Actress Isha Rikhi is stepping into a completely new chapter with Bigg Boss 20, hosted by Salman Khan. Known for keeping her personal life away from the constant glare of the spotlight, Isha is now choosing to let audiences see the person behind the actress. Ahead of entering the reality show, she spoke candidly about why she decided to take the plunge, how her outlook on life has changed and why she no longer wants to guard every part of herself from public scrutiny.
For Isha, entering the Bigg Boss house was never a decision she had imagined making. The actress admitted that she had always been a private person and was aware of the intense environment inside the reality show. However, experiences over the years have changed the way she looks at herself and her own strength. Speaking about whether Bigg Boss had ever been on her mind, Isha said, “No, I never imagined I would go on the Bigg Boss show. I’ve always been a rather private person, and I knew what goes on there. I used to wonder if I was strong enough to handle it. But now, I feel I can do it—of course.”
That newfound confidence, however, did not come overnight. Isha explained that she never considered herself weak; rather, she believes certain experiences are necessary to truly understand one's own strength. Looking back at her career and personal journey, she realised that she had spent years believing she needed to behave in a particular way because she was an actress. Today, she feels much more comfortable embracing her own personality and expressing her thoughts without constantly worrying about how they will be perceived. She explained, “No, it’s not that I wasn't strong enough. Sometimes, you only discover your own strength—and learn about yourself and life—after experiencing certain situations. Throughout my career and the time I’ve spent in this industry, I used to think I wasn't that kind of person, or that I had to behave in a certain way. But gradually, I realized that you just have to be yourself and be open about your thoughts and your perspective on things. I feel that if you are confident in that, it doesn't matter where you go.”
Her decision to join Bigg Boss was also far from impulsive. Isha revealed that she thought about the offer carefully before deciding to accept it. What ultimately convinced her was a desire to break away from the mindset that had previously stopped her from experiencing certain things. More importantly, she wants viewers to meet Isha Rikhi, rather than form an opinion based on somebody else’s perspective of her. She said, “It wasn't an instant decision, but yes, I gave it a lot of thought. I wasn't entirely sure at first, but then I decided to go ahead with it. I wanted to break free from the mindset that held me back—the reasons I thought I shouldn't do certain things, or the way I used to guard my personal life so fiercely. Now, I feel that things should just be out there as they are. I want people to know the real me, not just know me through someone else's perspective. So, this gives people a chance to get to know me, and I get to learn more about myself too. I’m open to it now.”
Privacy has always been particularly important to Isha, and she admits that balancing that instinct with the demands of being an actor has not been easy. While social media has become an important bridge between artists and their audiences, Isha says she has always been most comfortable in front of the camera when she is actually working. Once the shoot ends, she prefers returning to her normal life with friends and family. She explained, “I think it varies from person to person. For me, it was very difficult because of the kind of person I am. I’m comfortable with the camera only while I’m working; once the work is done, I just want to be myself—the way I am at home or when I’m with friends. Even after becoming an actress, I never wanted to feel like I had to act like one or behave a certain way just because of the profession. I felt like, ‘I’m just a normal girl, and I don’t want to lose that.’ I wanted to hold onto that identity. So, viewing things that way was a real challenge for me, but I think I’ve managed to do it now. You see, this can impact your work in a way, because you might not engage with the audience as effectively. I’ve heard—and many artists have said—that follower counts are often checked when casting for projects. Then, every little detail comes under scrutiny. Right.”
Isha also acknowledged that maintaining such a private identity can have professional consequences in today's entertainment industry. She has experienced the pressure herself, particularly in an era when social media following and public visibility can sometimes become part of conversations around casting. But instead of changing herself to fit the industry's expectations, she chose to follow her instincts. “Of course, I’ve faced these things because I’ve been part of this industry for so many years. But I feel that with time, you come to understand things differently. When you’re just starting your career, you get suggestions from so many people. You listen to some, ignore others, and rely heavily on your instincts. I’ve largely followed my gut feeling and instincts throughout my career. Back then, I wasn't interested in running any sort of race, so a lot of things didn't really matter to me. But over time, I realized how important it is to have clear priorities—knowing where you want to take things in life and where you see yourself. I think once your priorities are set, you work in that specific direction. My priorities weren't like that before, but they are different now. So... let's see.”
Isha's journey to Bigg Boss comes after more than a decade in the entertainment industry. She made her screen debut with the Punjabi film Jatt Boys Putt Jattan De in 2013 and subsequently appeared in films including Happy Go Lucky, Bade Changay Ne Mere Yaar Kaminey, What the Jatt and Ardaas. She made her Hindi film debut with Nawabzaade in 2018. Now, as she enters the Bigg Boss house, Isha is not simply taking on another television assignment; she is deliberately stepping outside the carefully protected space she created for herself.
Bigg Boss thrives on putting people in situations where their public image and private personality can collide, making Isha’s decision particularly intriguing. After years of choosing privacy, she is now ready to be seen without the filter of a character, a film role or somebody else’s narrative. Whether the house brings out the fiercely competitive side of the actress, the private girl she has always protected or an entirely new version of Isha Rikhi remains to be seen. But one thing is clear from her words: this time, she is entering the Bigg Boss house on her own terms.