Showing posts with label Bigg Boss OTT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bigg Boss OTT. Show all posts
Bigg Boss OTT: Akanksha Puri-Jad Hadid's kiss enrages not just viewers, but host Salman Khan too
8:19 AM
Akanksha-Jad locking lips on screen has enraged not just viewers, but host Salman Khan, too
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 6, 2023)
As a part of a task, actors Akanksha Puri and Jad Hadid locking lips on last week’s Bigg Boss OTT 2 episode did not go well with the viewers. As the clip went viral, host, actor Salman Khan apologized to the audience, slammed the contestants and even threatened to quit if it happened again. Puri, who has been evicted from the house since, told a portal in an interview: “I did it and I am happy I kissed and I won [the task].”
Now, some former inmates of the Bigg Boss house are calling out the makers for not removing the scene from the final cut.
Actor Arshi Khan, who has appeared on multiple seasons of the reality show, feels: “There should be a limit to everything”. “Earlier, when I teased (actor) Hitten Ttejwani, without making it obscene, the audience loved it. Later, (actor) Rakhi Sawant did the same with (actor) Abhinav Shukla and went overboard.”
Singer Neha Bhasin, a contestant on Bigg Boss 15 and its OTT version, points out that makers should have controlled the live feed. “The makers had the choice to not show something they were later going to shame the contestants for. Instead, they packaged it... To first promote it and then condemn is a great strategy [to grab attention],” she shares.
Actor Pavitra Punia, who found love during her stint in Bigg Boss 14, blames the makers for minting mileage from the “drama”. She feels that makers should have acted responsibly: “They show one hour from a total footage of 24 hours. Why highlight the kiss? Why not edit it out?”
For actor Nishant Singh Malkani, who was seen in Bigg Boss 14, this gimmick reflected desperation for “15 minutes of fame”. “It’s making them cross the moral lines,” he says, adding, “The makers could put the kiss in the final cut because it is being streamed on OTT, otherwise TV pe toh nahin dikha paate.”
Actor Zeeshan Khan, who was seen in the first season of Bigg Boss OTT, shares, “Nowadays, the concept of entertainment for people is a little twisted. Rebel banne ke chakkar mein, they go against values. Earlier, it was entertainment for everyone, now, it’s becoming unfit for family viewing.”
The audience enjoys the fights on Bigg Boss, but is smart enough to call out those who are being fake-Salman Khan
9:39 AM
Salman Khan, who makes his web debut with Bigg Boss OTT 2, says authenticity remains key to winning the reality show
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 27, 2023)
No one knows Bigg Boss better than Salman Khan. The reality show has become as much about the superstar, who has hosted 13 of its 16 seasons so far, as about the contestants and controversies. Which is why it is only fitting that when it came to foraying into digital entertainment, Khan chose to do it with the popular offering. Earlier this month, Bigg Boss OTT season 2 kicked off with Pooja Bhatt, Cyrus Broacha, Aaliya Siddiqui, Bebika Dhurve, Avinash Sachdev and others as contestants, and the widely loved host reprising his role.
So, how does it feel to be an intrinsic part of the reality show for 13 years? As the host, Khan says he has had a ringside view to its evolution over the years. But more importantly, he has keenly noticed how the audience has grown with it.
“Bigg Boss has made the audience smart. In the show, it is all about being real—good or bad does not matter, that’s for the audience to judge. But to stay on the show, you must be 100 per cent real. The audience enjoys the drama and fights, but is smart enough to call out those who are being fake,” says the actor-host.
Making his web debut with Bigg Boss OTT was a no-brainer for Khan. The actor explains that the show is all about entertainment and perfectly aligns with his creative sensibilities. “Our country is always looking for non-stop entertainment. This season will be raw and unfiltered, just like me. The show and I are a perfect case of Ram milaye jodi.”
What makes the Jio Cinema offering different from its previous instalments is that it is a 24-hour live-streaming affair. Unlike its toned-down television counterpart, the OTT version is “unfiltered”. At the launch, Khan—who has built a loyal family audience over the decades and is among the few Hindi stars to have a no-kissing on screen clause—had asserted that despite the show’s no-holds-barred approach, he will ensure that it follows “our culture”.
