Kishwer Merchant Rai (née Merchant; born 3 February 1981[1]) is an Indian television actress and model. Merchant is well known for acting in the shows Hip Hip Hurray, Ek Hasina Thi, Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar, Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal, Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani and Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan. She was a contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss 9 in 2015.[2]
Kishwer Merchant | |
|---|---|
 Merchant in 2017 | |
| Born | 3 February 1981 Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1997–2023 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Life and career
editEarly life and debut show (1981–2009)
editMerchant was born into a Muslim family in Mumbai to Siraj Merchant and Rizwana Merchant. She started her career in 1997 with the TV show Shaktimaan, in which she played Julia, an assistant. She then played Nonie in the popular show Hip Hip Hurray from 1998 to 2000. Kishwar then appeared in many successful popular shows like Babul Ki Duwayen Leti Jaa, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, Kutumb, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kayaamat – Jabb Bhi Waqt Aata Hai, Hatim and Khichdi.
Kishwar appeared in many Balaji shows like Kkavyanjali and Kasamh Se. In 2007, she played the positive role of Tamanna in Sanaya Irani and Arjun Bijlani's popular youth show Miley Jab Hum Tum in 2008. She is very popular for playing Haseena in the popular Sukirti Kandpal and Vivian Dsena series Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani.[3] She also played a role of Sonia in the second season of the hit show – Chhoti Bahu.
Breakthrough and success (2012–2015)
editIn 2012, Merchant was seen in three shows Amrit Manthan, Teri Meri Love Stories and Arjun. Then came many shows like Hongey Judaa Na Hum and Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi. She appeared in the popular shows Ek Hasina Thi as Raima, Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon as Ananya, Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan as Nyonika and Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar as Dimpy, sharing the screen with many popular actresses like Drashti Dhami and Sanjeeda Sheikh.
Bigg Boss and further success (2015–2023)
editMerchant was a participant in the reality TV show Bigg Boss 9 along with her boyfriend Suyyash Rai in 2015.[4][5][6] She was paired with Aman Verma. Merchant, was forced to quit the Ticket to Finale task in its last leg and walked out of the house involuntarily with Rs 15 lakhs.[7][8][9]
In 2016, Kishwar made her comeback with Balaji's popular show Brahmarakshas, playing the main antagonist, Aparajita.[10][11]
In April 2017, Kishwar was seen in yet another Ekta Kapoor's show, Dhhai Kilo Prem, which airs on Star Plus. She played a cameo appearance as Shilpa.[12] In May 2017, she was seen in Rashmi Sharma's Savitri Devi College & Hospital on Colors, but later she quit the show. Kishwar was also playing Asha in And TV's show Gangaa, which stars Aditi Sharma. The show went off air on 2 June 2017.
Personal life
edit
In 2010, Kishwer Merchant started dating actor Suyyash Rai. They got married on 16 December 2016.[13][14] On 2 March 2021 the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.[15][16]
On 27 August 2021, the couple became parents to a boy and named him 'Nirvair'.[17]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Film | Role | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bheja Fry 2 | Spanta Patel | |
| 2019 | Marne Bhi Do Yaaron | Sunny |
Television
edit| Year | Name | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Shaktimaan | Julia | ||
| 1998–2001 | Hip Hip Hurray | Nonie | ||
| 1999 | X Zone | Episodic role | ||
| 1999 | Hello Friends | Episodic role | ||
| 2000–2001 | Babul Ki Duwayen Leti Jaa | Malavika | ||
| 2001–2004 | Ssshhhh...Koi Hai | Various characters | ||
| 2001–2003 | Sarhadein | Pranati | ||
| 2001–2003 | Shikwah | Mehwish | ||
| 2001–2002 | Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand | Sonam | ||
| 2001–2002 | Kutumb | Swati | ||
| 2002 | Kasautii Zindagii Kay | Mitali Sharma | ||
| 2002 | Dhadkan | Dr. Aditi | ||
| 2002–2003 | Kammal | Nisha Jajoo | ||
| 2002–2004 | Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat | Nikki Chauhan | ||
| 2002–2006 | Piya Ka Ghar | Malini | ||
| 2003–2005 | Kayaamat – Jabb Bhi Waqt Aata Hai | Pooja | ||
| 2004 | Hatim | Rubina | ||
| 2004 | Khichdi | Rambha | ||
| Sarabhai vs Sarabhai | Dr. Kiran | |||
| 2005–2006 | Reth | Dr. Dakshi | ||
| 2005 | Rihaee | Tanvi | ||
| Instant Khichdi | Rambha | |||
| 2005–2006 | Kkavyanjali | Vanshita Nanda | ||
| 2006 | Kasamh Se | Seema Shukla | ||
| 2006–2007 | Kaajjal | Amisha Veer Pratapsingh | ||
| 2006–2009 | Kashmakash Zindagi Ki | Mandira | ||
| 2007–2008 | Meri Awaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni | Rama Chopra | ||
| 2008 | Arslaan | Mikawi | ||
| 2008–2009 | Miley Jab Hum Tum | Tamanna "Tam Mam" | ||
| 2009 | C.I.D | Pari | Episode "Khooni Khel" | |
| 2010 | Roshini | Episode "Kissa Gumnaam Bacche Ka" | ||
