Rakhi Sawant (born Neeru Bheda on 25 November 1978) is an Indian actress, dancer, television personality, and politician from Mumbai, Maharashtra. She adopted the surname Sawant from her stepfather, police constable Anand Sawant. She began her career with a minor role in Agnichakra (1997) under the name Ruhi Sawant, then broke through with the item song 'Mohabbat Hai Mirchi' in Chura Liya Hai Tumne (2003). Over the following years she appeared in Bollywood films including Main Hoon Na (2004), Masti (2004), Krazzy 4 (2008), and Dil Bole Hadippa! (2009), becoming one of Bollywood's most recognisable item dancers. She became a national reality TV phenomenon as a contestant on Bigg Boss 1 (2006), later returning as a finalist on Bigg Boss 14 (2020–21) and as a competitor on Bigg Boss 15 (2021). She reached the finale of Bigg Boss Marathi 4 (2024). In 2014, she founded the Rashtriya Aam Party (RAP) and contested the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North-West, subsequently joining the Republican Party of India (Athawale faction), where she serves as state vice-president. In February 2026, she entered Bigg Boss Marathi Season 6 as a wildcard contestant, adding her trademark dramatic energy to the season before being eliminated in Week 13.
The item song 'Mohabbat Hai Mirchi' from Chura Liya Hai Tumne (2003); her appearance in Bigg Boss 1 (2006); her appearance in films including Main Hoon Na (2004) and Great Grand Masti; being a finalist on Bigg Boss 14 (2020–21) and Bigg Boss Marathi 4 (2024); her multiple stints as a wildcard on the Bigg Boss franchise.