Puneet Vashisht entered the Bigg Boss 9 house with a bang. However, he failed to sustain himself for too long. Given his intimidating personality, I didn't expect him to be out of the house already but he has surely left an impression in his short stint on the show. I spoke to the man moments after his eviction and asked him about his journey, thoughts, future plans, controversies in the house and everything in between.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Team MissMalini: So tell me how the air is outside the Bigg Boss 9 house?
Puneet Vashisht: Extremely wonderful! I'm feeling very good. In these 10-12 days, the things we take for granted - from our mothers to a tiny chocolate - I've understood the value of them all. Other than that, there was so much politics in the house, and there is politics outside in the real world too. I wasn't part of a "group" inside the house, neither will I be part of one outside the house.
I just pray that the skills God has given me, I use to my potential. I'm an actor's son - just going to work even harder now and play interesting characters.
Team MM: Were you shocked that you got eliminated this early?
PV: Not at all. I think Salman Khan had something against me. I just want to clarify that in the Highway Task, I had said "foreign food" and somehow everyone thinks I said "foreigner" but I didn't! Salman Sir even scolded me for it yesterday. But I was talking about haldi because from where I come from, haldi is ann and ann is worshiped, not wasted.
I think they only showed the violence on TV in the Rickshaw task because I din't support Prince Narula, Kishwer Merchant or Suyyash Rai at all. I was sitting in the corner throughout and appealing to my voters that I don't want to stay here anymore because it's not improving my craft in any way. I'm not getting polished as a human being. There's nothing for me to do here.
Puneet Vashisht
Team MM: So what do you think the reason for your elimination is?
PV: I entered the house and I danced for a task. Everyone saw that there's a talented guy in the house, because I was a dancer in the past and I've also assisted Ahmed Khan.
So I feel everyone in the house thought he dances well, he doesn't get into politics, cleans the house too' and they nominated me. I am actually much more than happy that I'm out of the house. Thanking God, really!
Team MM: Digangana actually told a lot of people that you're manipulating her by bringing up her parents. Would you have a comment on that?
PV: Manipulate? Her mom came to my house. I didn't even know of Digangana. And I'm not a person who enjoys disharmony for the sake of TRP. Main aisa hoon hi nahi. It's just that when the task happened and she went in Rishabh Sinha's car, I couldn't believe it.
So I just went and told her "ki yaar Digangana, aapki naani, mummy... kuch toh respect karo yaar." Her mom had to no right to come to my house and sob. I don't even know them and don't even know if they broke any rules by doing this or where they got my number from. So my going and telling Digangana anything was just out of shock because main unki naani ke messages leke aayaa hoon, aur aap apne so-called enemy ki gaadi mein baith ri hain.
Puneet Vashisht
Team MM: Your favourite moment from the show.
PV: Favourtie moment from the show is everyday realizing the importance of family and realizing how we take everything for granted.
Team MM: Now that you're out of the house, who do you think has the strongest chance of winning?
PV: I felt Mandana Karimi and Rochelle Rao are extremely two-faced. My vote would go to Aman because I feel he's sorted in the head. Everyone else like Prince, Suyyash, Kishwer are out to bully everyone.
Team MM: What was the whole water controversy with Rishabh during the task?
PV: It was suddenly blown out of proportion. He reacted like I had pinned him down and kicked him in the face! And I threw water at him... no matter how hard I do it, it can't cause a rash on anyone's face. And honest to God, I rubbed his face with exactly the amount of force I rub my face with.
I guess he knows the norms of the game. I haven't even seen 12 episodes of the show in its entirety. Just saw 7 before I had to enter the house. So Rishabh knows that the audience likes when negativity like this is created. I can't be a part of this. I'm an actor's son, I want to play interesting roles, Bigg Boss was just not a place for me.
Puneet Vashisht
Team MM: Have you taken back even one friend from this experience?
PV: I think Aman. Just yesterday we were to do a task together where he had to "sell" me like a "product." So he said how I'm a complete package - can dance, have a nice voice, do stunts, acting is in my blood - and all that's true and the audience will see it too. If any producers/directors see the episode, they'll know me. Sar jhuka ke imaandaari se kaam karna hai bass.
Team MM: You often spoke about how you've left 3 films to be a part of this show...
PV: Two films were going to start immediately, so that's gone. But a film is slated to go on floors in Jan, I'm doing that. And you know our industry, who calls when about what, you never know. I've just gotten back and not called anyone yet.
Team MM: What was the first thing you did as soon as you got back?
PV: I kissed my mom's feet, I swear! We all know how important maa is, but we tend to take her for granted. Everyone knows her significance philosophically, but that doesn't always reflect in our behavior. I swear I fell at her feet and I cried.
Team MM: If you threw a Bigg Boss 9 party, who would definitely not make it to the guest list?
PV: I don't want to throw any party at all (laughs!)
Team MM: Hypothetically...
PV: I think Mandana. She's showing the world a completely different face than what she actually is.
Team MM: Would you consider gong back if you're offered?
PV: Not even if they give me 50 lakh rupees a day! (laughs) I'd like to do something like Khatron Ke Khiladi though.
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