| 2009–2010 | Namak Haraam | Priya Sehgal | ||
| 2010–2011 | Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani | Haseena Raichand | ||
| 2011 | Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi | Guest | ||
| 2012 | Chhoti Bahu 2 - Sawar Ke Rang Rachi | Sonia Bhardwaj | ||
| Har Yug Mein Aayega Ek – Arjun | Senior Forensic expert | |||
| Teri Meri Love Stories | Meera's friend | [18] | ||
| Amrit Manthan | Mrs. Adhiraj SIngh | |||
| Savdhaan India | Sharmila | "Episode 528" | ||
| Roshni | Episode "580" | |||
| Fear Files: Darr Ki Sacchi Tasvirein | Malini | Episodic role | ||
| 2012–2013 | Best Friends Forever? | Mandira Singh | ||
| 2013 | Hongey Judaa Na Hum | Rama | ||
| Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi | Parminder | |||
| SuperCops vs Supervillains | Tarot Card Reader | |||
| Crazy Stupid Ishq | Jasmin Atwal | |||
| Yeh Hai Aashiqui | Herself | Guest | ||
| 2013–2014 | The Adventures of Hatim | Zelna | ||
| 2014 | Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon | Ananya Kapoor | ||
| Ek Hasina Thi | Raima Maheshwari | |||
| 2014–2015 | Box Cricket League 1 | Contestant | Winner | |
| Akbar Birbal | Urvashi | |||
| 2014–2018 | Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan | Nyonika Malhotra | ||
| 2014–2015 | Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar | Dimpy Karan Kapoor | ||
| 2015–2016 | Bigg Boss 9 | Contestant | Walked on Day 89 (7th place) | |
| 2016 | Box Cricket League 2 | Contestant | Winner | |
| Box Cricket League Punjab | Player in Ambarsariye Hawks | |||
| Desi Explorers | Herself | [19] | ||
| Adaalat 2 | Devika | |||
| Brahmarakshas – Jaag Utha Shaitaan | Aparajita | Cameo | ||
| 2017 | BIG Memsaab | Contestant | ||
| Dhhai Kilo Prem | Shilpa | Cameo | ||
| Savitri Devi College & Hospital | Neeta Malhotra | |||
| Gangaa | Asha | Cameo Role | ||
| Chidiya Ghar | Sheela Kejwani | Cameo | ||
| 2017–2018 | Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double | Aisha Nadkarni | ||
| 2018 | Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya | Arpita Singh Rathore | ||
| Box Cricket League 3 | Contestant | Player in Delhi Dragons | ||
| Laal Ishq | Daisy | Episodic role | ||
| 2019 | Box Cricket League 4 | Contestant | Player in Kolkata Babu | |
| 2019–2020 | Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum | Dr. Nishi Sippy | ||
| 2022 | Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan | Meera Raichand |
Web series
edit| Year | Name | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dear Ishq | Maya Costa | [20] |
References
edit- ^ "Bigg Boss 9 contestants Suyyash, Yuvika, Keith wish Kishwer Merchant Happy Birthday". The Indian Express.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Kishwar Merchant in Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- ^ Staff (18 April 2015). "Kishwer S Merchantt: I can't do mythological shows, their hindi is quite tough". Times Internet. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ^ "Kishwar Merchant in Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- ^ "Kishwar Merchant: My elimination 'unfair, forceful'". Indo-Asian News Service. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Bigg Boss 9 Contestant No 4: Kishwar Merchant, the vamp of television industry". Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ "'Bigg Boss 9':Kishwar Merchant walks out of the show with Rs 15 lakh". Hindustan Times. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Kishwar Merchant: My elimination 'unfair, forceful'". Indo-Asian News Service. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Bigg Boss 9 Contestant No 4: Kishwar Merchant, the vamp of television industry". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ "First look: Kishwer Merchant is set to return to Brahmarakshas". The Times of India. 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Kishwer Merchantt grabs negative role in Ekta Kapoor's new show Brahmarakshas". India Today. 19 July 2016.
- ^ "WOW! Kishwer Merchant is COMING BACK with Star Plus serial". ABP Live. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ "Kishwer Merchant, Suyyash Rai tie the knot: All the photos from their wedding celebration". 16 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Surbhi, Vahbiz, Mandana, Vivian, Krystle and other Telly friends have a gala time at Kishwer-Suyyash's wedding reception!". Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Kishwer Marchent, Sayyush Rai announce first pregnancy with a special post:'Coming in August'". Hindustan Times. 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Kishwer Marchent-Sayyush Rai announce first pregnancy with adorable post, 'Coming this August'". India TV. 2 March 2021.
- ^ "It's a boy Kishwer Marchant and Sayyush Rai introduce baby son with adorable pic". NDTV.
- ^ "Kishwer Merchant in Star Plus' telefilm". The Times of India. 6 July 2012.
- ^ "Surbhi Jyoti, Sara Khan, Sukriti Kandpal don stunning bridal outfits for web based show". The Times of India. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Kishwer Merchantt, who is part of Dear Ishq on Disney+ Hotstar, talks about the show, OTT & more".
External links
edit