Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; January 1, 2019)

Dipika Kakar Ibrahim joined the list of television ‘bahus’ winning Bigg Boss, by lifting the trophy this season. While she was constantly accused of being fake and resembling her screen character (Simar of Sasural Simar Ka), the actress has always maintained that her reactions were pure and honest. Basking in the winning glory, the actress takes us through her equation with S Sreesanth, taking a stand (or not) during the show and how she wishes to spend the prize money. Excerpts…

People usually take up a show like Bigg Boss at a later stage in their career. What were your reasons for participating in it so early on?
My reason was definitely the money. Besides, it is the biggest reality show, and it could do wonders to my career. However, during the course of the show, I realised that I had to prove myself. A lot of questions were raised on the way I conducted myself inside the house.

I just want to say that whichever way I reacted, I didn’t do it with a wrong intention or to put anyone down. I must have definitely made mistakes, but I had the guts to own up to them. I was confident that the audience would make me win the show if I am right. That was my only focus throughout the show.

At what stage did you realise that you could win the show, despite having a tough competitor in Sreesanth?
I think it was after Shoaib (Ibrahim, husband) visited me inside the house. He held me and said, ‘People tell you things because they cannot reach where you are today or become like you’. That gave me the strength, because his words mean the world to me. I broke down on a many occasions, but I sailed through it all, thinking about Shoaib and my sister-in-law, Saba. I wanted to break the notion that Bigg Boss is all about fighting, putting each other down and abusing each other. That’s not true. It’s about being yourself, being good and honest. That is the only thing that kept me going.

TV bahus are always targeted for being fake or restricting themselves to the kitchen, which is often looked at a strategy to win the show...
I feel other contestants come with the agenda to put celebs down. Also, what’s wrong if I have inculcated some positive traits from a character that I have played? How can I be fake for three-and-a-half months? I can never fake and don’t need anyone’s approval on that. I was also accused of not performing tasks. I had clearly said it that I can’t get physical. I would have gone to Khatron Ke Khiladi if I had to do that. I have done tasks with whatever capabilities I had. The way I was on the show is how I am in real life — I don’t use bad language. Honestly, only bhai (Sreesanth) and I were our real selves on the show.

Many felt that you benefitted from your friendship with Sreesanth on the show...
People are free to say what they feel, because when you are shining, there is more criticism than appreciation. That makes you brighter and stronger. I took all the accusations head on. I have never planned anything in this house, including building a connect with somebody just because he was Sreesanth. It was very clear that bhai and I were very close and were there for each other throughout. I have been consistent in my behaviour on the show. I would always help everyone. Main tailor bhi bann gayi thi, main Surbhi (Rana) ke kapde alter karti thi.

What would you like to tell your detractors, who felt that you have won the trophy because of Sreesanth?
(Laughs!) I would just want to laugh it off and thank them. I feel that I have lived my journey. It has been more beautiful because bhai was there and I have some beautiful memories because I don’t have a biological brother. Itne saare viewers jinhone mujhe support kiya hai and jitaaya hai, it means mujh me hi kuchh khaas tha. Agar main unko (Sreesanth) pakad kar chal rahi hoti, toh viewers ko woh dikhaayi deta aur woh mujhe nahi, unko support karte.

Who is the one contestant you would not want to meet outside the house?
Romil Chaudhary, for sure. He would pretend to be extremely innocent at one point, and then he would show that he knows everything. I could never connect with him or like him. He wants to do things his way and is egoistic. I am allergic to such people.

What’s the plan now?
I would be visiting Ajmer Sharif with Shoaib. Woh meri mannat thi ki if I win... I want to go home and talk at length with ammi and Saba. I want to buy a home for Shoaib's parents, something that I had mentioned while entering the Bigg Boss house. It’s time to pay them back for whatever they have done for us. We have a lot of responsibilities on us and jitni jaldi hum kaafi cheezein settle kar paayenge, utni jaldi hum life mein aagey badh paayenge.