'Bigg Boss 20 taught me a lot; now I'm open to exploring other reality shows,' reveals Isha Rikhi

Punjabi actress Isha Rikhi made her debut with Punjabi film Jatt Boys Putt Jattan De in 2013, followed by a couple of movies and videos. She hogged attention for her personal life after announcing her marriage, which was followed by a divorce in the same year with rapper Badshah. She appeared as a contestant in Bigg Boss 20 and made headlines. Isha opened up with Zee News Digital about her Bollywood debut, Bigg Boss journey and Diwali celebrations.

Q. You played Sheetal in Nawabzaade, your Hindi debut. How different was working in Hindi cinema?

A. Nawabzaade will always be special to me because it was my Hindi film debut. Every film teaches you something new, and working with such a lovely team was a wonderful experience. I believe every industry and every project has its own learning process, and I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to explore Hindi cinema as well. It gave me a lot of confidence and helped me grow as an actor.

Q. How has life been post Bigg Boss 20?

A. Life has been quite exciting and overwhelming in a beautiful way. There has been so much love coming my way from people, and I’m genuinely grateful for all the appreciation and support. Bigg Boss has definitely given me a different kind of visibility and connected me with audiences who may not have known me earlier. I’m enjoying this phase, meeting people, working on new opportunities and looking forward to what’s coming next.

Q. Salman Khan encouraged you on stage and supported your choice not to name anyone. What did that moment mean to you?

A. That moment meant a lot to me because I believe everyone has the right to decide when and how much they want to share. I had made a conscious decision not to name anyone or discuss certain things at that point, and I really appreciated that Salman sir respected my choice. It’s not that I will never speak about it. If and when I feel there is a need to talk about it, I will definitely do so, but it will be when I’m ready and comfortable, not because I feel pressured to. I believe it’s important to stand by your decisions, and I’m glad he understood and respected that.

Q. What did you pack, and what did you miss most in the first days?

A. I packed all my essentials, my clothes, makeup, skincare, and most importantly, a photograph of my mother because I wanted to feel her presence with me inside the house and not feel alone. Honestly, I missed my mother the most in those initial days. I missed my family, my personal space and the little things we often take for granted in everyday life.

Q. You called the experience a learning opportunity. What is the biggest lesson?

A. The biggest lesson for me was to always take a stand for yourself. I think that’s extremely important. You can be kind, understanding and respectful towards everyone, but at the same time, you should never forget your own worth or compromise on your self-respect. Bigg Boss taught me that you cannot control how people perceive you, but you can always control how you carry yourself. It was a huge learning experience, both personally and emotionally.

Q. Would you do another reality show?

A. Absolutely! I would definitely be open to exploring another reality show, provided the concept excites me. I think reality shows challenge you in ways that scripted projects don’t. Bigg Boss was a completely different experience for me, and it taught me a lot about myself. I’m always open to new experiences and opportunities that help me grow.

Q. Diwali is around the corner! How do you plan to celebrate the festival this year? Are you someone who enjoys celebrating Diwali with family, traditional rituals, dressing up, and festive food?

A. Diwali is one of my favourite festivals, and for me, it’s all about family, positivity and togetherness. I love getting dressed up, decorating the house, lighting diyas and performing traditional puja. I’m someone who enjoys all the little festive moments, from getting ready to enjoying good food with family. More than anything, I love the warmth and happiness that Diwali brings. I also believe it’s a time to be grateful for everything we have and to pray for happiness, good health and prosperity for everyone.