Nikki Tamboli

Tamboli was born in a Marathi family on 21 August 1996 in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.^[4][5] Her brother Jatin died in 2021 due to COVID-19.^[6][7]

She started her career as a model. In 2019, she made her acting debut with the Telugu horror comedy film Chikati Gadilo Chithakotudu playing the role of Pooja.^[8][9]

Tamboli later made her Tamil debut in the action horror film Kanchana 3 as Divya. Kanchana 3 grossed over ₹130 crore worldwide.^[10][11] Her third film was Thipparaa Meesam in Telugu where she played Mounika.^[12]

In 2020, she made her television debut through participating in the Hindi reality show Bigg Boss 14 where she emerged as the 2nd runner-up,^[13][14][15] and got immense fame and appreciation during her stint on the show.^[16][17][18]

In 2021, she participated in Colors TV's stunt-based reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, filmed in Cape Town where she finished at 10th place.^[19] Apart from reality shows she was also seen in several music videos collaboration with channels such as T-Series, Saregama and Desi Music Factory.

In 2022, she was seen in Colors TV's game show The Khatra Khatra Show which was hosted by Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa.^[20][21]

In 2023, Tamboli made special appearance in the song "Cocktail" in Hindi film Jogira Sara Ra Ra opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

In 2024, Tamboli appeared on the Colors Marathi's reality show Bigg Boss Marathi Season 5. She was eventually the highest-paid contestant of the season. Tamboli emerged as the 2nd runner-up.

In 2025, Tamboli appeared on the Sony TV's reality show Celebrity Masterchef India where she emerged as the 1st runner-up.^{[citation needed]}

In 2026, Tamboli appeared on the Colors TV's reality show The 50. Tamboli later also appeared on the MX Player's reality show Battleground Season 2 as a mentor of Team Lootere / Team Telugu Tigers.

Tamboli appeared in the Times of India's "Most Desirable Women on Television" list of 2020, where she was ranked 8th.^[22]

Tamboli is in a relationship with Arbaz Patel, which they confirmed after meeting in Bigg Boss Marathi season 5.^[1][3]