The 27-year-old model and actor who became the face of the NEET paper leak protests in Mumbai is now at the center of a different kind of debate. Rhiya Ahir, who shot to fame after a video showed her standing in front of a police van carrying detained protesters, has been accused of orchestrating the entire incident to secure a spot on Salman Khan‘s reality show Bigg Boss 20.
Rhiya has now spoken out, firmly denying these claims. She explains that the moment was never planned and that the physical and emotional toll it took on her proves otherwise. Her journey from a protest site to the brink of entering one of India’s biggest reality shows has divided public opinion. Many are questioning whether her viral act was a genuine stand or a calculated move for fame.
Rhiya Ahir Denies Planning the Police Van Protest
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Rhiya addressed the allegations head-on. She pointed to the severe physical and mental distress she suffered after the incident as evidence that it was not a stunt. She shared that for the first five days after the video went viral, she could not sleep. She suffered from insomnia, had dry nostrils and blood clots, and felt nauseous every morning. “It was a shock for my nervous system,” she said.
Rhiya questioned the logic behind the accusations, stating that if she had planned the entire episode for publicity, she would have done it a long time ago. She recalled scrolling through her phone on holiday when she first saw comments accusing her of orchestrating the protest. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, what has happened?’ And then they were like, ‘She has only done the whole thing for publicity.’ I was like, ‘Oh, people are this jobless in life. What is wrong with them?’”.
Speaking to Times Now, she further explained that if it were a scripted move, she would have dressed differently. “Agar mujhe jana hi tha aur scripted tha, then why would I go in a hood? Doesn’t make sense,” she said, referring to her simple grey hoodie in the viral video. She also mentioned that her father told her that no amount of money could have engineered what happened that day.
The Backlash and Trolls Over Her Bigg Boss 20 Entry
Following the reports of her potential entry into Bigg Boss 20, social media users began accusing her of using the protest as a stepping stone. She faced heavy trolling and online hate. In response to the criticism, Rhiya took to Instagram to share a fan’s comment that she felt best summarized her stance. The comment pointed out that she is not a professional activist but an actor, model, and entrepreneur who has to earn her living.
Rhiya agreed with this view, stating that she has not earned a single penny from the protest video that went viral. She emphasized that she has done theatre for 13 years and is an artist who also needs to build her career. She addressed the criticism in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, saying, “With all the hate that is coming through, people are again in two minds ki yeh to fame ke liye kiya tha, ye aisi nahi hai (she is doing it for fame). Don’t listen to what I am saying, don’t listen to what someone else is trying to narrate about me. See for yourself. I am kind of entertaining, and I want to show that side to people”.
Her Decision to Join Bigg Boss 20
Interestingly, Rhiya revealed that she was initially hesitant about joining Bigg Boss 20. She had watched the show since childhood and was curious about the experience, but she felt a sense of responsibility toward the young girls who looked up to her. She discussed the offer with her father, who encouraged her to talk to the channel and learn more.
The makers of the show told her that no one would force her to fight or get angry. They explained that they would put her in situations where her limits would be tested, but how she reacts is entirely up to her. This conversation helped her make up her mind. “I love challenges,” she said. She also told India Today that the show offers her a chance to let viewers judge her beyond the viral protest and online claims. She wants to prove a point about Gen Z, challenging the image of her generation as lazy or entitled.
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Who Is Rhiya Ahir?
Rhiya Ahir is a 27-year-old Mumbai-based model, actor, and entrepreneur. She gained nationwide attention in July 2026 after a video showed her standing with her arms outstretched in front of a Mumbai Police van carrying detained student protesters at Shivaji Park. The protests were led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Before her viral moment, Rhiya had been modelling for six years and had performed in more than 100 shows. She has a strong presence on social media with over 328,000 followers on Instagram. She has appeared in music videos, including the song Dilbara, and also runs her own luxury handcrafted apparel label called Rhiyasat.
The Fans Ka Faisla Segment
Rhiya Ahir is currently competing with Punjabi actor-model Love Gill for a spot on Bigg Boss 20 through a segment called ‘Fans Ka Faisla’. The show’s host, Salman Khan, introduced this concept in a promotional video, giving viewers the power to decide who gets to enter the house. Voting was open exclusively on the JioHotstar app and closed on September 2 at 11:59 PM.
The winner of the fan vote will secure a place on the show. Bigg Boss 20 is scheduled to premiere on September 6 on JioHotstar and Colors TV. The final contestant list has not been fully confirmed, but reports suggest that TV stars such as Nia Sharma, Nitish Rajput, Karan Patel, and Arjun Bijlani may also be part of the show.
Also Read: Nitish Rajput: The YouTuber Banned in Pakistan Who Might Enter Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss 20
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