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 (1981-02-03) 3 February 1981 (age 43)
NationalityIndian
Occupations
Years active1997–2023
Spouse
(m. 2016)
Children1

Life and career

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Early life and debut show (1981–2009)

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Merchant 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)

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In 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)

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Merchant 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

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with her husband Suyyash at an event 2016

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

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Films

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Year Film Role Ref
2011 Bheja Fry 2 Spanta Patel
2019 Marne Bhi Do Yaaron Sunny

Television

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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

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Year Name Role Notes Ref(s)
2023 Dear Ishq Maya Costa [20]

References

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  1. ^ "Bigg Boss 9 contestants Suyyash, Yuvika, Keith wish Kishwer Merchant Happy Birthday". The Indian Express.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Kishwar Merchant in Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  3. ^ Staff (18 April 2015). "Kishwer S Merchantt: I can't do mythological shows, their hindi is quite tough". Times Internet. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Kishwar Merchant in Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Kishwar Merchant: My elimination 'unfair, forceful'". Indo-Asian News Service. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Bigg Boss 9 Contestant No 4: Kishwar Merchant, the vamp of television industry". Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  7. ^ "'Bigg Boss 9':Kishwar Merchant walks out of the show with Rs 15 lakh". Hindustan Times. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Kishwar Merchant: My elimination 'unfair, forceful'". Indo-Asian News Service. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  9. ^ "Bigg Boss 9 Contestant No 4: Kishwar Merchant, the vamp of television industry". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  10. ^ "First look: Kishwer Merchant is set to return to Brahmarakshas". The Times of India. 30 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Kishwer Merchantt grabs negative role in Ekta Kapoor's new show Brahmarakshas". India Today. 19 July 2016.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Kishwer Merchant, Suyyash Rai tie the knot: All the photos from their wedding celebration". 16 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "Kishwer Marchent, Sayyush Rai announce first pregnancy with a special post:'Coming in August'". Hindustan Times. 2 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Kishwer Marchent-Sayyush Rai announce first pregnancy with adorable post, 'Coming this August'". India TV. 2 March 2021.
  17. ^ "It's a boy Kishwer Marchant and Sayyush Rai introduce baby son with adorable pic". NDTV.
  18. ^ "Kishwer Merchant in Star Plus' telefilm". The Times of India. 6 July 2012.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Kishwer Merchantt, who is part of Dear Ishq on Disney+ Hotstar, talks about the show, OTT & more".
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