The high voltage drama inside the Bigg Boss Tamil 2 house seems never-ending as the housemates leave no stone unturned to take revenge on each other. Television personality Mamathi Chari was the first one to get eliminated, followed by voice trainer Ananth Vaidyanathan, Nithya, singer NSK Ramya, model Shariq Hassan, actor Ponnambalam and RJ Vaishnavi Prasad.
Sixty plus days had gone by, and Vijayalakshmi Feroz of Chennai 28 fame stepped into the house as a wild-card entrant. Evicted celebrity-contestants speak to TNM about their stay at the controversial Bigg Boss house.
NSK Ramya, singer
As much as I enjoyed being on the show, I had to admit it was equally stressful. I am quite an emotional person, and when things go wrong, I’d like to sort them out in an amicable way. I don’t encourage petty fights and arguments.
To be honest, I feel glad that I was eliminated at the right time. Initially, it was nice -- knowing each other and participating in tasks. But eventually, I found myself tired of the drama. It became too much to handle. Whatever the audience witnessed was 40 per cent of the fight. Because the channel runs content only for an hour or so. But actually, it would happen for seven to eight hours.
I follow the show even now, and I think it has gotten worse post my exit. For example, I really don’t think it is right to empty a dustbin on someone. I was shocked to see that on television. Till this date, I wonder why Aishwarya Dutta had to do that to Balaji. I am sure it would have been humiliating to him. Yes, it was a task, but she could have approached it in a dignified way. Like, she could have made Balaji say ‘sorry’ to her a hundred times.
The biggest challenge was to stay away from negativity. Usually, I call people and rant on the phone when I am upset. But, I couldn’t do all that inside the house. Trust me, I don’t well up easily, but I didn’t know why I cried in front of the camera. Also, I don’t lose my cool in general. And, there had been instances where I lost it completely.
Though I am an established singer, I should confess people now recognise me more. I’m humbled by their love and affection. Be it on Instagram or Facebook, there’s so much positivity. I make sure I read all the comments and ‘like’ them. That’s the least thing I could do for my fans, who remained supportive throughout my stay.
Ananth Vaidyanathan, actor-voice trainer
For someone like me who’s shy, being at the house was a huge challenge. I was reluctant to accept the offer in the beginning because I knew I was not a people’s person. Then, slowly I adapted myself to the environment.
The first 72 hours was unbearable. When you remain silent, you’re normally perceived to be arrogant. (Smiles) Of course, I expected I’d get eliminated soon! My age was another issue; I wasn’t playing the game. Also, I didn’t create an opportunity for the camera to focus on me, unlike the rest. I was a mere spectator.
But I learned a huge life-lesson being there -- that -- you’ve no control over your life no matter what. And, you've got a choice to simply react or respond to a situation. The journey was spectacular because I got to know different people. I’m happy to have met Ponnambalam in particular. He has a lot of wisdom. Though I could connect with others overall, I felt a part of myself was missing because I was cut off from the world -- no newspapers and mobile phones.
Being monitored by the camera wasn’t an issue at all. Don’t you think life is weird when someone gets to record everything and run it in front of your eyes for just an hour? (Laughs) For now, my focus is on the new singing academy I’ve started.
Shariq Hassan, model-aspiring actor
I’m kind of relieved that I left the house because, at some point, I didn’t know what was happening. There were too many bitter moments and fights. I talk a lot in general, but I kept things to myself on the show because I wasn’t comfortable. I didn’t know how to handle them.
Ponnambalam and Balaji kept dragging my parents for everything, and I wasn’t okay with that. I didn’t talk back because I wasn’t raised like that. I was taught to obey elders. There was this task, and I had to behave in a rude way to Mumtaz. I regret it because she’s like my mother. We used to fight, but she’s very caring. Kovama irundhaalum, avunga tea pottu Yashika kitta kuduthu viduvaanga! (Even if she's angry, she will make tea and send it through Yashika!)
Undoubtedly, the show has changed me as a person. Now, I open up to people easily. Moreover, I didn’t think I’d sustain this long because I hadn’t lived without my phone and friends. (Laughs) One thing is for sure, I had a great experience and learned some important lessons -- who your friends are, who aren’t, how to be independent, and make key decisions in life. I’m listening to scripts, and movie offers are coming my way. Before you ask me about Aishwarya Dutta, I’d like to clarify that we’re still good friends, and will always be. (Smiles)
Ponnambalam, actor-stunt choreographer
I don’t participate in any of the TV shows, but I agreed to be a part of Bigg Boss Tamil 2 because of my daughter. It has been an incredible experience yet unbelievable. Everyone on the show called me ‘Chithappa’, and I believe I truly lived up to it.
It’s difficult to understand the mindset of today’s youngsters because they’ve changed so much -- their attitude, approach to life and so on. That’s why I had a lot of hiccups with Aishwarya Dutta-Yashika gang.
I might have been accused of being rude to them, but my intentions were genuine. I want those kids to do well in the future. My experience in the house once again reminded me that the parents today have challenges their parents and grandparents didn’t have during those days.