Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi Sawant (Hindi: राखी सावंत) (born on 25 November^[1] 1978^[2][3]) is an Indian dancer, Hindi film and television actress and television talk show host. She has appeared in many Hindi and few Kannada, Marathi, Telugu and Tamil films in roles commonly referred to as item girls.

Early life

Rakhi was born as Neeru Bheda to Jaya Bheda. Jaya married Anand Sawant,^[4][5] a police constable at Worli Police Station, and gave the children from her first marriage her second husband's name. Rakhi attended Goklibai High School in the Vile Parle suburb of Mumbai and later studied arts at Mithibai College. She is the sister of film director Rakesh Sawant and former actress Usha Sawant.

Career

In 1997, Rakhi made her film debut in Agnnichakr under the name Ruhi Sawant. She went on to other small roles and dance numbers in the low-budget Bollywood films Joru Ka Ghulam, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain and Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke.

 

Rakhi Sawant performing at Nach Baliye 3 in Madhuri Dixit's famous getup.

In 2003, she auditioned for an item number in the Bollywood movie, Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne. She auditioned about four times before being selected for her breakthrough item number, "Mohabbat Hai Mirchi", composed by Himesh Reshammiya. She also bagged a small role in the film for which she gained visibility. After that, Sawant acted in small roles in some more films including Masti and Main Hoon Na

In 2005, she appeared in the music video "Pardesia" of music album D.J. Hot Remix - Vol 3 and gained popularity for her dancing abilities. After this, she featured in music videos of many other music albums and Bollywood item numbers.

Television debut and success (2006–present)

Sawant often draws negative publicity for her attention-seeking behavior and unnatural appearance.

In June 2006, Mika Singh attempted to kiss her at his birthday party, which caused a media controversy.^[6] A few months later, she appeared in the first season of the reality show Bigg Boss and was among the top four finalists.

In 2007, Rakhi made her singing debut in the album Super Girl launched by Venus Records & Tapes Pvt. Ltd. In 2009, Sawant launched the reality show Rakhi Ka Swayamwar in which she planned to select her future husband by the ancient ritual of

Swayamvar. On 2 August 2009 she chose her life partner, a contestant from Toronto, Canada, Elesh Parujanwala. However, several months later, Sawant announced that the couple had separated due to irreconcilable differences.

Continuously appearing in reality shows as a host, judge or participant, Sawant is a regular stage performer. She has performed in many awards ceremonies and television shows. In 2012, she did a comedy act with Shahrukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor at the 57th Filmfare Awards.^[7] In May 2012, she announced that she would be working in the Bengali remake of the film The Dirty Picture.^[8] She married with CA Vivek Barnawal in June 2013

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Language
1997	Agni Chakra		Hindi
1999	Dil Ka Sauda	Rambha	Hindi
2000	Kurukshetra	Geeta	Hindi
2000	Joru Ka Ghulam	Chandni	Hindi
2000	Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain		Hindi
2001	Ehsaas: The Feeling		Hindi
2001	Six Teens		Telugu
2002	Badmaash No. 1		Hindi
2002	Gautam Govinda		Hindi
2002	Na Tum Jaano Na Hum	Disco Shanti	Hindi
2003	Dum		Hindi
2003	Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne	Sheena	Hindi
2003	Om	Celina	Hindi
2003	Bad Boys		Hindi
2003	2nd October		Hindi
2003	Patth		Hindi
2004	Gambeeram		Tamil
2004	Paisa Vasool	Dilkhush	Hindi
2004	Masti: Sanam Teri Kasam	Ms. Saxena	Hindi
2004	Main Hoon Na	Mini	Hindi
2004	Saatchya Aat Gharat		Marathi
2005	Mumbai Xpress		Hindi
2005	Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat	Kashmira	Hindi
2007	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Pooja Bedi	Hindi
2007	Journey Bombay to Goa: Laughter Unlimited	Deepa Kutti	Hindi
2007	Buddha Mar Gaya	Kim / Vishkanya	Hindi
2008	Gumnaam – The Mystery	Ria's friend	Hindi
2008	Dhoom Dadakka	Rambha	Hindi
2009	Dil Bole Hadippa!	Shanno Amritsari	Hindi
2010	Mungilal Rocks		Hindi