Prod him on the subject, and he says, “I think there should be censorship on the OTT medium. All this vulgarity, nudity, gaali [expletives] should stop. Kids as young as 15-16 years are able to watch it. You have done it all—lovemaking, kissing and exposing in scenes. And when you enter your building, your watchman has also seen your work. The content should be checked. It was way too much before, ab thoda control mein aaya hai [after web platforms have begun classifying their content into age-based groups]. Now, people have started working on good content.”
I agree I am known as a star wife. I have never denied that, says Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s estranged wife, Aaliya
8:56 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 20, 2023)
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s estranged wife, Aaliya, who is a contestant in the ongoing reality show, Bigg Boss OTT Season 2. said that Nawaz supported her decision to participate and also “chose to take care of our children”. During her introduction on the show, Aaliya acknowledged that her identity has been limited to being ‘Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s wife’.
She said, “I agree I am known as a star wife. I have never denied that. So many problems cropped up in my marriage that I wanted to make something of my own. This show provided me the perfect platform to create an identity of my own.”
Speaking of her marital issues, Aaliya — who shares two children, daughter Shora and son Yaani — with the actor, added, “When there is no respect in your relationship, that relationship weakens. I know with what difficulties I have spent last 19 years... I want to end all the troubles I have had in my married life and that’s why I am here.”
The former couple has been making headlines for the past few months, after Aaliya made allegations of harassment against Nawaz and his family. The two agreed to a settlement about their property dispute. Recently, Aaliya admitted to have moved on with a “mystery man”.
I want to get married, have babies and also do a lot of work-Shamita Shetty
8:16 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; February 4, 2022)
Shamita Shetty feels that her recent stint on Bigg Boss has helped her step out of her sister, Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s shadow. The actress, who found love during the OTT version of the show, is now looking for interesting acting offers. In a candid chat, she spoke about her journey on the reality show, her feud with co-contestant Tejasswi Prakash and wedding plans. Excerpts:
Inside the Bigg Boss 15 house recently, you expressed the desire to get married this year. the cards?
This is just my way of manifesting something that I want. During the pandemic, I realised that it was time to find a companion as it was getting very lonely for me. So yes, I want to get married, have babies and also do a lot of work. I want the universe to make all these things happen for me. On my birthday (February 2), Raqesh planned a surprise for me. After a long time, I celebrated my birthday with my companion. I am happy and grateful to be out of the Bigg Boss house after nearly six months, and I am excited about my journey from here on.
In the finale, your eviction seemed to come as a shock to you. Were you expecting to lift the trophy?
I will be lying if I say that I wasn’t disappointed with my eviction. I really couldn’t understand it, and I expected to be in the top two. But when I got out of the house and heard people cheering for me, it was overwhelming. The kind of love that I am receiving from people outside the house now, I think that is my victory. There is no point in winning the trophy and having people question it.
How do you look back at the age-shaming incident involving Tejasswi Prakash, who called you aunty?
When you stand for women’s empowerment, you have to be careful about what you say and how you say it to another woman. When that comment was made (aunty uss pe chadh gayi), I was playing a certain character, and I was a woman performing a task. I have given my 100 per cent to every task I performed. I don’t know what Tejasswi was trying to say or imply, but given the situation, it was wrong. Her true colours would come out in the tasks. I always saw the worst in her every time she was pushed into a difficult situation or wasn’t given what she expected. Yes, I am my nephew and niece’s aunt, but in what context was I called an aunt on national television? She was unapologetic about it, and even after she had apologised, she was trying to justify it. It shows her upbringing and not mine. Anyway, I have forgiven her for saying it.
During the show, you were heard saying that you want to step out of your sister’s shadow. Have you been able to achieve that?
Absolutely! As I said, my victory is something else. I have managed to do what I wanted to by going inside the house. I have received more than I expected. I have surprised myself.
Besides films, you acted in a web show before you signed this reality show. Do you think this stint will help you get better acting offers?
I hope it does. This is something I want, but there is no point running after something if that is not in my destiny. I enjoy acting and would love to do web series. I hope somebody out there believes in me enough to come to me with something nice. In fact, if a good TV show comes my way, especially a finite series, I would love to give it a shot.
