Rithvik Dhanjani

Early life Dhanjani was born on 5 November 1988 in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. His family, who's Sindhi, moved to Dubai soon after he was born. He has a younger sister named Heena Dhanjani. He did his schooling in Dubai and complete his graduation from City of London College, London. In his college days, he was into acting, modeling and hosting shows.

Later, Dhanjani got involved in theater for as long as two and a half years. After doing theatre and events in Dubai, he decided to shift to Mumbai to become an actor.

Career Debut and early roles (2009–2012) Dhanjani began his acting career with a cameo in Bandini in 2009, where he played Parth, a negative character. He then portrayed supporting parts of Prithvi Pundir in Bairi Piya from 2009 to 2010 and Partho Rawal in Tere Liye in 2010.

He had his big break with Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani where he played the antagonist, Jay Khurana from 2010 to 2011, who was a werewolf and in love with Sukirti Kandpal's character. In 2011, he made his film debut with Jo Hum Chahein, portraying Akash. The film received mixed to negative reviews and was a box-office failure. He also worked in the short film, Aftermath portraying Ali.

In June 2012 Rithvik entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 as wild card entry and became the second runner up.

Establishment as an actor and presenter (2013-2019)

Dhanjani's portrayal of Arjun Digvijay Kirloskar opposite Asha Negi in Balaji Telefilms's Pavitra Rishta proved as a major turning point in his career. He portrayed the character from 2011 to 2014. Dhanjani got several nominations for his portrayal and won the Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

In 2013, he hosted India's Best Dramebaaz with Ragini Khanna. From 2013 to 2015, he hosted two seasons of Yeh Hai Aashiqui, which gained him further praises. In 2013, he also portrayed Kabir, opposite Mihika Verma in an episode of Yeh hai Aashiqui. In 2015, he and Negi recreated their love story in the final episode of Season 1.

The same year, he participated in Nach Baliye 6 with his then partner Asha Negi and they emerged as the winners. In 2014, he portrayed Vidhyut in MTV Fanaah. In the same year, he participated in the dance reality show Dare 2 Dance and hosted the finale episode of India's Raw Star. He hosted a variety of shows such as V Distraction and Nach Baliye 7 with Karan Patel.

Dhanjani emerged as the winner of the stunt based reality show I Can Do That. He has also hosted India's Best Dramebaaz (Season 2) the same year. Dhanjani hosted four shows in 2016 including Pyaar Ki Yeh Kahani Suno,

In 2017, he first hosted Aye Zindagi and then participated in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 and ended at 7th place. He also participated in Lip Sing Battle. From 2017 to 2018, he hosted Super Dancer (Chapter 2), for which he won Gold Award for Best Anchor, and Rasoi Ki Jung Mummyon Ke Sung. He hosted, India's Next Superstars and India's Got Talent 8 in 2018.

Dhanjani portrayed Shivam Chaturvedi, opposite Anita Hassanandani in Galti Se Mis-Tech. It received positive reviews. He portrayed Mayank in XXX, both in 2018. He hosted Super Dancer Chapter 3 from 2018 to 2019.

Expansion and career progression (2020-present) Dhanjani participated in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi – Made in India in 2020. He stood at 7th place and quit the show midway. The same year, he appeared in Lockdown Rishtey, as a presenter. He then appeared in Ladies vs Gentlemen as panelist.

In 2021, He hosted Super Dancer 4. Dhanjani next portrayed Abhay Angre opposite Monica Dogra in 2021 series Cartel. Joginder Tuteja for ABP News noted, "Rithvik is a find. When Cartel begins, it takes time to adapt to his character and mannerisms. However as the series progresses, you get the ‘sur’ of him, something that unleashes big time towards the terrific climax."

Dhanjani in 2022, appeared in the short film, Arranged, portraying Tarun opposite Tridha Choudhury. Praising his performance, Archika Khurana wrote, "Both, Tridha’s Richa and Rithvik’s Tarun are the most appealing and well-written characters of the film. Onscreen, they get along well, and their genuine and sincere performances contribute to the story's relatability." The same year, he hosted Global Excellence Awards and Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

In 2023, Dhanjani appeared in an interactive film Lost and Found in Singapore opposite Apoorva Arora. It was released on MX Player. That year, he also appeared in an episode of the mini series Butterflies.

