Years after captivating national television audiences with her televised search for a groom, actor Rakhi Sawant has revealed the true motive behind her iconic 2009 reality show. Speaking during an appearance on comedian Raunaq Rajani show Relationshit Advice, Sawant disclosed that finding a lifelong partner was never her goal. Instead, the decision to participate in the broadcasted matchmaking experience was driven entirely by financial need. At the time, she was residing in rented accommodation in Mumbai and desperately wanted to secure enough funds to purchase her own property in the city's Lokhandwala locality.
Financial Security Over Romantic Intentions
Sawant explained that when production executives approached her with the concept, she was still relatively young and attempting to establish a firm foothold in Bollywood. Under the format of the show, she was expected to date 16 prospective suitors and ultimately select one to marry. However, Sawant noted that the contestants brought onto the program were mostly struggling individuals seeking exposure. She stated that directors and producers were offering scripts on one side while providing financial compensation on the other. Driven by the ambition to receive liquid funds and transition out of rented housing, she chose to accept the televised proposition despite having no real interest in romance at that juncture.
The Competition and Short-Lived Engagement
Hosted by popular actor Ram Kapoor, the reality program featured a diverse line-up of 16 suitors competing for Sawant's hand. The participants hailed from various professional backgrounds, including businessmen, actors, models, police officers, choreographers, fitness trainers, and astrologers. Over the course of the season, contestants performed dance routines, embarked on romantic dates, and introduced their families. In the grand finale, Sawant selected Canadian businessman Elesh Parujanwala as her chosen partner. Rather than proceeding directly to marriage, the couple opted for an engagement, which ended up being short-lived as they parted ways shortly after the show concluded.
Scrapped Sequel and Franchise Evolution
Following the breakdown of her engagement, Sawant announced in December 2009 that she intended to launch a second season titled Rakhi Ka Doosra Swayamvar. For this planned follow-up, she expressed a desire to involve her family directly in the selection process. However, the proposed second installment never materialized. Despite the cancellation of her follow-up venture, the broad matchmaking television franchise returned to airwaves in 2010 with Rahul Dulhania Le Jayega, where 16 female contestants competed to marry Rahul Mahajan.
Personal Life Struggles and Present Single Status
Reflecting on her journey, Sawant shared that repeated heartbreaks and betrayals by several men have completely eroded her belief in love and marriage. She confirmed that she is currently single. Her personal relationships have frequently made headlines over the years. During her participation in the reality television show Bigg Boss, she introduced Ritesh Singh as her fake husband. She later married Adil Khan Durrani, but their tumultuous relationship ended in a high-profile divorce in 2023.