Shamita Shetty is much better without me in the Bigg Boss house-Raqesh Bapat
8:05 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; January 26, 2022)
Shamita Shetty recently on Bigg Boss 15 said that she wanted to get married this year. Before entering the house, Shamita and Raqesh Bapat made their relationship official. The two had met on Bigg Boss OTT, which took place last year. Raqesh, too, entered BB15 as a wild card, but had to opt out due to health reasons.
In a recent candid chat with us, he spoke about his equation with Shamita. When we asked him about her statement on marriage, he said, “Whatever decision is taken, it will be taken by both of us and with a clear mind. It is important that we spend time together because I agree with her that we haven’t got much time to spend together to gauge things. So, let’s hope for the best.”
Some time ago, Rakhi Sawant and Salman Khan were seen pulling Shamita’s leg and teasing her with Karan Kundrra. To that, Shamita had said, “Don’t do this, even Raqesh may not like this.”
When asked about this, Raqesh said “I laugh when such things happen. When two people are secure in a relationship, these things don’t matter. I understand that house and the way things happen there, so I take it as a joke. Such things don’t bother me.”
Raqesh is proud of Shamita for how she has conducted herself inside the Bigg Boss house. “I have always said that Shamita is a woman of substance. She is very transparent. After a long time, I have met someone who is so clear about things. She’s doing very well in the Bigg Boss house. She’s real. We both like to stay real, which is why we got along during Bigg Boss OTT. I understand that it gets difficult inside sometimes for her, and I wish I could’ve been there with her. But on her own too, she’s very good and I am very proud of her for the way she’s handling things. For me, she is the winner.”
Does he feel that his presence in the show could have further boosted Shamita’s chances of becoming a winner? “I think she is much better without me in the house. Otherwise, it would have been about ShaRa (Shamita and Raqesh), but here she is showing her individuality. So without me, too, she is strong enough to fight her battles. I am definitely there for her in spirit.”
Neha Bhasin hits out at age-shaming in Bigg Boss
8:12 AM
How does it matter if a person is 20 or 40, asks the singer
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 13, 2021)
Neha Bhasin, who was recently seen in Bigg Boss OTT (BB OTT), has been following Bigg Boss 15 (BB 15). She even put up a post on social media recently supporting Shamita Shetty and Pratik Sehajpal, her BB OTT co-contestants. Neha said, “I see the show in bits and pieces, and sometimes my fan pages tag me on some things. I am in touch with Shamita’s mother, too. I keep myself updated on what's happening in Bigg Boss 15.”
Referring to the age-shaming that seems to be rampant on the show, the singer said, “Firstly, we are told that we are all equal in the show. So, it shouldn’t matter whether a person is 20 or 40. But people’s ages are regularly brought up. I feel that age shaming happens more to women than men. I saw Shamita getting age shamed on BB OTT. People would call her chachi and say that she was old enough to be their mother. In BB 15, she was called aunty by Karan Kundrra. There are others who say such things as well.”
Neha added, “I don’t appreciate such ageshaming comments, which is why I addressed the issue on my social media handle. Even when I had come out of the BB OTT house, I was called aunty, daadi, buddhi, tharki, etc. Why would anyone use such words to age shame me? When we were kids, we would address our elders as uncle and aunty out of respect.”
So, what did she think of Pratik’s game on the show? “Everyone told me that Pratik mellowed down in BB OTT because of me, so I guess audiences should enjoy watching him being aggressive on BB 15. I suppose people want to see him that way. Having said that, I also feel that he is getting bullied on the show currently. BB OTT contestants were sent as troublemakers (sankat) for the new contestants living in a jungle set-up. So, he’s just doing his job. But one against 13 people is a little unfair. I do feel bad for him, but in BB, one has to play on the front foot, especially when everyone is against them,” she said.
For those unversed, Shamita and Pratik had a tiff on BB 15 given their different ways of handling situations. Neha, who is a friend to both, said, “Even in BB OTT, they didn’t get along at the beginning. Later, when I was Pratik’s connection, they started talking. I was the common link, which is why they were somehow cordial to each other. I don’t think they ever got along then as well, and their differences now don’t surprise me at all. I also feel that the new contestants are playing Shamita and she hasn’t realised that yet.”
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CONTESTANTS WHO WERE AGE-SHAMED IN BIGG BOSS HOUSE
SIDHARTH SHUKLA
Winner of Bigg Boss 13, late Sidharth Shukla may have been the most popular contestant, but even he was age-shamed. Mahira Sharma, after a fight with Sidharth, called him ‘buddha’. She received serious backlash for her comment.
