Ridhiema Tiwari: How a Former Banker Built a Successful Acting Career

From working at a bank to sharing screen space in Begum Jaan and becoming a familiar face on Indian television, Ridhiema Tiwari’s journey has been shaped by resilience, self-belief and constant reinvention. In a conversation with SAURABH TANKHA, the actor opens up about breaking into the entertainment industry, replacing an established character in Sasural Genda Phool, her experience during the pandemic and the values that keep her grounded.

Born to educationist parents, Ridhiema Tiwari’s path to acting was far from conventional. She completed her schooling in Gujarat and graduated in English from Sophia College, Mumbai. While she wanted to pursue Mass Communication, family expectations pushed her towards a more traditional career path.

Before entering the entertainment industry, she worked with IndusInd Bank. However, the corporate world failed to satisfy her creative aspirations. A turning point came when she participated in the Gladrags beauty contest. She made it to the final 20 contestants and won the Best Hair title, opening the doors to the world of entertainment.

Today, audiences know her through memorable television roles such as Laila in Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein, Ojaswini Shergill in Divya Drishti, Rasika in Do Dil Ek Jaan, Disha in Sasural Genda Phool and Maldawali in Ghulam. She also made an impact on the big screen with her role as Amba in Begum Jaan.

Why Ridhiema Tiwari Is Seen More on Television Than Films

Ridhiema says every actor wants to entertain audiences across all platforms. While films remain a significant milestone, television has offered her stability and creative opportunities. “Silver screen is certainly the epitome of achieving respect, adulation and success, but with so much competition and talent available, the challenges are far too stretched,” she says.

She credits television for helping her grow as an actor while maintaining financial independence. At the same time, she continues to explore opportunities in films and web series. “TV has been my practice ground to upgrade my skills, understand technicalities and experiment with various roles,” she adds.

Replacing a Popular Character in Sasural Genda Phool

One of the biggest challenges of Ridhiema’s career came when she replaced actor Pooja Kanwal in Sasural Genda Phool.

Initially, the audience response was far from encouraging. “I remember how I got home all excited to check audience reaction after my first day and felt demotivated to have been rejected by 60-70 percent fans,” she recalls.

However, support from the cast and crew helped her stay focused. Over time, viewers accepted her portrayal and she carved out her own space in the show. “Having gone through the pressure of stepping into Pooja’s shoes and being loved as well as accepted equally was a dream,” she says.

The Three Factors That Matter While Choosing a Project

When it comes to selecting assignments, Ridhiema keeps it simple. “Role, banner and money. Nothing else matters.”

From Banker to Actor

Interestingly, acting was never part of her original plan. “I never intended to. I was a banker before that and wanted to be a journalist,” she says. The Gladrags contest became her first brush with the entertainment world. Winning the Best Hair title led to a Sunsilk advertisement and eventually paved the way for acting opportunities.

Family Support and Early Struggles

While her father was not initially informed about her decision to enter the industry, her mother stood firmly by her side. “Mom was clueless about the field but she put her faith in me and always supported me,” Ridhiema says.

She admits that her father may not have approved of her career choice initially, but her mother’s trust gave her the confidence to move forward.

Lessons from the Pandemic

Like many others, Ridhiema experienced a major shift during the Covid-19 lockdown. “Lockdown has made me aatmanirbhar in every way. It has made me stronger,” she says. The period taught her patience, resilience and gratitude. She says she now values simple pleasures and approaches life with greater mindfulness. “My mind is so much at peace. The tranquillity that prevails keeps me saner than the stress which we actors normally are used to.”

Life Beyond Glamour

Away from the camera, Ridhiema prefers a simpler life centred around family, pets and self-reflection. “I practice mindful breathing when not at work. I purposefully practice pauses and simplicity,” she says. She believes happiness lies in ordinary experiences rather than constant glamour and attention.

“Ordinary things in life give me happiness. It’s my fans who make me extraordinary and this is something that will always keep me grounded.”