{
  "id": 6411568,
  "title": "Rhiya Ahir, Shehzad Poonawalla spar over Bigg Boss 20, Rahul Gandhi and age: ‘Leave women alone’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/rhiya-ahir-shehzad-poonawalla-spar-over-bigg-boss-20-rahul-gandhi-and",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-09T10:58:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/rhiya-ahir-shehzad-poonawalla-spar-over-bigg-boss-20-rahul-gandhi-and-age-leave-women-alone-11788946663890.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai-based model Rhiya Ahir, who gained attention for a viral video of her stopping a police van during the Cockroach Janta Party protests, has engaged in a public feud with former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla. Poonawalla mocked Ahir for not making it to Bigg Boss 20, leading to a series of retaliatory posts from Ahir. In response to Poonawalla's allegations, Ahir challenged him to provide proof that she had disrespected the Indian Army, questioning her involvement in any disrespectful behavior. She also dismissed the idea that Bigg Boss could be used for political messaging, emphasizing that it is purely for entertainment. Ahir concluded her rebuttal by urging Poonawalla to leave matters related to women, religion, and young individuals alone. Poonawalla initially mocked Ahir for her lack of success in Bigg Boss, then brought in political figures Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that she should focus on politics involving people of her own age.",
  "summary": "Riya Ahir, a Mumbai model, responded to Shehzad Poonawalla's mockery about Bigg Boss 20 by sarcastically defending herself and criticising his age difference. She denied disrespecting the Army and dismissed political claims against her, urging Poonawalla to focus on people closer to his age.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rhiya Ahir, model and viral protest participant, feuded with Shehzad Poonawalla over Bigg Boss 20.",
    "Poonawalla criticized Ahir for not making it to the show, prompting Ahir's retaliatory posts."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}