Unnati Joshi (BOMBAY TIMES; September 11, 2018)

With respect to Bigg Boss, we’re currently in the period of anticipation before the high-decibel period of the actual show begins. Even though everyone knows they won’t know anything till the final list of participants is announced, it hasn’t stopped the rumours from flying around — be it about the speculated twists, or the jodi theme. The 12th year of alliances, drama, backstabbing and of course, a few love stories, is about to kick off. So, while the freshers prepare for the big day, a few BB graduates share the lessons they learnt and tips that might be crucial for inmates to sail through the three-month journey in the house. Pay close attention!

DON’T IMITATE EX-WINNERS: SAMBHAVNA SETH
A Season Two contestant, Sambhavna Seth feels that just because a certain type of person has won a show before, it doesn’t mean the makers are looking for a similar contestant again. The actress’ survival tip is to be original. “You have to be yourself. If you are shouting and doing things for the camera and TRPs, it will not work. People want to see the real you. Kuch extra mat karo, agar aap ke andar masala hai, toh woh waise bhi dikhega,” she says, adding, “Bigg Boss mein mera ek hi side show hua, but now that I have a YouTube channel, people get to see all shades of my personality and they love me. So, it’s very important to be who you are. You can ape a former contestant for a day or two, but you’ll get tired eventually. And once you are tired, you will be out. People with dual personalities do not work.”

WHAT TO PACK: Lots of night suits, because jhagda raat ko bhi ho sakta hai


BE LOUD, MAKE NOISE: DELNAAZ IRANI
Delnaaz Irani, one of the top contestants of Bigg Boss Season 6, regrets being subdued on the show. Her survival tip is to be patient. She tells us, “My favourite contestant so far has been Shilpa Shinde. She fought, took a stand for herself, but she did all of this while entertaining the audience. I seriously feel that if she was in a season before mine, I would have learnt from her. And rather than being quiet and subdued, I would have done a few things that she did.” Having a thick skin and patience are the only ways one can survive, says Delnaaz. “If a contestant really wants to be a lambi race ka ghoda, they need to put their blinkers on. The key is to be patient and do your job to the best of your ability. People now know that if you make noise, you will last longer.”

WHAT TO PACK: Family photographs, they help during the difficult time


SALMAN KE SAATH BADTAMEEZI MAT KARNA: RAKHI SAWANT
Season One star Rakhi Sawant is still remembered for being loud and in-yourface. She says Bigg Boss should be taken as a life-changing opportunity, but come what may, never go against Salman Khan. “Ladai karo, jhagda karo,but be happy. Take this opportunity to make yourself and your life better, apni barbaadi mat karne jaao. Try to stay calm and never start a fight for the sake of fighting, par agar koi tumse jhagda kare, toh phir uska band baja do. I would also advise people to not misbehave with Salman Khan. Kyunki agar tumne Salman Khan ke sath badtameezi kari, aapko show se bhi nikaal diya jaayega aur film industry mein bhi no one will take a stand for you,” advises Rakhi.

WHAT TO PACK: A lot of swimming costumes


BE LOYAL TO YOUR FRIENDS: ARSHI KHAN
Apart from her sizzling nightgowns and noteworthy hairstyles, Arshi Khan (Season 11) was known as a loyal friend in the house. Her exit made almost every inmate cry. Ask her for a tip and she says, “You will have to be loyal and have loyal friends. The more loyal you are, the more people will love you. It’s also important to be active. Ab aap khud ko camera pe dikhane ke liye kya kya kar sakte hain, woh aap ke apne tareeke hain. Some fight, while others dance and enjoy, but at the end of the day, it’s all about being entertaining. Camera mein dikhna bhi zaroori hai. Ek jagah chup ho ke baithne wale toh nahi chal paayenge.”

And to commoners, her advice is, “Kabhi celebrity se conscious mat hona, jab aap ek baar ghar mein jaate hain, toh celebrity bann jaate hain. Salman bhi yahi hi kehte the.”

WHAT TO PACK: Hair straightener and dryer. Camera mein dikhna kaafi nahi hai, you have to also look good

LEARN TO COOK: PRINCE NARULA
Season Ten winner Prince Narula knows the trick of the trade. If his advice is something to go by, then having a personality of your own is a must to emerge victorious on the show. “Always take a stand and make sure that people are listening to you. You can get louder if needed, but being loud and shouting aren’t really important. Just be who you are. Make friends, have fun, perform and prove yourself. I had a lot of friends and I am friends with most of them even now. But that’s my personality. If you want to be with two-three people, that’s fine, too. Just have fun.”

He adds, “It’s also important to know basic cooking. Learn it before you enter the house. The kitchen is the place you will run to after every task because a lot of energy goes in them.”

WHAT TO PACK: Sportswear and perfume. You will need both when you perform tasks

DON’T BE LOUD UNNECESSARILY: VIKAS GUPTA
The ‘mastermind’ of Season 11, Vikas Gupta tells us that resilience is the key, and contrary to Delnaaz, feels that one does not have to be loud to be heard.

Warning the contestants, he says, “Don’t overdo it. Don’t try to do things so that you can be in front of the camera all the time. It’s not important to fight unnecessarily. There are hundreds of cameras recording everything, 24x7. Don’t be fake in the house,yeh work nahi karta hai wahan par. Ek, do, teen din kar loge, but after that, you won’t be able to keep up the act. I would suggest that people be positive — you will need a lot of positivity in the house. Be prepared to take knocks, but get up stronger.”

WHAT TO PACK: Warm clothes. It gets cold at times