Jaya Sawant is the mother of popular Bollywood item dancer, actress, and reality television personality Rakhi Sawant (born Neeru Bheda) — who had herself participated in Bigg Boss Hindi Season 1 (2006). Jaya Sawant is widely known through her daughter Rakhi, who has spoken openly in media interviews about their close bond and the difficult circumstances of her mother's life, including serious health challenges. In October 2009, she entered Bigg Boss Season 3 as an original contestant — the only purely non-celebrity and non-entertainment-industry participant in the season. She was the first housemate to be evicted from Season 3, leaving on Day 4 (at the end of the first eviction), finishing 15th and last overall.
Being the mother of item dancer and Bigg Boss Season 1 contestant Rakhi Sawant; the only non-celebrity housewife to participate in Bigg Boss Hindi in the show's early seasons.