EIJAZ KHAN
In season 14, Eijaz was age-shamed. On one occasion, during a task, Rahul Vaidya commented on his age saying, “Bhaago mat, umar ke liye achcha nahi hai (Don't run, it’s not good for your age).”
SONALI PHOGAT
Bigg Boss 14 contestant Sonali Phogat, who was also age-shamed on the show, later in an interview, said, “I don’t understand this. If I have aged, does that mean I can’t work in the industry?”
KASHMERA SHAH
Kashmera, who was a guest on Bigg Boss 13, got into arguments with co-contestant Nikki Tamboli for various reasons. Later, during one of the nominations, Nikki took Kashmera’s name and said that she did not reply to the latter’s comments as she respects her because of her age. Kashmera didn’t like the fact that Nikki made a comment about her age while nominating her and also broke down into tears after the incident.
SHEFALI JARIWALA
Paras Chhabra and Shefali Jariwala did not get along in the Bigg Boss 13 house. The former age-shamed her by calling her a cougar, after which Shefali’s husband Parag Tyagi slammed Paras on social media and Gauahar Khan, too, supported him.
I have just got out of a marriage; I don’t want to get into one again-Raqesh Bapat
8:07 AM
The actor says he wants his relationship with actress Shamita Shetty to grow organically
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; October 6, 2021)
Raqesh Bapat and Shamita Shetty’s bond has extended beyond Bigg Boss OTT that the two recently participated in. Post the show, they were spotted in public, sparking rumours that their romance is turning serious. Currently, Shamita is locked up again in the Bigg Boss house, but Raqesh isn’t a part of this show. In a candid chat, he spoke to us about their equation.
Raqesh said, “My connection with Shamita is more than just a connection made on the show; it is not fake. She was my support system throughout the show. Luckily, she chose me as her connection in the first episode and it was good to have each other’s back throughout the Bigg Boss OTT journey. You just know that there is somebody standing by you, and that is what one needs in that chaos.”
Talking about what he likes best about Shamita, he said, “She is a lovely person, I like her, and her vibes are very correct. I genuinely feel that she is a straightforward person, who has strong opinions. She is very expressive, unlike me. I am a little shy in expressing anything. I am a thinker and like to weigh the pros and cons and then express myself.”
Ask Raqesh, who got divorced from actress Riddhi Dogra two years ago, if marriage is on the cards and he said, “Marriage? No. I have just got out of one and don’t want to get into one again so soon. Let’s see, I will give it some time. Shamita and I didn’t meet a lot since I am in Pune where I have my business to look after. I am taking our relationship organically now; I just want to give it some time. It is too early to say anything. We both want to get to know each other better because if any decision has to be made, it has to be well thought.”
Quite active in Marathi films, Raqesh is happy with his work in regional cinema. Talking about it, he said, “Marathi cinema has such good content, but unfortunately its reach is less. Unlike Punjabi and South cinema where the reach is much larger, Marathi cinema needs a commercial push. The budget is small and it is as per the return pattern. Fortunately, I have just completed a Marathi period film that has been made on a big canvas. I play the main negative lead. We are now waiting for it to get released in cinema halls.”
He started his career in Hindi films, but somewhere things clearly didn't’ shape up the way he would liked them to. Talking about this, he said, “I did Tum Bin when I was just 20 and hardly knew anything about acting. I was just a director’s puppet at that time. I was not a trained actor. Somewhere, I have been on the backseat because I did not get the right kind of offers. I am also not too ambitious; I’m a very chilled out person. I have been floating around pretty well, plus there are businesses that I’m involved in that keep me busy, apart from acting. I have also started my own production house. My back-up plan in life has helped me be choosy.”
Right now, there’s nothing between Shamita Shetty and I-Raqesh Bapat
8:09 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 1, 2021)
A recent cosy picture shared by actor Raqesh Bapat made waves, as everyone assumed it was him making his romance with actor Shamita Shetty Instagram official. However, Bapat clarifies that there is nothing to confirm just yet.
