Later, reports suggested that the actor was set to enter Bigg Boss 20, prompting social media users to allege that the viral van episode had been a planned stunt to get herself noticed and eventually land a spot on the reality show. Model-actor Rhiya Ahir never imagined that a moment during a protest against NEET paper leak would become one of the most defining chapters of her career. After a video of her standing in front of a police van during the protest went viral, Rhiya suddenly found herself at the centre of public attention. Speaking to us, Rhiya denies the claims.
What is wrong with them?’” Interestingly, Rhiya herself was initially unsure about being a part of Bigg Boss 20. Because little girls look up to me, but initially, I was like, this is not for me. That this was also scripted? Come on, make it make sense. “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. Having watched the show since childhood, she was curious about what the experience would be like, but also wondered whether it was the right decision for her. “We’ve seen Bigg Boss since childhood. I have always thought, if I go, how will I be inside? I felt responsible towards them,” shares Rhiya. It was a conversation with her father that eventually made her reconsider. “I spoke to my dad and he was like, ‘Let’s talk to the channel. There’s no harm in it. Just know what’s happening. Nobody is going to force me to fight or be angry. They will put me in situations where my limits will be tested. But I love challenges.”
Questioning the theory that the entire episode had been orchestrated, she says, “Will people say that I planned the aftermath too? I had told my body that I will stop the van, and I will send the police there. Recalling when she first saw reports of her participation in Bigg Boss circulating on social media, Rhiya says she was on holiday and scrolling through her phone when she came across comments accusing her of orchestrating the protest episode for publicity. They told me how I react is up to me.
