Gautam Gulati’s journey in showbiz came full circle when he joined the judging panel for the 19th season of Roadies -- Karm Ya Kaand, the same reality show he had auditioned for around 17 years ago. He recalls, “Though my audition went well, I was rejected. So, when the makers offered me to join the show as a judge, I decided to take it up and check it off my list.”

The show has become a topic of discussion due to the ongoing and constant conflicts between Prince Narula and his co-judges Gautam and Rhea Chakraborty. Talking about his altercations with Prince, Gautam says, “I don’t understand what his problem is. I used to like him but that was before I witnessed his dual personality. He is short-tempered and is probably not happy about the presence of new judges. I overlooked his brash behaviour for as long as possible, but when he went overboard, I had a discussion with the channel. Even Salman Khan called him and told him that he was roped in as a judge and he should act like one. Though he apologized, he was soon back to his rude self. Some people don’t change. Aap badtamameezi kar lo, bolo ki aapki aukaat kya hai... he may believe its good for the show but I don’t agree with it. We have to consider the young viewers. Maybe, Prince likes doing all of that. It’s better to distance myself from him. I can’t stoop to his level. However, if he disrespects me again, I will take a strong step.”

He adds, “I am way senior to this guy. It’s fine not to respect your senior, but don’t disrespect him. He has won a few reality shows, and I have done 25 shows. However, I don’t believe in boasting or flaunting my achievements or wealth, as it is against my principles. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what was happening on the show, and I found it shallow. Maybe, my presence is becoming a problem for him. If he feels intimidated by me, it’s not my problem. He can claim that the show is an emotion for him, but I believe I am more dedicated and committed to it.”

Talking about his journey in showbiz, after winning Bigg Boss 8 (2015), Gautam took a break from daily soaps to focus on films. However, his Bollywood career didn’t take off the way it was expected to. 

Ask him about it, and he replies, “I am not desperate for work and prioritize quality over quantity. Besides, filhaal bade badon ki films nahin chal rahi hain. Risk lekar hain mujhe bhi koi kaam nahi karna. I will wait to take up a project that resonates with me. Everyone knows how difficult it is for an outsider to make a breakthrough in films. Earlier, I was a bit impulsive and would take up projects only to eventually realize that either my role was reduced or the film didn’t release. It was a difficult phase but I chose not to blame anyone. Currently, I am reading some scripts and hopefully will soon be seen on an OTT platform. In the meantime, I am focusing on my businesses. An actor must have an alternative source of income to avoid any financial difficulties.”

It was difficult to place him as a celebrity when he had entered the show, given his humble beginnings as a character actor on television. However, Gautam Gulati survived as many as 11 nominations to emerge the winner of the eighth season of Bigg Boss.

The actor says he had no particular agenda when he entered the house. “I went there for a new experience and personal growth. I wanted to entertain people and make new friends. I was proved wrong as they began targeting me. They began playing games during the first task, which I was not prepared for and I swore. They used that to their advantage and alienated me. That was the weakest phase, but it helped me connect with Bigg Boss then. I started speaking my mind, instead of succumbing to herd mentality on the show,“ he says.

So, what does he think worked in his favour? “My positivity, humanity and family values. The four-month long show was a compressed version of your whole life. The viewers get to see your real personality, no matter what you do to try and hide it,“ he says.

The one thing that will take a while to get erased from our memories is the kiss episode -not just with Diandra Soares, but also with Ali Quli Mirza. Gautam maintains that Diandra was and is just a friend and there can be nothing more than that between them. “Yes, I kissed her. Is that a crime?“ he asks, “It's natural to feel attracted to somebody and it's not wrong. She kissed me first, which I thought was quite daring. After that she teased me and called me a phattu. I kissed her to prove her wrong. One day, she dragged me inside the bathroom. We spent five minutes inside. The world is free to believe whatever they wish to, but the reality is that we just kissed. In retrospect, I regret going into the bathroom with Diandra. The impression was that she is my girlfriend, which was not the case. There was nothing between us and will never be so. I have always drawn a line in every relationship and I would never overstep that. We are just friends and there can be nothing beyond that. In fact, my mother is planning to get me married in a year's time.“

What about the smooch episode with Ali? “That was extremely annoying. At one point, I felt like slapping him hard, but had to control my temper. When he couldn't break me with his nasty comments, he started resorting to cheap tactics,“ he replies. Besides his flamboyance, it was his shirtless avatar that was a big hit with the female audience. It kept the temperature outside the house and his female fanbase increasing. “I have lost five kilos and have come out with a better body. I love to roam shirtless inside my house, which is exactly how I was on the show. Nigaar Khan didn't like it. I even asked her what world and century is she living in?“ he laughs.

