Kishwer Merchant

Kishwer Merchant Rai (née Merchant; born 3 February 1981 ) 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.

Early life and debut show (1981–2009)
Merchant was born into an Ismaili (Khoja) 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. She also played a role of Sonia in the second season of the hit show – Chhoti Bahu.

Breakthrough and success (2012–2015)
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)
Merchant was a participant in the reality TV show Bigg Boss 9 along with her boyfriend Suyyash Rai in 2015. 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.

In 2016, Kishwar made her comeback with Balaji's popular show Brahmarakshas, playing the main antagonist, Aparajita.

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. 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
In 2010, Kishwer Merchant started dating actor Suyyash Rai. They got married on 16 December 2016. On 2 March 2021 the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.

On 27 August 2021, the couple became parents to a boy and named him 'Nirvair'.