Prod him further if there’s a formal announcement coming anytime soon and he exclaims, “Oh my God, no way! Right now, there’s nothing. It’s a very good bond, and we’re cherishing that. We don’t want to put ourselves under any pressure... If things have to happen, let them happen organically. If there’s anything in the future, we’re not going to be quiet about it.”
Bapat and Shetty came close after they recently participated in an OTT reality show, and fans wondered if Cupid had struck. Soon after, a nickname, #ShaRa, was coined for the two. Their appearances together have also added fuel to the fire, especially when Bapat shared a picture holding Shetty’s hand on a dinner date, along with a heart emoji.
“The dinner was just to celebrate our bond together. What’s the confirmation? I don’t understand,” he quips, and continues, “We were just sitting in a restaurant. It was a good ambience. We had planned to go out for dinner someday, and we did. I just captured the moment.”
Opening up about his “bond” with Shetty, the Qubool Hai actor shares, “There’s a lot of understanding and mutual respect. We care for each other. We are each other’s support system and that’s what’s needed in any bond. When we were inside the [reality show’s] house, we didn’t think we were doing something deliberately. It just happened. You can’t cheat that.”
Ranveer Singh is over-the-top, unfiltered; would make for a great co-host on Bigg Boss OTT, says Karan Johar
8:17 AM
Enjoying his new role as Bigg Boss OTT host, Karan Johar says Ranveer Singh’s flamboyant nature makes him perfect to co-host reality show
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 16, 2021)
By its very nature, Bigg Boss is as much about the entertainment provided by the host as it is about the friction between the contestants. Karan Johar, who is hosting Bigg Boss OTT that premiered on Voot last week, has not been disappointed on that count. From quipping about how he would “always be overdressed, even while sleeping” if he were a contestant, to keeping the housemates in check with his sarcastic remarks, the filmmaker-host has lent a playful and cheeky flavour to the show.
As much as he is enjoying his new role, Johar says Ranveer Singh will be a great co-host for the controversial reality show. “Ranveer is a powerhouse of energy and entertainment in Bollywood and is a treat to watch and interact with. He would fit in well because he is over-the-top, unfiltered, and is his real self. [These elements] are required for the show,” says the filmmaker.
The reality show, which sees Shamita Shetty, Neha Bhasin and Ridhima Pandit, among others, as contestants will have a six-week run online before Salman Khan takes the baton for the television outing.
I will have FOMO if I were to stay away from my kids-Karan Johar
8:38 AM
Ahead of taking on duties as show host, filmmaker says fact of staying away from kids will keep him from turning participant
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 2, 2021)
Karan Johar’s delight at turning host of the reality TV show Bigg Boss is palpable. An avid consumer of the offering, Johar will replace Salman Khan for the OTT leg that precedes its televised airing. But, while like every other consumer, Johar too would probably spend his days analysing the participants’ performance, would he consider becoming one, if the opportunity arose?
“I won’t be able to,” pat comes his reply. “My biggest fear is staying away from my kids, [Roohi and Yash]. I can’t imagine spending weeks without them because I will have FOMO if I were to stay away from them. They are the source of my happiness, and not being around them for long will kill me.”
The revised template of the show will see them enter the house on August 8, as Johar takes to the Weekend Ka War segment for its OTT airing on VOOT. In the wake of the pandemic, contestants are expected to be tested twice before entering the house.
Check out the images of the Bigg Boss OTT house at Film City
8:15 AM
mid-day gets its hands-on pictures of Bigg Boss house at Film City; host Karan Johar, contestants to enter premises by August 8
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 31, 2021)
With only days to go before Karan Johar rings the curtain up on Bigg Boss OTT and adds a dash of "over-the-top drama" to the popular reality show, work on the Bigg Boss house is on in full swing. mid-day got a glimpse of the elaborate set that is being constructed at Film City in Goregaon. The art design team has lent a bohemian chic look to the house.
“A team of 50 workers are toiling in alternate shifts to complete the house in time. If all goes as per plan, the property will be ready by August 6,” reveals a source. The Voot Select show will see 15 contestants enter the house along with the filmmaker-host on August 8.
However, staying true to the format of the series, Johar will not be a resident, instead making regular appearances to interact with the housemates, check on them and take them to task when necessary. While Johar will bring his signature sass to the digital version of the reality show, superstar Salman Khan will continue to front the television series.
mid-day contacted Voot, which remained unavailable for comment.
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