Item numbers

Year	Film	Language	Song
2001	Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke	Hindi	"Bam Bhole Bam Bhole"
2003	Aanch	Hindi	"Hai Re Umariya 16 baras Ki"
2004	"Satchya aat gharat	Marathi	"Hil pori hila"
2005	Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena	Hindi	"Ankhiya Na Maar Mere Yaar Mundiya"
2005	The Powerful Man	Hindi	"Chikna Badan"
2006	Hot Money	Hindi	"Daulat Hai Karishma"
2006	Malamaal Weekly	Hindi	"Kismat Se Chalti Hai"
2007	Geleya	Kannada	"Nanna Stylu Berene"
2008	Krazzy 4	Hindi	"Dekhta Hai Tu Kya"
2008	1920	Hindi	"Jab Das Jaaye Bichua"
2008	Mudrank – The Stamp	Hindi	"Mohabbat Kya Hoti Hain"
2009	Muthirai	Tamil	"Night Is Still Young"
2009	Drona	Telugu	"Sayya Re Sayya Re"
2010	Horn Ok Please	Hindi	"Pom Pom"
2010	Marega Salaa	Hindi	"Sehra Sehra Tujhpe Dil"
2011	Gahraee	Hindi	"Meri Jawani AK47"
2011	Loot	Hindi	"Jawani Ki Bank Loot Le"
2012	Rakhtbeej	Hindi	"Latto Ghuma Re Chora"
2012	Om Shanti	Bengali	"Chonnara Dil Thame Dekhle Rakhi"
2012	Valentine's Night	Hindi	"Gaye Re Gaye Saand Paani Mein"

Music videos

Year	Song	Album	Language	Notes
2005	"Pardesiya Yeh Sach Hai Piya Remix"	D.J. Hot Remix - Vol 3	Hindi
2006	"Kajra Nite Remix"	Kajra Nite Remix	Hindi
2007	"Haadsa"	Universal Music	Hindi
2008	"Tu Dissda"	Club Mix	Hindi
2009	"Bhoot"	Ishq Bector	Hindi
2010	"Jhagde"	Ishq Bector	Hindi

Television

Year	Title	Network	Notes
2006	Bigg Boss 1	Sony TV	Contestant
2007	Comedy Ka Badsshah — Hasega India	Sony TV	Judge alongside Raju Srivastav
2007	Nach Baliye 3	Star Plus	Participant with Abhishek Avasthi (Runner-up)
2008	Yeh Hai Jalwa	9X	Contestant (Winner with her team 'Chiller party')
2008	The Rakhi Sawant Showz	Zoom TV	Host
2008	Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka	Zee TV	Judge
2008	Jalwa Four 2 Ka 1	9X	Contestant
2009	Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano	Star Plus	Contestant
2009	Rakhi Ka Swayamwar	Imagine TV	Leading Lady
2009	Pati, Patni Aur Woh	Imagine TV	Participant with Elesh Parujanwala
2010	Zara Nachke Dikha (Season 2)	Star Plus	Contestant (Winner with her team 'Masakali Girls')
2010	Rakhi ka Insaaf	Imagine TV	Host
2011	Maa Exchange	Sony TV	Participant along with Jaya Sawant
2011	Bigg Toss	India TV	Contestant
2011	Ghazab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaaniyan	Imagine TV	Host
2013	Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi ki	Life OK	Weekly contestant
2013	Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali	Sony TV	Contestant[9]

Other television appearances

• 2003: Carry On Shekhar^[10] (SAB TV)
• 2006: Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (Zee TV)
• 2007: Let's Talk... (Zoom TV), Aap Ki Adalat (India TV) (later in 2008 and 2009), Baa Bahoo Aur Baby (Season 1) (STAR Plus), Koffee with Karan (Season 2) (STAR One)
• 2008: Bigg Boss 2 (Colors), 10 Ka Dum (Sony TV)
• 2009: Nach Baliye 4 (STAR Plus), Boogie Woogie (Sony TV) (later in 2011), Lux Perfect Bride (STAR Plus)
• 2010: Bigg Boss 4 (Colors), Jubilee Comedy Circus (Sony TV)
• 2011: Comedy Circus 3 Ka Tadka (Sony TV), Ratan Ka Rishta (NDTV Imagine), Sheela, Shagun and Meenakshi (STAR News), Shaadi 3 Crore Ki (NDTV Imagine)
• 2012: Bigg Boss 5 (Colors), All Most Famous (Zoom TV), Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5^[11] (Colors), Bigg Boss 6 (Colors), Movers & Shakers Masala Markey^[12] (SAB TV)