Bigg Boss 20 contestant Rhiti Tiwari has addressed the controversy surrounding her comments about receiving a monthly allowance of Rs 20,000–Rs 25,000 from her father, actor-politician Manoj Tiwari. The issue escalated after Ekam Bawa, who publicly identified himself as Rhiti’s stepfather, questioned her account of financial hardship and her lifestyle. Rhiti has now confirmed that legal action has been initiated and said she would allow the legal process to take its course.
Rhiti Tiwari Says Legal Action Has Been Initiated
Following her elimination from Bigg Boss 20, Rhiti was asked about the allegations made by Ekam Bawa. She chose not to comment on the details, explaining that the matter had already entered a legal process.
Rhiti said that future developments would be communicated through legal channels or by her agency. She also indicated that she did not want to discuss the matter publicly while the legal proceedings were underway.
The development follows a legal notice issued on behalf of Rhiti and her mother, Pratima Pandey. The notice disputed Bawa’s claims about his relationship with the family and described the allegations concerning Rhiti and her mother as false and defamatory. It also warned media organisations and other platforms about publishing or republishing the disputed claims without verification.
How the Rs 25,000 Allowance Controversy Began
During her Bigg Boss 20 stint, Rhiti spoke about her relationship with her father and the way she was raised. She said Manoj Tiwari had made it clear that he would not build her career for her and that she would have to establish herself independently.
Rhiti also recalled a period when she received around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month from her father and described having to manage her expenses within that amount. She additionally spoke about a time when she survived on inexpensive food while dealing with limited money for everyday expenses.
Her comments subsequently attracted attention because of her status as the daughter of a well-known actor and politician.
Ekam Bawa Questions Rhiti’s Claims
Ekam Bawa later shared videos questioning Rhiti’s description of her financial circumstances. He alleged that her reported allowance did not appear consistent with the expensive possessions and lifestyle he attributed to her.
Among other claims, Bawa questioned how someone receiving Rs 25,000 per month could maintain expensive cars and own luxury handbags. He also raised questions about alleged business interests and property holdings. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Bawa also publicly discussed his alleged relationship with Rhiti’s mother and described himself as Rhiti’s stepfather. Rhiti’s family has disputed that characterization.
Rhiti’s Family Rejects Stepfather Claims
A legal notice issued on behalf of Rhiti and her mother stated that Bawa did not have the legal status or relationship he claimed. The notice characterised his statements and social-media posts about the family as false and defamatory, according to reports.
The family subsequently indicated that legal action had been initiated over the matter. Bawa, meanwhile, has continued to maintain his version of events publicly. Because the allegations are disputed, they should be treated as claims rather than established facts.
Rhiti Clarifies She Was Not Seeking Sympathy
In a recent interview, Rhiti also explained what she meant when discussing the Rs 25,000 allowance on Bigg Boss 20. She said she never intended to portray herself as someone without privilege or to seek sympathy from viewers.
According to Rhiti, her comments were about her personal experience and her family’s approach to making her independent. She said that her parents wanted her to create her own identity rather than simply rely on the opportunities associated with her father’s name.
Rhiti also explained that, as she grew older, she became more conscious about asking her family for money and wanted to become financially independent herself. She described the experience as her personal story rather than a claim that she had lived without privilege.
Bigg Boss 20 Controversy Continues After Rhiti’s Exit
The controversy comes shortly after Rhiti’s exit from Bigg Boss 20. Her comments inside the house had already generated discussion about celebrity privilege, financial independence and the expectations placed on star kids.
The dispute with Bawa added another layer to the conversation, particularly because it involved conflicting accounts of Rhiti’s family relationships and financial circumstances.
For now, Rhiti has chosen to let the legal process address the allegations rather than continue the discussion publicly. Her team has indicated that further information will come through appropriate legal or official channels.
