Isha Rikhi Birthday: Mother recalls her childhood dream of meeting Salman Khan comes true on Bigg Boss 20

Isha Rikhi is celebrating her birthday inside the Bigg Boss 20 house, and her mother Poonam Rikhi has shared a heartwarming memory from the actress’ childhood. The memory takes fans back to a time when young Isha was a huge Salman Khan fan and would collect his pictures from newspapers. Years later, that childhood dream came true in a very special way when Isha stood in front of Salman Khan during the Bigg Boss 20 grand premiere.

When Young Isha Was a Salman Khan Fan

Recalling Isha’s childhood, Poonam said the incident goes back to around 2004. At a time when newspapers arrived in almost every household, Isha would search them for pictures of Salman Khan.

She would cut out the actor’s photographs and stick them around the house. Poonam recalled that Isha would even make a paste using flour when she could not find anything else to stick the pictures with.

Her mother admitted that she would get angry seeing Isha doing this and would sometimes scold her. But Isha’s fascination with Salman was clearly much stronger than a passing childhood crush.

Salman Khan Photos in Her School Bag

Poonam also remembered discovering several Salman Khan pictures inside Isha’s school bag. Instead of being filled only with books and homework, the bag reportedly had plenty of photographs of the superstar.

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A post shared by Isha Rikhi (@isharikhi)

Isha’s Salman Khan fandom even found its way into the letters she wrote to her father. Poonam recalled that Isha would write emotional messages about missing her father and ask him to come back soon, while also keeping a Salman Khan picture with the letter. Her teacher had noticed the same thing. Although Isha was good with her homework, her school bag seemed to have a surprising collection of Salman Khan photographs.

Childhood Dream Came Full Circle

Years later, Poonam saw her daughter standing directly in front of Salman Khan on the Bigg Boss 20 grand premiere. When Salman told Isha, “Look who is standing in front of you,” the moment brought all those childhood memories rushing back. Poonam said the moment was a big achievement not only for Isha but also for her as a mother. She expressed how proud and blessed she felt seeing her daughter take another step forward in her career.

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A post shared by POONAM RIKHI (@poonamrikhi6)

Isha Rikhi and Badshah’s Separation

Isha’s Bigg Boss 20 journey comes at a major turning point in her personal life as well. Just days before entering the show, Isha Rikhi and rapper Badshah confirmed their separation through Instagram, saying that the decision was mutual. The development came only months after reports surrounding their marriage. Isha had earlier spoken about marrying Badshah during an Instagram Ask Me Anything session, while the exact date of their wedding was never publicly revealed. Notably, Poonam Rikhi was the first to share their wedding video in March 2026.

Now, as Isha begins a new chapter on Bigg Boss 20, her mother’s emotional birthday message serves as a reminder of her journey from a little girl collecting Salman Khan’s photographs to standing in front of the superstar herself.

- PTC PUNJABI