Ronny14Z58 at 23:38, 7 February 2026

2026-02-07T23:38:58Z

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{{short description|Indian television actress}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kishwer Merchant
| image = Kishwer Merchant graces Pre Diwali bash at The Stadium Bar.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Merchant in 2017
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1981|02|3}}
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Actress]]| [[Model (person)|model]]}}
| years_active = 1997–2023
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Suyyash Rai]]|2016}}
| children=1
}}
'''Kishwer Merchant Rai''' ([[née]] '''Merchant'''; born 3 February 1981<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/bigg-boss-9-contestants-suryansh-yuvika-keith-wish-kishwer-merchant-happy-birthday/ |title=Bigg Boss 9 contestants Suyyash, Yuvika, Keith wish Kishwer Merchant Happy Birthday |work=The Indian Express}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>) is an Indian television [[actress]] and [[model (person)|model]]. Merchant is well known for acting in the shows ''[[Hip Hip Hurray (TV series)|Hip Hip Hurray]]'', ''[[Ek Hasina Thi (TV series)|Ek Hasina Thi]]'', ''[[Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar]]'', ''[[Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal]]'', ''[[Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani]]'' and ''[[Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan|Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan]]''. She was a contestant in the reality show ''[[Bigg Boss (Hindi TV series)|Bigg Boss 9]]'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/kishwar-merchant-in-bigg-boss-9-double-trouble/photostory/49934866.cms |title=Kishwar Merchant in Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref>

==Life and career==
===Early life and debut show (1981–2009)===
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 (TV series)|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 (TV series)|Kutumb]]'', ''[[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]'', ''[[Kayaamat – Jabb Bhi Waqt Aata Hai]]'', ''[[Hatim (TV series)|Hatim]]'' and ''[[Khichdi (2002 TV series)|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]]''.<ref name="toi KM">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kishwer-S-Merchantt-I-cant-do-mythological-shows-their-hindi-is-quite-tough/articleshow/46959293.cms |title=Kishwer S Merchantt: I can't do mythological shows, their hindi is quite tough |last=Staff |date=18 April 2015 |work=[[Times Internet]] |access-date=27 September 2015}}</ref> 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 (TV series)|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 (TV series)|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 (Hindi season 9)|Bigg Boss 9]]'' along with her boyfriend [[Suyyash Rai]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/kishwar-merchant-in-bigg-boss-9-double-trouble/photostory/49934866.cms |title=Kishwar Merchant in Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kishwar Merchant: My elimination 'unfair, forceful' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kishwar-Merchant-My-elimination-unfair-forceful/articleshow/50508216.cms |access-date=9 January 2016 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=9 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/bigg-boss-9-contestant-kishwar-merchant-profile-24533.html |title=Bigg Boss 9 Contestant No 4: Kishwar Merchant, the vamp of television industry |access-date=10 October 2015}}</ref> She was paired with [[Aman Verma (actor)|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.<ref>{{cite news |title='Bigg Boss 9':Kishwar Merchant walks out of the show with Rs 15 lakh |url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/bigg-boss-9-kishwar-merchant-out-of-the-show-prince-makes-it-to-finale/story-usFganBKkGqbbALeJXGeEN.html |access-date=9 January 2016 |work=Hindustan Times |date=9 January 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kishwar-Merchant-My-elimination-unfair-forceful/articleshow/50508216.cms |title=Kishwar Merchant: My elimination 'unfair, forceful' |date=9 January 2016 |access-date=9 January 2016 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/bigg-boss-9-contestant-kishwar-merchant-profile-24533.html |title=Bigg Boss 9 Contestant No 4: Kishwar Merchant, the vamp of television industry |work=indiatvnews.com |access-date=10 October 2015}}</ref>

In 2016, Kishwar made her comeback with Balaji's popular show ''[[Brahmarakshas (TV series)|Brahmarakshas]]'', playing the main antagonist, Aparajita.<ref>{{cite news |title=First look: Kishwer Merchant is set to return to Brahmarakshas |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/First-look-Kishwer-Merchant-is-set-to-return-to-Brahmarakshas/articleshow/53925939.cms |work=The Times of India |date=30 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kishwer Merchantt grabs negative role in Ekta Kapoor's new show Brahmarakshas |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/kishwer-merchantt-new-show-zee-tv-brahmarakshas-lifetv-330021-2016-07-19 |work=India Today |date=19 July 2016}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abplive.in/television/wow-kishwer-merchant-is-coming-back-with-star-plus-serial-496689 |title=WOW! Kishwer Merchant is COMING BACK with Star Plus serial |date=22 February 2017 |work=[[ABP Live]] |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025124/http://www.abplive.in/television/wow-kishwer-merchant-is-coming-back-with-star-plus-serial-496689 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 (actress, born 1983)|Aditi Sharma]]. The show went off air on 2 June 2017.

