Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; December 19, 2016)

Rahul Dev who was evicted from Bigg Boss 10 last week is a relieved man. He says he had enough of the house! “Lot of things have happened outside like demonetization. I have a company to run and several other responsibilities, that I will have to take care of now. I have a 80-year-old mother and 92-year-old father to take care of. Also, my son who is studying abroad is coming on the 19th so everything has fallen into place,” says Rahul. He, however, is glad that he who never could even boil water can now cook a good meal right from chopping vegetables to making a dish. “I cooked for 12 people for two-and-a-half days and also know to make coffee now,” he smiles.

The constant refrain about him in the house was he was lazy and could not take a stance. Even host Salman Khan called him out on that. Was he hurt by the comments? “No, because Salman always heard me out. I told him there and then, that I can’t plot and scheme, and can be entertaining to a certain extent.” However, in the next few week, Rahul perked up and even did an act spoofing Swami Om that got him a lot of applause. “Yes, but it was an act created out of a situation. And that’s what I do for a living,” he shrugs it off. As for Salman, Rahul says he has been extremely magnanimous. “He took me to his chalet and even promised me a job,” he grins.

About him being biased and supportive of Bani against Om Swami but not Lopa, he says, “Bani is clear that she does not like Om Swami, but Lopa herself is confused. On the one hand, she says he looks at her inappropriately and on the other he is the one oiling her hair and putting her to sleep!”

What prompted him to be a part of the show? “I had taken a three-and-a-half year break from films because I lost my wife Rina and had to take care of my son. I gave importance to parenting over everything else and went back to Delhi. Now, when I had to make a comeback, Bigg Boss was the best platform to give me that visibility.”

Rahul has found love again with Mugdha Godse and the two participated in Power Couple, too. Is he planning to take their relationship to the next level? “I can’t say about marriage right now, but Mugdha is extremely special. I am glad she is a part of my life,” he says.