Rithvik Dhanjani (born 5 November 1988) is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi television and web shows. He made his acting debut in 2009, portraying Parth in Bandini. Dhanjani earned wider recognition with his portrayal of Arjun Digvijay Kirloskar in Pavitra Rishta. He is a recipient of one Indian Telly Award and Gold Award each, along with other nominations.Dhanjani had his first success with Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani, where he was seen portraying Jay Khurana. His film debut Jo Hum Chahein (2011), failed to leave a mark. The year 2013, marked a turning point in his career when he turned host with Yeh Hai Aashiqui and his success there led to him hosting other shows including India's Next Superstars, Super Dancer, India's Best Dramebaaz and So You Think You Can Dance. He made his web debut with I Don't Watch TV (2016) and has been part of successful web series including XXX (2018) and Cartel (2021). In addition to his acting career, Dhanjani has won reality shows such as Nach Baliye 6, with his then partner Asha Negi and I Can Do That.

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. He then did an acting course from the Kishore Namit Kapoor Institute before entering the television industry.

Debut show and breakthrough role (2009–present)

Dhanjani began his acting career with a cameo in Bandini, where he played Parth, a negative character. However, his big break came in Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani where he played the antagonist, Jay Khurana, who was a werewolf and in love with the female protagonist. The show ended on 15 December 2011. He later played the role of the parallel lead Arjun Digvijay Kirloskar in the Balaji Telefilms show Pavitra Rishta opposite Asha Negi. In June 2012 Rithvik entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 as wild card entry and came in third place. In 2013, he hosted India's Best Dramebaaz with Ragini Khanna. He was seen in the Teen ka Tadka episode of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 6. In 2013, he started hosting the show, Yeh Hai Aashiqui which gained him popularity. In 2013, he participated in Nach Baliye 6 with his partner Asha Negi. In 2014, he appeared in the horror show, MTV Fanaah as Vidhyut. In the same year, he participated in the dance reality show Dare 2 Dance. In 2015, he hosted V Distraction and Nach Baliye 7 opposite Karan Patel. In 2015, he also contested in the stunt based reality show I Can Do That and became the winner of the show. He has also hosted India's Best Dramebaaz season 2. in 2015 to 2016 and the Indian reality dance show Super Dancers.

Career

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. 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. In June 2012 Rithvik entered ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5'' as wild card entry and became the second runner up. He portrayed the character from 2011 to 2014. Dhanjani won Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance, along with various other nominations.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''. 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'', ''So You Think You Can Dance'', ''Man Vs. Job'' and ''Super Dancer (Chapter 1)''. Dhanjani nade his web debut with ''I Don't Watch TV'' in 2016.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''. 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.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 (Chapter 4)''. He next portrayed Abhay Angre opposite Monica Dogra in 2021 series ''Cartel''. ''Times of India'' praised his performance and noted, "The character arc of Rithvik Dhanjani’s is intriguing, and he shines through the various emotions his character displays."Dhanjani in 2022 appeared in the short film, ''Arranged'', portraying Tarun opposite Tridha Choudhury. Praising his performance, ''Times of India'' 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 2022, Dhanjani appeared in an interactive film ''Lost and Found in Singapore'' opposite Apoorva Arora. It was released on MX Player.

Acting debut and breakthrough (2009–2012)

Dhanjani began his acting career with a cameo in Bandini, where he played Parth, a negative character. However, his big break came in Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani where he played the antagonist, Jay Khurana, who was a werewolf and in love with the female protagonist. The show ended on 15 December 2011. He later played the role of the parallel lead Arjun Digvijay Kirloskar in the Balaji Telefilms show Pavitra Rishta opposite Asha Negi. In June 2012 Rithvik entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 as wild card entry and came in third place. In 2013, he hosted India's Best Dramebaaz with Ragini Khanna. He was seen in the Teen ka Tadka episode of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 6.

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

Debut as host and success (2013-2017)

In 2013, he started hosting the show, Yeh Hai Aashiqui which gained him popularity. In 2013, he participated in Nach Baliye 6 with his partner Asha Negi. In 2014, he appeared in the horror show, MTV Fanaah as Vidhyut. In the same year, he participated in the dance reality show Dare 2 Dance. In 2015, he hosted V Distraction and Nach Baliye 7 opposite Karan Patel. In 2015, he also contested in the stunt based reality show I Can Do That and became the winner of the show. He has also hosted India's Best Dramebaaz season 2. in 2015 to 2016 and the Indian reality dance show Super Dancers.

Establishment as an actor and presenter (2013-2019)

He portrayed the character from 2011 to 2014. Dhanjani won Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance, along with various other nominations.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''. 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'', ''So You Think You Can Dance'', ''Man Vs. Job'' and ''Super Dancer (Chapter 1)''. Dhanjani nade his web debut with ''I Don't Watch TV'' in 2016.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''. 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 recent work (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 (Chapter 4)''. He next portrayed Abhay Angre opposite Monica Dogra in 2021 series ''Cartel''. ''Times of India'' praised his performance and noted, "The character arc of Rithvik Dhanjani’s is intriguing, and he shines through the various emotions his character displays."Dhanjani in 2022 appeared in the short film, ''Arranged'', portraying Tarun opposite Tridha Choudhury. Praising his performance, ''Times of India'' 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 2022, Dhanjani appeared in an interactive film ''Lost and Found in Singapore'' opposite Apoorva Arora. It was released on MX Player.

Personal life

Dhanjani met actress Asha Negi on the set of ''Pavitra Rishta'' in 2011 and later they began dating each other. Dhanjani and Negi parted ways in May 2020, after dating for 7 years.

Other work and public image

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 an celebrity endorser for several brands and products, including Vivo. He also featured in Amazon Audible's ad film with Nakuul Mehta.

Off-screen work and public image

Dhanjani along with his ''Cartel'' team, joined a project named, "JO FO MO" with a NGOto help the charity organizations raise funds for the migrant workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Dhanjani along with his ''Cartel'' team, joined a project named, "JO FO MO" with a NGOto help the charity organizations raise funds for the migrant workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic.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 an endorser for several brands and products, including Vivo. He also featured in Amazon Audible's ad film with Nakuul Mehta.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.