Riya Ahir Wiki & Biography: Riya Ahir, also known as Rhiya Ahir, is a Mumbai-based actress, model, host and entrepreneur. She gained widespread attention in July 2026 after a video of her standing in front of a Mumbai Police van during protests over the NEET paper leak went viral. In 2026, she entered Bigg Boss 20 as a contestant.
| Name | Rajkumar Rhiya Yadav |
|---|---|
| Nick Name | Riya |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Famous For | Model |
| Date Of Birth | 27 December 1998 |
| Age | 27 |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Caste | NA |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| School | NA |
| College/ University | Sathaye College, Mumbai |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Address | Mumbai |
| Hobbies | Travelling |
| Movies, TV Shows | NA |
| Height (approx.) | 5 feet 7 inches |
| Weight (approx.) | 69 |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Light Brown |
| Awards/ Honours | NA |
| Martial Status | Unmarried |
| Parents | Father: NA Mother: NA |
Riya Ahir Biography
Riya Ahir Early Life and Education
Riya Ahir was born on 27 December 1998 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and was raised in Mumbai. Although she was born and brought up in Mumbai, her family has roots in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
She comes from a defence family. Her father served in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), while other members of her family have also served in the armed forces. She has one sister.
Riya developed an interest in performing from a young age and underwent theatre training for nearly 13 years, which helped her develop confidence and stage presence.
Riya completed her early education in Mumbai and studied Psychology at Sathaye College. However, she could not complete the course because of her professional commitments.
She later began pursuing a degree in English Literature from Mumbai University through distance education. According to the supplied source, she was pursuing the degree as of July 2026.
Riya Ahir Career
Riya Ahir has worked as an actress and model in the Indian entertainment industry. Her long-term theatre training helped her develop her skills as a performer.
Over the years, she has worked across modelling, acting and entertainment projects. She has also appeared in music videos and advertisements.
Apart from acting and modelling, Riya has worked as an event host. Her experience in theatre and public appearances helped her build a career involving live events and entertainment.
She has also featured in music videos, including Dilbara in 2025.
In 2025, Riya launched her luxury clothing brand, Rhiyasat. The brand aims to connect local artisans with buyers.
According to the supplied source, the idea behind the venture was inspired by the controversy surrounding Prada’s Kolhapuri chappal design. Riya viewed the incident as an opportunity to promote local craftsmanship and artisans.
Riya Ahir came into the spotlight in July 2026 after a video of her during a protest in Mumbai went viral.
During protests concerning the NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities, a Mumbai Police van carrying detained students was passing through the Shivaji Park area of Dadar. Riya was seen walking alongside the vehicle and questioning the police about the legal grounds for the detentions.
When she did not receive a satisfactory response, she stood directly in front of the police van and refused to move.
According to the supplied source, Riya remained in front of the vehicle for around 40 minutes. The detained protesters were subsequently released at Shivaji Park, after which other protesters also joined her.
Videos and photographs of the incident spread widely across social media, making Riya one of the recognizable faces of the Mumbai protest.
Following the incident, Riya said that she had not expected to become the face of the protest. She explained that she acted instinctively after seeing detained protesters, including women, being taken away.
She also connected her participation in the protest to her own experiences with the Indian education system. As she was pursuing her English Literature degree through distance education at Mumbai University, she said that difficulties in receiving an adequate response from the university had influenced her decision to participate.
The incident significantly increased her public visibility and brought attention to her background as an actress, model, host and entrepreneur.
In 2026, Riya Ahir entered Bigg Boss 20 as a contestant. Her participation in the reality show marks another major phase of her public career following her work in entertainment and her viral appearance during the Mumbai education protests.
Her entry into the show has also brought renewed attention to the journey that took her from theatre and modelling to entrepreneurship and public activism.