Dhanjani began 2024 with the reality show Aapka Apna Zakir, where he appeared as a panel member. Following this, he played Ved in the second season of Half Love Half Arranged opposite Maanvi Gagroo. Bhawna Arya stated, "Rithvik's Ved has our heart, the innocence in his character is clearly intriguing and he plays his part flawlessly."

Personal life Dhanjani met actress Asha Negi on the set of Pavitra Rishta in 2011 and later they began dating. Dhanjani and Negi parted ways in May 2020, after 7 years of relationship.

Other work and public image

Dhanjani along with his Cartel team, joined a project named, "JO FO MO" with a NGO to help the charity organizations raise funds for the migrant workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has ramp walked in the ITA Creators Walk in 2017 and has been the cover model for several magazines such as Zing Magazine and Gr8 Magazine, where he featured with Asha Negi.

Dhanjani ranked 15th in 2013 in Eastern Eye's 50 Sexiest Asian Men list. In the same list, he ranked 21st in 2014 and 20th in 2015. In Times of India''s Most Desirable Men on TV list, he was placed 13th in 2017. Apart from acting, Dhanjani is a celebrity endorser for several brands and products, including Vivo. He also featured in Amazon Audible's ad film with Nakuul Mehta. In 2024, Dhanjani started his own clothing line, named RDX.

Filmography

Films Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2011 Jo Hum Chahein Aakash Aftermath Ali Short film 2022 Arranged Tarun 2023 Lost and Found in Singapore Dhruv

Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2010–2011 Bandini Parth Shashank Mehta 2009–2010 Bairi Piya Prithvi Pundir 2010 Tere Liye Partho Rawal 2010–2011 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Jeh Khurana 2011–2014 Pavitra Rishta Arjun Digvijay Kirloskar 2012 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 Contestant 2nd runner-up 2013 India's Best Dramebaaz Host Yeh Hai Aashiqui Kabir Episode: "Lights, Camera, Heartbreak" 2013–2015 Host Episodes 14-94 2013–2014 Nach Baliye 6 Contestant Winner 2014 MTV Fanaah Vidhyut India's Raw Star Host Finale episode Dare 2 Dance Contestant 2014–2015 Box Cricket League 1 2015 Yeh Hai Aashiqui Himself Episode: "Onscreen Offscreen" India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun? Contestant Episode 4 V Distraction Host Nach Baliye 7 Yeh Hai Aashiqui Siyappa Ishq Ka I Can Do That Contestant Winner 2015–2016 India's Best Dramebaaz Host 2016 Box Cricket League 2 Contestant Pyaar Ki Yeh Kahani Suno Host So You Think You Can Dance Man Vs. Job Super Dancer Chapter 1 2017 Aye Zindagi Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 Contestant 7th place Lip Sing Battle 2017–2018 Super Dancer Chapter 2 Host Rasoi Ki Jung Mummyon Ke Sung 2018 India's Next Superstars India's Got Talent 8 2018–2019 Super Dancer Chapter 3 2020 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi – Made in India Contestant 9th place 2021 Super Dancer Chapter 4Host 2023–2024 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11 2024 Aapka Apna Zakir Rithvik 2026Khatron Ke Khiladi 15Contestant

Guest appearances Year Title Role Ref. 2013 Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke Himself2014 MTV Webbed 2 India's Best Cinestars Ki Khoj Hum Hain Na Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 2015 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 Kumkum Bhagya Arjun Kirloskar Jamai RajaHimself 2017 Bigg Boss 11 2018 Kaleerein 2020 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 2021 Meet: Badlegi Duniya Ki Reet

Web series Year Title Role Notes Ref.2016 I Don't Watch TV Himself Arre: Ho Ja Re-Gender Guest Special appearance 2018 Galti Se Mis-Tech Shivam Chaturvedi XXX Mayank Episode: "The Climax" 2020 Lockdown Rishtey Rithvik Ladies vs Gentlemen Himself Panelist 2021 Cartel Abhay Angre 2022 Datebaazi Host 2023 Butterflies 4 Gaurav Episode: "Kebab Mein Haddi" 2024 Half Love Half Arranged Ved Season 2 2013 Indian Telly Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Best Onscreen Couple (with Asha Negi) Indian Television Academy Awards Gr8 Face of the Year Gold Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Gold Best Onscreen Jodi (with Asha Negi) 2017 Best Anchor Super Dancer 2 2022 Pinkvilla Style Icons Awards Super Stylish Host Indian Television Academy Awards Popular Actor - Host Super Dancer 4