe in myself and remain true to who I am. Even during difficult situations in the public eye, I have tried to maintain my grace, integrity and composure. I believe that is something I would try to carry with me wherever I go.

If given an opportunity, would you consider entering politics?

For me, politics is a powerful way to participate in democracy and bring about change. Being a part of the process that shapes the country is something beautiful and meaningful. In fact, for the last two years, I have been telling my friends that I would like to enter politics one day.

Would you consider joining a particular political party, such as the BJP, Congress or another party?

Every political party has its own strengths and weaknesses. I don't think I have reached a point where I can say which particular party I would join. Maybe time will tell. Maybe I will join a political party, or maybe I will remain independent. But my intention will always remain the same—to do something that genuinely takes my country forward. We all recognise the potential of India.

We all want to contribute to the country's growth and development. For me, “Viksit Bharat” should be about the people as much as it is about policies and schemes. My political preference is simple: whatever genuinely serves the nation and brings people together to move forward is what I would support.

What would you like to say to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the issues that have emerged from these protests?

I believe that the focus should be on the people who have suffered. We should be talking about the students who are no longer with us, the students who have faced violence, and women who have faced harassment. My concern is that public debates often focus on controversy and personal attacks, while serious issues affecting ordinary citizens—particularly women—do not always receive the same attention.

Why are women protesters being singled out? Why are their bodies being criticised? Why are they being morally judged because they raised their voices? A woman's profession, appearance or clothing should not determine whether she has the right to speak for her country. If someone is a model, it does not mean she cannot have an opinion about society or the country. We need to become more accepting and ensure that women are not targeted simply because they speak up. All we are asking for is accountability and for institutions to do their jobs responsibly.

Finally, what is the one message you would like to give young people?

Have faith in yourself. Stay true to your values and your identity. People will have opinions, people will criticise you, and there will always be challenges. But don't allow other people's voices to become louder than your own. If you genuinely want to do something, work towards it. You may have multiple dreams—and that's okay.