There have been several occasions when Gautam seemed to have overreacted, one such instance being the suitcase task where they had to stand inside a cage pressing a button. He had stormed out of the cage when Ali spoke about homosexuality to provoke him as a part of his plan. “It wasn't the homosexuality comment that angered me. What ticked me off was that nobody came to my support or defence when Ali was making those nasty and below-the-belt comments,“ he says.

Many even felt that the actor was playing the sympathy card with all the crying in the house. “Never,“ denies Gautam, adding, “I felt so alone that I did break down on many occasions. How can a man cry so much just to fake it? Those were my real emotions. I am a strong guy and would never seek anybody's sympathy . There were times when the torture was so unbearable that I would blast.“

Ask him about his plan of action now and he replies, “No TV at the moment. I am getting some Bollywood offers. The show was like a movie that lasted four months and hence, it feels like a debut in Bollywood, already,“ he signs off.

Diya Aur Baati Hum star Gautam Gulati who was declared the winner of Bigg Boss Season 8 by Halla Bol host Farah Khan, wishes the other Khan, Salman, had been at the grand finale. “I really wanted Salman sir to present me with the trophy. Every Gen X Bollywod actor, be it Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan or Ranveer Singh, looks up to him. And I’ve been a crazy ‘Bhai’ fan since I was a child. I was shocked when he left the show prematurely,” sighs the 30-year-old actor.

Farah Khan was rooting for him, along with thousands of others, before she slipped into her role as an “impartial“ host.

Quiz Gautam on his chances and he reveals, “I had a gut feeling. I knew a month before the show ended that I'd win it. I was tortured for four months but never lost my cool. After the fight with Karishma Tanna, I was isolated but didn't lose hope. I clung on to Salman sir's words that 'Aapki zindagi iss ghar ke bahar hai, yahaan aap sirf insaan ya victory chose karte ho' after the incident,“ he reminisces.

Wild card entry, Ali Quli Mirza, also had a fistfight with him inside the house but once he stepped out, Ali's family, apologized for their 'tedha' son and congratulated him. So, all is well that ends well! However, he swears never to enter the Bigg Boss house again. “It has been the most traumatic experience of my life,“ he shudders. “I have cried more than I thought any man could. I will never go back.“

Film and TV offers have been flowing in, but he plans to promote his Hollywood project Coward (Darpok). It was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and is yet to release in India.

He says, “I want to take a break from TV. Bigg Boss has given me name, fame, money, everything. I now want to do films, I will release Darpok in India this year.“

The drama inside the Bigg Boss house has come to an end and it's not just the viewers who are going to miss it. Host Farah Khan will also crave her daily dose of entertainment. Excerpts from an interview with Farah before the grand finale of Bigg Boss Season 8 on Colors.

Who do you think should win? You have a favourite?
All the five finalists have provided the maximum content value and I'll be happy to see any of them win. Of course, we all have favourites. In Bigg Boss, things change fast. You may like someone in the beginning and by the third week, you start feeling the person is obnoxious. Or an unbearable person may not seem so bad later. The final winner is one whom people have chosen through voting.It's the public's choice.

When you just started hosting, were you nervous about stepping into Salman Khan's shoes?
I wasn't nervous. I was just excited because this is my favourite show. I have literally been a part of every season because I was totally into it as a viewer. Salman was always my favourite host. The way he hosts it and gives his own personal takes always makes for great viewing.

What's it about this show that you enjoyed - the voyeuristic format ?
It is voyeuristic. As a race, we are voyeuristic. This show is also a fascinating study of human behaviour - not just of the people inside but also of us - the voyeurs who are reacting from outside. We get involved in the drama... One day they are fighting, then they are kissing and finally, fighting again. It's an interactive show and you get drawn into it.

