Bigg Boss 20: Who is Riya Ahir? Viral girl who stopped Mumbai police van during CJP protest to enter show

Salman Khan's popular reality show Bigg Boss 20 is all set to premiere on September 6. As the countdown begins, fans are keen to know which celebrities and personalities will be part of the new season. One name that has been making headlines is Riya Ahir, who shot to fame after a video from the CJP-led student protest went viral on social media. She is now among the names being discussed in connection with the upcoming reality show.

The makers have introduced a new twist this season with Fans Ka Faisla, giving viewers a say in deciding who gets an opportunity to enter the Bigg Boss house. Riya is reportedly among the potential contestants in this process. While her participation is yet to be confirmed as a regular contestant, her name has already generated considerable curiosity among viewers.

Who is Riya Ahir?

Riya Ahir, also known as Rhiya Ekousiya, is a 27-year-old Mumbai-based model, actor, anchor and entrepreneur. She came into the spotlight in July 2026 after a video showing her standing in front of a Mumbai Police van carrying detained student protesters circulated widely online.


The incident took place during the CJP-led student protest and quickly turned Riya into one of the recognisable faces associated with the demonstrations. Her sudden rise in public attention has now brought her into the spotlight for an entirely different reason, her reported association with Bigg Boss 20.

Away from the protests, Riya has been building a career in the entertainment and fashion industries. According to Times Of India, she initially enrolled in a Psychology course at Sathaye College in Mumbai. However, she eventually moved away from the course after receiving opportunities in modelling and acting.



Riya is currently pursuing an English Literature degree through distance education from the University of Mumbai. She has also undergone around 13 years of formal theatre training, which has helped her develop experience in acting, anchoring and performance.

Her professional work includes appearances in advertisements, dance projects and independent music videos. Among her recent projects is the music video Dilbara, which was released in early 2025.

Riya is also an entrepreneur. She founded Rhiyasat, a luxury handcrafted apparel label that works with Indian artisans and focuses on locally crafted clothing. Through the brand, she has combined her interest in fashion with an effort to promote traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Riya Ahir on joining Bigg Boss 20 amid backlash

Riya's reported association with Bigg Boss 20 has not been without criticism. Following her name being linked to the show, some people on social media questioned her decision and alleged that her role in the CJP-led protest was intended to generate publicity.

Speaking to SCREEN, Riya addressed the criticism and opened up about her decision to consider the Bigg Boss opportunity. She revealed that she was initially hesitant about joining the show because of the perception surrounding it and the responsibility she felt after becoming associated with the protest.

According to Riya, she was particularly conscious of the fact that young people were now looking up to her. She said she did not want to disappoint them or influence them negatively, which made her think carefully before accepting the opportunity.

Riya also revealed, "I spoke to my dad, and he was like, there’s no harm in talking to the channel, or to the production. So, we had a meeting. And one thing they told me, which probably is still stuck with me and helped me make my decision, was that, ‘Nobody’s forcing you to abuse. Nobody’s forcing you to yell. How you react is up to you,’" Rhiya added.


"If I get the opportunity, I am very happy, and when people say that, she did this for fame. Why don’t you do it then? Who’s stopping you? They want me because I am a person who calls a spade a spade. What is wrong is wrong. What is right is right. Now or never. So whatever they keep saying, I think some people genuinely want to know. I haven’t earned a single penny, nor have I ever asked for a single penny from anyone. But this is Bigg Boss. This is my job. At the same time, this is my way of telling people: ‘Don’t believe any narrative. Believe what you see.’"

Meanwhile, Bigg Boss 20 will premiere on September 6, with Salman Khan returning as host. The grand premiere is scheduled to stream on JioHotstar at 9 pm and air on Colors TV at 10:30 pm.

For Riya, September 6 could be an important day. Stay tuned!