==Personal life==
[[File:Suyyash kishwar colors bash.jpg|thumb|right|With her husband [[Suyyash Rai|Suyyash]] at an event, 2016]]
In 2010, Kishwer Merchant started dating actor [[Suyyash Rai]]. They got married on 16 December 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/kishwer-merchant-suyyash-rai-tie-the-knot-all-the-photos-from-their-wedding-celebration-3158852.html |title=Kishwer Merchant, Suyyash Rai tie the knot: All the photos from their wedding celebration |date=16 December 2016 |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/photos/368746/surbhi-vahbiz-vivian-krystle-and-other-telly-friends-have-gala-time-kishwer |title=Surbhi, Vahbiz, Mandana, Vivian, Krystle and other Telly friends have a gala time at Kishwer-Suyyash's wedding reception! |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=18 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218080223/http://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/photos/368746/surbhi-vahbiz-vivian-krystle-and-other-telly-friends-have-gala-time-kishwer |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 2 March 2021 the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/kishwer-merchant-suyyash-rai-announce-first-pregnancy-with-special-post-coming-in-august-101614695849179-amp.html |title=Kishwer Marchent, Sayyush Rai announce first pregnancy with a special post:'Coming in August' |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/kishwer-merchant-suyyash-rai-announces-first-pregnancy-with-adorable-post-coming-this-august-688381 |title=Kishwer Marchent-Sayyush Rai announce first pregnancy with adorable post, 'Coming this August' |publisher=[[India TV]] |date=2 March 2021}}</ref>