After you stepped in as host, you may have had people asking you about whether a lot of it is scripted...
A lot of people want to know strange things, including the fisherwoman from whom I buy fish. Somebody recently asked me, 'Karishma Tanna ka baal itna accha kaise rehta hai?' A show like this cannot be scripted. There could be triggers put in the house that may have the participants behave in a certain way. But their reactions are all spontaneous.

What did your fisherwoman ask you?
She wanted to know how they actually ate in the house and manage to stay. Of course, she gave me no discount on the fish for that! But this is a topic everyone likes. I had someone calling me from Canada to say that they did not approve of somebody's behaviour in the house and I just wanted to know from them how they got my number. This is the success of the show, that it's clearly kept people involved.

The TRPs of the show have been good. But were you anxious about it in the first week that you started?
Not at all. I have just enjoyed myself. I never take pressure about things I can't control. Anyway, all's well that ends well.

Would you ever want to be locked up inside the Bigg Boss house?
No! It's very tough. And the most difficult part is the work inside the house; the participants have to do everything by themselves. I'm sure after coming out, they will value their maids a lot more.

Bigg Boss will organise a date for the new couple, Upen Patel and Karishma Tanna, in the house and the estranged couple Rahul Mahajan and Dimpy Ganguly Mahajan. The men will be given a chance to buy a gift for their respective partners. Upen bought a ring for Karishma, while Rahul chose a sari for Dimpy. Says a source from the show, “Rahul mentioned that the sari reminded him of Dimpy's attire from their wedding.“ Apparently, Upen will leave the house immediately after the date.

Aarya Babbar seems to have found love this time around. The actor is in a relationship with Jasmine, a Ludhiana girl, for a year now and has been trying to keep it low-key.

However, a source close to the star son revealed details about the girl. “Jasmine is not from the industry. She moved to Mumbai some time back. She had even sent a stuffed toy to Aarya during his stay inside the Bigg Boss house.“

Apparently, Aarya's family has met Jasmine and blessed the couple. When asked if a wedding is on the cards, the source said, “We don't know about that, but going by the seriousness of the relationship, it may happen anytime soon.“

When contacted, Aarya refused to comment on the news.

Raj Babbar, who is enjoying his stint on the small screen with Pukaar, told us, “My prime concern while choosing TV was that I should do a role that matches my age and personality. And I'm glad I got something that suited me perfectly.“

On the home front, is it true that he is bride-hunting for son Aarya? “I think he has found love. He's introduced the girl to us and got s our acceptance. If he's ready, we will happily arrange his wedding,“ he says, and adds, “For now, he is working on a film that he wants to make.“

Upen Patel, who was recently evicted from Bigg Boss, will soon return to the house. Apparently, he approached the channel requesting for a second chance. Ask Upen about it and he says, “It feels great to go into the house again. Now, I will try my best to win the show.“ The once calm and composed actor showed his snappy side on the show during the last days of his stay. Is he a changed man now? “I am a very emotional person. Imagine losing your friends one after the other. Everybody reaches a breaking point. When I was nice, people called me names. When I became like one of them, they said that they prefer the previous Upen. They stepped back and stopped attacking me once I showed them that side.“

He had openly expressed his fondness for Karishma Tanna during his last days inside. Upen says, “Karishma and I supported each other. Given the situation inside the house, you grow close to a few people. Friendship is the foundation of all relationships,“ he says.

Model-turned actor Upen Patel, who made an exit from the Bigg Boss house, went straight to meet his good friend Aarya Babbar post eviction. “I will stay in touch with all the contestants. I have made only friends, no enemies. All the female contestants loved me. For 10 weeks at a stretch, I was never nominated and I believe everybody in the house - including Preetam, Ajaz, Dimpy, Ali - were saddened when I left."

Talking about his eviction, he said, “It was little different as it happened mid-week and that too, very late at night. Suddenly there was an announcement from Big Boss and we jumped into the coffins specially created for each of us. None of us knew what was about to follow. After some time my coffin was moved out of the house for me to realise that I was evicted. It was really surprising because I was hoping to come within top five as I thought that people liked me.“

So, who according to him has a chance to win? “I would definitely want my good friend Karishma Tanna to win. And there isn't any contestant who I want to lose because they are all deserving. They have managed to spend 15 weeks in the house which itself is a great achievement. Each one of them played a character. Everyday there was a new hero and a new villain.“