Rhea Chakraborty has worn many hats over the years. She started as an MTV VJ, moved into Bollywood films, took a difficult personal journey through public scrutiny, and eventually found her way back into the spotlight through reality television. Her latest venture, joining The Traitors Season 2, marks another interesting turn in a career that has seen its fair share of highs and challenges.
Early Life and Education
Rhea was born on July 1, 1992, in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a Bengali family. Her father, Indrajit Chakraborty, served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army, which meant her early years involved some amount of moving around, as is common with army families.
She studied at Army Public School in Ambala Cantt and later attended St. Clare’s School in Agra. Her mother’s name is Sandhya Chakraborty, and she has a younger brother named Showik Chakraborty.
Career Beginnings
Rhea’s journey into the entertainment world started in 2009 when she took part in MTV India’s TVS Scooty Teen Diva, where she finished as the first runner-up. That appearance opened a door for her, and she went on to audition for a VJ position at MTV Delhi, where she was selected.
She quickly became a familiar face on MTV, hosting popular shows like Pepsi MTV Wassup, TicTac College Beat, and MTV Gone in 60 Seconds. This phase gave her the visibility and confidence that eventually pushed her toward acting.
Moving Into Films
Rhea made her acting debut in 2012 with the Telugu film Tuneega Tuneega, where she played a character named Nidhi. She followed this up with her Bollywood debut in 2013 through Mere Dad Ki Maruti, playing Jasleen, a role that introduced her to Hindi film audiences.
In 2014, she starred in Sonali Cable, and by 2017 she had appeared in YRF’s Bank Chor, along with cameo roles in Half Girlfriend and Dobaara: See Your Evil. In 2018, she starred opposite debutant Varun Mitra in Jalebi, adding another notable film to her growing filmography.
Her popularity peaked around this period too, and in 2020, she topped The Times of India’s Most Desirable Women list, a recognition that reflected just how much visibility she had built over the years.
A Difficult Chapter
Rhea’s life took an incredibly difficult turn following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in June 2020, whom she had been dating since April 2019. In the aftermath, she found herself at the center of intense media scrutiny and public criticism, facing allegations ranging from abetment of suicide to money laundering and drug-related charges.
She was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in September 2020 and spent close to a month in judicial custody before being granted bail by the Bombay High Court. The court specifically noted that she had no criminal history and was not part of any drug dealing chain.
During this period, several media outlets and public figures targeted her harshly, and organizations like the Press Council of India later acknowledged that much of the coverage had violated basic journalistic standards. In March 2025, the CBI filed a closure report concluding that Rajput’s death was indeed a suicide, officially clearing Rhea and her family of any wrongdoing in the case.
Return to the Spotlight
After stepping away from acting for several years, Rhea made a notable comeback to reality television in 2023, serving as a gang leader on the twentieth season of MTV Roadies, where her team ended up winning the season. This marked an important turning point, showing audiences a more confident and composed version of her public persona.
In 2026, it was announced that she would return to scripted acting after a seven-year gap, joining the cast of the Netflix show Family Business, a comeback she has described as feeling surreal given everything she had been through.
The Traitors Season 2
In 2026, Rhea Chakraborty added yet another interesting credit to her reality television résumé by joining The Traitors Season 2. The show, hosted by Karan Johar and streaming on Prime Video, brings together a mix of actors, comedians, and public personalities to compete in a game centered entirely around trust, alliances, and deception.
Given her prior experience leading a gang on MTV Roadies, Rhea’s entry into The Traitors felt like a natural progression for a personality known for sharp instincts and calm composure under pressure. She joins a starry lineup that includes Shweta Tiwari, Krystle D’Souza, Munawar Faruqui, Dalip Tahil, and Mallika Sherawat, making the season one of the more talked-about ensembles in recent Indian reality television.
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Personal Life
Rhea has largely kept her personal life private since the events of 2020, though she has been linked to a few names over the years. She was previously rumoured to have dated actor Aditya Roy Kapur before her relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput. More recently, she has been associated with businessman Bunty Sajdeh and, separately, with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, though these have remained largely unconfirmed.
She remains unmarried and continues to share a close bond with her brother Showik and her parents. Away from work, she has spoken about her love for biking, car racing, and travel, with Cape Town and London among her favourite destinations.
Related Reads:
- Krystle D’Souza Biography
- Ranveer Brar Biography
- Aaditya Kulshrestha Biography
- Fukra Insaan Biography
- Munawar Faruqui Biography
- Dalip Tahil Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Rhea Chakraborty |
| Born | July 1, 1992 (Age 34) |
| Birthplace | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Occupation | Actress, VJ, Model |
| TV Debut | TVS Scooty Teen Diva (2009, as contestant) |
| Film Debut | Tuneega Tuneega (2012, Telugu) |
| Bollywood Debut | Mere Dad Ki Maruti (2013) |
| Known For | MTV VJ career, Sonali Cable, Jalebi, MTV Roadies Season 20, The Traitors Season 2 |
| Father | Indrajit Chakraborty (Indian Army Officer) |
| Mother | Sandhya Chakraborty |
| Sibling | Showik Chakraborty (brother) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Recent Work | Netflix’s Family Business (2026 comeback) |