Bigg Boss 20 contestant Rhiti Tiwari’s on-show remarks about financial struggles have triggered a fresh controversy outside the house. Punjabi singer Ekam Bawa, who identifies himself as the former partner of Rhiti’s mother, has publicly questioned her claim of receiving a monthly allowance of ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 from her father, actor-politician Manoj Tiwari. In a video circulating on social media, Ekam alleged that Rhiti’s actual lifestyle contradicts what she has portrayed on the reality show, pointing to luxury cars, costly handbags, properties and a sports business linked to her. These allegations have not been independently verified.
During her stint on Bigg Boss 20, Rhiti had told fellow contestants that her father gives her a limited monthly allowance and that she has often had to manage with very little money. She recalled instances of surviving on two ₹10 vada pavs a day and putting only ₹500 worth of diesel in her car when required, painting a picture of financial constraint despite her family background.
Ekam, however, contested this narrative in his video. He claimed Rhiti owns handbags worth ₹4-5 lakh and possesses luxury vehicles, including a Range Rover, whose maintenance alone reportedly costs ₹2.5-3 lakh. He questioned how someone with such expenses could claim to survive on ₹25,000 a month. He further alleged that Rhiti owns a sports company with a substantial turnover, reportedly linked to well-known cricketers, and asked where the income from this business goes. He also raised questions about expensive flats owned by the family in Mumbai, suggesting the source of funds for such properties did not match her stated modest income.
Beyond financial claims, Ekam spoke about his personal connection with the family, stating he lived with Rhiti’s mother, Rani Tiwari, and Rhiti in the same flat from 2020 to 2025. He said he and Rani were in a live-in relationship from 2020 to 2022 before marrying on February 18, 2022, and claimed Rhiti was aware of this relationship. He shared photographs of himself with Rani and Rhiti to support his claims.
Ekam also addressed Rhiti’s recent altercation with fellow contestant Qazi Touqeer on the show, which occurred after Qazi staged a fake medical emergency that he later admitted was a prank. Rhiti had reacted strongly, calling Qazi a “fraudster” and “dhongi baba,” with the exchange escalating into abusive remarks involving family members. Ekam expressed disapproval of Rhiti’s language, saying he felt angry watching her hurl abuses at Qazi involving his mother and sister, and urged her to be mindful of her conduct given the show’s national audience. He also made broader remarks about his experience with the family, stating he disliked dishonesty and hoped no one else would go through what he had experienced.
Rhiti, for her part, has previously spoken on the show about a difficult childhood following her parents’ divorce, stating she rarely saw her father while growing up and that he had told her early on he would not support her career.
Source: Hindustan Times