On 27 August 2021, the couple became parents to a boy and named him 'Nirvair'.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/its-a-boy-kishwer-merchantt-and-suyyash-rai-introduce-baby-son-with-adorable-pic-2521429?amp=1&akamai-rum=off |title=''It's a boy'' Kishwer Marchant and Sayyush Rai introduce baby son with adorable pic |publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Ref
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Bheja Fry 2]]''
| Spanta Patel
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Marne Bhi Do Yaaron]]''
| Sunny
|
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Year
! Name
! Role
! Notes
! Ref(s)
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Shaktimaan]]''
| Julia
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 1998–2001
| ''[[Hip Hip Hurray (TV series)|Hip Hip Hurray]]''
| Nonie
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 1999
| ''[[X Zone]]''
|
| Episodic role
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Hello Friends (TV series)|Hello Friends]]''
|
| Episodic role
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2000–2001
| ''[[Babul Ki Duwayen Leti Jaa]]''
| Malavika
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2001–2004
| ''[[Ssshhhh...Koi Hai]]''
| Various characters
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2001–2003
| ''[[Sarhadein]]''
| Pranati
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2001–2003
| ''Shikwah''
| Mehwish
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2001–2002
| ''[[Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand]]''
| Sonam
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2001–2002
| ''[[Kutumb (TV series)|Kutumb]]''
| Swati
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]''
| Mitali Sharma
|
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Dhadkan (TV series)|Dhadkan]]''
| Dr. Aditi
|
|
|-
| 2002–2003
| ''[[Kammal]]''
| Nisha Jajoo
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2002–2004
| ''[[Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat]]''
| Nikki Chauhan
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2002–2006
| ''[[Piya Ka Ghar (TV series)|Piya Ka Ghar]]''
| Malini
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2003–2005
| ''[[Kayaamat – Jabb Bhi Waqt Aata Hai]]''
| Pooja
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Hatim (TV series)|Hatim]]''
| Rubina
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| ''[[Khichdi (2002 TV series)|Khichdi]]''
| Rambha
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Sarabhai vs Sarabhai]]''
| Dr. Kiran
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2005–2006
| ''[[Reth (TV series)|Reth]]''
| Dr. Dakshi
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| ''[[Rihaee (TV series)|Rihaee]]''
| Tanvi
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Instant Khichdi]]''
| Rambha
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2005–2006
| ''[[Kkavyanjali]]''
| Vanshita Nanda
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Kasamh Se]]''
| Seema Shukla
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2006–2007
| ''[[Kaajjal]]''
| Amisha Veer Pratapsingh
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2006–2009
| ''[[Kashmakash Zindagi Ki]]''
| Mandira
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2007–2008
| ''[[Meri Awaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni]]''
| Rama Chopra
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Arslaan]]''
| Mikawi
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2008–2009
| ''[[Miley Jab Hum Tum]]''
| Tamanna "Tam Mam"
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2009
|rowspan=2|''[[CID (Indian TV series)|C.I.D]]''
|Pari
|Episode "Khooni Khel"
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| 2010
|Roshini
|Episode "Kissa Gumnaam Bacche Ka"
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| 2009–2010
| ''Namak Haraam''
| Priya Sehgal
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2010–2011
| ''[[Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani]]''
| Haseena Raichand
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi]]''
| Guest
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="7" | 2012
| ''[[Chotti Bahu|Chhoti Bahu 2 - Sawar Ke Rang Rachi]]''
| Sonia Bhardwaj
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Arjun (TV series)|Har Yug Mein Aayega Ek – Arjun]]''
| Senior Forensic expert
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Teri Meri Love Stories]]''
| Meera's friend
|
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kishwer-merchant-in-star-plus-telefilm/articleshow/14712544.cms?intenttarget=no |title=Kishwer Merchant in Star Plus' telefilm |newspaper=The Times of India |date=6 July 2012}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Amrit Manthan]]''
| Mrs. Adhiraj SIngh
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|rowspan=2|''[[Savdhaan India]]''
|Sharmila
|"Episode 528"
|
|-
|Roshni
|Episode "580"
|
|-
| ''[[Fear Files: Darr Ki Sacchi Tasvirein ]]''
| Malini
| Episodic role
|
|-
| 2012–2013
| ''[[Best Friends Forever?]]''
| Mandira Singh
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2013
| ''[[Hongey Judaa Na Hum]]''
| Rama
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi]]''
| Parminder
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|''[[SuperCops vs Supervillains]]''
| Tarot Card Reader
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Crazy Stupid Ishq]]''
| Jasmin Atwal
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Yeh Hai Aashiqui]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2013–2014
| ''[[The Adventures of Hatim]]''
| Zelna
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon]]''
| Ananya Kapoor
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Ek Hasina Thi (TV series)|Ek Hasina Thi]]''
| Raima Maheshwari
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014–2015
| ''Box Cricket League 1''
| Contestant
| Winner
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Akbar Birbal]]''
| Urvashi
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2014–2018
| ''[[Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan]]''
| Nyonika Malhotra
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2014–2015
| ''[[Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar]]''
| Dimpy Karan Kapoor
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2015–2016
| ''[[Bigg Boss (Hindi season 9)|Bigg Boss 9]]''
| Contestant
| Walked on Day 89 (7th place)
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2016
| ''Box Cricket League 2''
| rowspan=2| Contestant
| Winner
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''Box Cricket League Punjab''
| Player in Ambarsariye Hawks
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Desi Explorers]]''
| Herself
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="dejt">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Surbhi-Jyoti-Sara-Khan-Sukriti-Kandpal-don-stunning-bridal-outfits-for-web-based-show/articleshow/52867827.cms |title=Surbhi Jyoti, Sara Khan, Sukriti Kandpal don stunning bridal outfits for web based show |newspaper=The Times of India |date=26 June 2016 |access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Adaalat (season 2)|Adaalat 2]]''
| Devika
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Brahmarakshas (TV series)|Brahmarakshas – Jaag Utha Shaitaan]]''
| Aparajita
| Cameo
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2017
| ''[[BIG Memsaab]]''
| Contestant
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Dhhai Kilo Prem]]''
| Shilpa
| Cameo
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Savitri Devi College & Hospital]]''
| Neeta Malhotra
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Gangaa]]''
| Asha
| Cameo Role
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Chidiya Ghar]]''
| Sheela Kejwani
| Cameo
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2017–2018
| ''[[Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double]]''
| Aisha Nadkarni
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2018
| ''[[Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya]]''
| Arpita Singh Rathore
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''Box Cricket League 3''
| Contestant
| Player in Delhi Dragons
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| ''[[Laal Ishq (2018 TV series)|Laal Ishq]]''
| Daisy
| Episodic role
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2019
| ''Box Cricket League 4''
| Contestant
| Player in Kolkata Babu
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2019–2020
| ''[[Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum]]''
| Dr. Nishi Sippy
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|2022
| ''[[Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan]]''
| Meera Raichand
|
| style="text-align:center;" |
|}

=== Web series ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Year
! Name
! Role
! Notes
! Ref(s)
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Dear Ishq]]''
| Maya Costa
|
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/kishwer-merchantt-who-is-part-of-dear-ishq-on-disney-hotstar-talks-about-the-show-ott-more-473919 |title=Kishwer Merchantt, who is part of Dear Ishq on Disney+ Hotstar, talks about the show, OTT & more}}</ref>
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|id=3874231|name=Kishwer Merchant}}
*{{Instagram|Kishwersmerchantt}}
*{{YouTube|c=UCwUn9aHv0RtXuiz4xYZ8Gpg|Kishwer Merchant}}
{{Bigg Boss 9}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merchant, Kishwer}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Indian Ismailis]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Contestants on Indian game shows]]
[[Category:Participants in Indian reality television series]]
[[Category:Khoja Ismailis]]
[[Category:Gujarati actresses]]

Kishwer Merchant - Revision history

Ronny14Z58 at 23:38, 7 February 2026