Shalin Bhanot opens up about his experience with Bigg Boss 16; says, “I went through an emotionally tough phase”
Shalin Bhanot although didn’t win Bigg Boss 16 was perhaps one of the most-talked-about contestants of the show. His ever-changing equations with the women in the Bigg Boss house became a topic of discussion inside and outside the house. The actor was labeled fake by other inmates and was imitated for his gestures.
Shalin talked about it in a recent interview and shared, “I am proud to be an actor. Call me a joker, but I will do anything to entertain the audience. I am finally being called an actor. What more could I ask for? I have been acting for a decade, and it’s natural for it to reflect in my mannerisms. Having said that, ever since I stepped out of the house, everyone has been telling me that I was real and played from the heart. I did a lot of things that seemed caricaturish, but those who know me are aware that’s how I am. Main nautanki bhi karta hoon, cross-dressing bhi karta hoon aur dance bhi kar deta hoon achaanak. Maybe, the people inside the house didn’t know this about me. Everyone was also getting frustrated with me for not getting affected by their jokes on me, and that eventually turned into bullying. I went through a difficult phase emotionally. It was quite ugly.”
When asked if he felt that a romantic angle would help him surge ahead on the show, he replied, “I don’t function like that. If I was so desperate to be on the show, I wouldn’t have announced that I wanted to leave weeks before the finale. The show is beautiful, but the people inside create ugly situations. I never had any game plan and I have not said anything derogatory about anyone. I am proud of my friendship with Sumbul, she is a nice girl. Tina and I were friends, too. She was caring and nice to me,” he replies, adding, “We were trying to understand each other, and whatever happened was very organic. Whatever there was between us was real, and I won’t give it a tag. However, I realized that every friendship that I had forged in the house was backfiring. So, after a point, I just wanted to co-exist happily with everybody and not become friends.”
When asked about his ex-wife Dalljiet Kaur who is tying the knot with UK-based Nikhil Patel in March, Shalin said, “I am yet to meet and talk to her. I am very happy for her. May God bless her and give her all the happiness she deserves. It’s normal for people to move on, and they should give life another chance. Some adjustments need to be made and that’s okay.”
Upon being asked if he will too like to give another chance to love and marriage, Shalin said, “Love is what I already have of my parents and siblings. I am giving myself another chance… but with myself.” he replied with a smile.