Bigg Boss is notorious for its intense environment, often resulting in participants gaining immense popularity or facing severe trolling. Several celebrities have revealed their struggles with depression after leaving the show, leading them to seek therapy. Here’s a look at a few former contestants who discussed their need for therapy following their time on Bigg Boss.
1. Himanshi Khurana
Himanshi Khurana faced severe depression due to the negativity and trolling she encountered in the Bigg Boss house. She shared, “Entering the Bigg Boss house was seen as life-changing, but that wasn’t the reality. The negativity inside led me into depression. It was so intense that it took nearly two years to recover. The severe depression I suffered after Bigg Boss even began to affect my heart.”
2. Shalin Bhanot
Shalin Bhanot experienced a significant breakdown during his time in the Bigg Boss 16 house. His emotional reaction in the confession room was aired during an episode. The actor admitted feeling isolated and awful during that period. Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia supported him, helping him re-engage with the game. Shalin sought therapy while the season was ongoing.
3. Sushant Divgikar a.k.a Rani KoHEnur
Sushant Divgikar discussed their experience on Bigg Boss on a podcast, revealing the emotional toll it took. “Despite being clinically depressed, I managed to bounce back. On television, I excelled at the tasks, but there were a few I didn’t do. As a result, Bigg Boss instructed others to nominate me, knowing I could have lasted till the end. No one wanted to nominate me because I often mediated conflicts. On weekends, I was told that I shouldn’t be on Bigg Boss but rather on a spiritual show. Who talks like that? I was just being honest. Looking back, I feel I was in the wrong season, but now I see more genuine participants.”
4. Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani
In a recent vlog and podcast, Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani described Bigg Boss as the most toxic reality show they have ever participated in. They explained that the show’s environment didn’t align with their personalities and mentioned hearing horror stories about previous contestants falling into depression. Compared to other reality shows they’ve been part of, they found their Bigg Boss experience to be the most unpleasant.
5. Umar Riaz
Umar Riaz shared how being on the show affected his mental state. He said he was told he couldn’t work outside after the show, making him question himself. He feared he’d have to leave Mumbai and that his medical career might suffer. However, after seeing positive audience reactions, he felt better.
6. Arhaan Khan
Arhaan Khan entered Bigg Boss 13 as Rashami Desai’s boyfriend, but it later emerged that he was already married and had a child from his first marriage. This revelation deeply affected Rashami Desai, and Arhaan himself was greatly impacted by his time on the show.
The experiences shared by former Bigg Boss contestants highlight the mental and emotional toll reality television can have on individuals. From facing severe depression and questioning their identity to dealing with public scrutiny and personal challenges, these stories shed light on the complexities behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.
These accounts serve as a reminder of the importance of mental well-being and the need for robust support systems to navigate the pressures of fame and public perception.
