Mohit Singh
Mumbai: The Chahat Pandey and Rajat Dalal relationship narrative that dominated conversations around The 50 for much of February 2026 has now been directly and firmly addressed by Chahat Pandey herself, who stated in her post-elimination interview with Free Press Journal: “When I exited the house and noticed that people had connected Rajat and my name, it felt unpleasant” adding that Rajat had publicly acknowledged after Bigg Boss 18 that she was “like my younger sister,” with the video still available on YouTube as verifiable proof.
The actress, who was eliminated in Episode 19 alongside Karan Patel, Maxtern, Aarya Jadhav, and Bhavya Singh on February 19, 2026, also directly requested the public and media to stop using their names for viral trends and views, calling the romantic framing “unpleasant” and specifically hurtful to her family.
Know who confirmed the sibling dynamic first: it was Rajat Dalal himself, in a self-made video uploaded after Bigg Boss 18, where he publicly described Chahat as a younger sister a fact she cited as her clearest counter-evidence to the romantic speculation.
The “Bhabhi” Tag: How It Started
The “bhaiya-bhabhi” nickname for Rajat Dalal and Chahat Pandey was coined by fellow contestants inside The 50 palace during a playful moment and quickly adopted by fans on social media. It originated when contestants Arbaz Patel, Faisu, Digvijay, and others were seen singing a teasing song “Waah waah Ram ji, jodi kya banayi, bhaiya aur Bhabhi ko badhayi ho badhayi” during a task in which Rajat and Chahat were paired together. The label stuck across multiple episodes and was amplified further when Rajat was seen saying “Meri Chahat ko sacrifice mat karna” “Don’t sacrifice my Chahat” to his teammates before a dangerous task, a clip that went viral and deepened the romantic speculation.
Chahat’s Response Inside the House
Even inside the palace, before her elimination, Chahat had consistently dismissed the romantic framing. When Sapna Chaudhary jokingly suggested she visit Rajat’s house after the show, Chahat replied clearly: “Maine Rajat ko pehle hi reject kar diya tha” “I had already rejected Rajat long ago” and followed it with the remark “Rajat ke paas toh dil hi nahi”. This in-house rejection of the narrative was broadcast on air but did not slow down fan shipping, with the “RaHat” hashtag continuing to trend across social media throughout the competition’s run.
Rajat’s Own Denial on The 50
Rajat Dalal also directly addressed the rumours while still inside the palace after Chahat’s elimination. When Nikki Tamboli informed him that “his girl” Chahat had been eliminated, Rajat responded by pointing toward Sapna Chaudhary and asking: “Didi se pucho, kya main non-Jaat se shaadi kar sakta hu?” to which Sapna gestured a firm “no”. Sources say this response was interpreted differently by different sections of the fanbase some reading it as a practical refusal and others seeing it as deflection rather than a genuine denial.
Also Read: You Won’t Believe the Educational Degrees of The 50 Top 4 Finalists!
Chahat Pandey and Rajat Dalal Relationship: A Bigg Boss 18 Timeline
The Chahat Pandey and Rajat Dalal relationship speculation did not begin with The 50 it originated during their shared appearance on Bigg Boss 18 in late 2024, where fan accounts began creating viral reels from their interactions:
- Bigg Boss 18 (late 2024): First shipping of “RaHat” begins on social media based on Rajat and Chahat’s in-house interactions
- Bigg Boss 18, Weekend Ka Vaar (December 2024): Rajat confirms he has a girlfriend in his life while on Bigg Boss 18, and shows a photograph to journalist Saurabh during the Weekend Ka Vaar
- Post-Bigg Boss 18 (early 2025): Rajat uploads a self-made video on YouTube explicitly calling Chahat “like my younger sister”
- Bigg Boss 18, Bollywood Shaadis interview (January 2025): Chahat states she “was vibing with Rajat as a friend” but “could not trust him” and did not form a romantic bond
- The 50 (February 2026): In-house proximity rekindles fan speculation; “bhaiya-bhabhi” nickname assigned by housemates
- February 19, 2026: Chahat eliminated in Episode 19’s five-person eviction
- February 21-22, 2026: Chahat breaks silence in post-elimination interviews
Digvijay Named Her True Friend
In the same post-elimination interview series, Chahat Pandey specifically named Digvijay Rathee as her most genuine friend from The 50, praising his response to her elimination. She stated: “Nobody knew that five contestants would be eliminated at once. When I left the show, Digvijay took a stand for me. Rajat asked everyone what went wrong that Chahat was eliminated and Digvijay also spoke for me. A true friend is someone who takes a stand even in your absence”. This acknowledgement of both Digvijay and Rajat’s post-elimination concern for her was notable given the context of her simultaneous denial of the romantic angle.
Her Family’s Distress
One of the most significant disclosures in Chahat’s post-elimination statements was her acknowledgement that the romantic rumours had directly affected her family, particularly her mother. She described how her mother was upset by the viral circulation of her name being linked romantically with Rajat, and framed this family impact as a central reason why she wanted the narrative corrected publicly. The mention of her mother’s distress was specifically highlighted by TellyTalkIndia in their interview caption, calling it one of the most personal revelations of her post-show statements.
She Slams Khanzaadi
In the same round of post-elimination interviews, Chahat Pandey also directly responded to allegations made by Khanzaadi the rapper and Bigg Boss OTT 3 alumna who claimed after her own earlier elimination that The 50’s makers had manipulated her image. Chahat challenged Khanzaadi’s allegations by questioning why those moments Khanzaadi referenced were never visible in any broadcast footage if they genuinely occurred. Insiders say this counter-statement positions Chahat as one of the first eliminated contestants to publicly push back against Khanzaadi’s narrative rather than validate it.
The “Victim Card” Debate
Chahat Pandey’s own journey inside The 50 was not without its own controversies, with Urban Asian reporting on February 9, 2026, that a section of viewers had accused her of playing a “victim card” during a specific confrontation with Rajat Dalal. When Rajat confronted her over an alleged statement that he should “go to hell,” Chahat reportedly responded with tears and invoked a promise on her mother rather than providing a direct factual answer. This incident drew criticism from viewers who felt the emotional response was a deflection tactic rather than a genuine reaction.
Who Is Chahat Pandey
Chahat Pandey is a television actress and social media personality who became nationally known through her participation in Bigg Boss 18 in late 2024 before entering The 50. Her entertainment career spans television serials and digital content creation, though her reality show appearances have significantly expanded her public profile and follower base. Her post-elimination media presence across Free Press Journal, Moneycontrol, News18, and TellyTalkIndia confirms she remains one of the more media-active contestants from The 50’s eliminated group as of February 23, 2026.
Rajat made a public YouTube video calling Chahat his younger sister after Bigg Boss 18 and yet the same narrative of romantic speculation followed both of them into an entirely different show a year later. Do you think the “RaHat” shipping was driven by genuine on-screen chemistry or entirely manufactured by fan accounts and selective editing?