’Bigg Boss’ strengthened Rahul’s faith’i

Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) Winner of Sony TV's reality show "Bigg Boss" Rahul Roy says the experience has made him stronger in his beliefs.

"I've only become stronger in my beliefs. I always had unstinted faith in god. I'm a staunch follower of Hanumanji, Shivji and Ganeshji (Hindu gods). At the age of 40, I need to feel more responsible towards myself and to those who matter to me. I think that side of me came out on 'Bigg Boss'.

"I'm incredibly grateful to god for keeping me sane through all the strange and trying situations in the house. It was very tough to do so," Rahul told IANS.

Talking about his experience, he said: "I feel I've just been let out of a zoo. I came out and I partied with the other housemates from 'Bigg Boss'. My brother Rohit from Delhi, who's 26 minutes my junior, was there with me. I hugged and kissed all the inmates..."

Rahul was bewildered, frazzled but triumphant after he was declared the winner of the reality game show.

He recounts the experience, "I had to lean back on every holy scripture, every word of wisdom about the quality of life that I had ever read, to survive in there. But to tell you the truth, I've come back doubly strong from the ordeal. I just behaved in character.

" 'Bigg Boss' was an amazing experience. To have won is an incredible feeling. In the last three hours, before I won, I kept praying continuously to my Hanumanji."

While the other contestants often lost their temper, Rahul became a household name for his equanimity.

"I may not be a big star. But I went in there with a certain dignity. And I needed to maintain that dignity. I lost both my parents. But to me their name remains sacrosanct. I didn't want to shame them or my other loved ones in any way."

Ask him if he felt any ill will for any of the contestants, and Rahul protests.

"I honestly felt only good vibes for them. I'm very happy for the other two finalists Ravi Kishen and Carol Gracias. I'd have been happy to see either of them win... Being in the final three was in itself a victory for me. But winning was important, yes."

Did conditions in the house get tougher as more and more inmates got evicted?

"Not for me. I'm basically a loner. I'm not too much a people's person. But to my surprise I could handle the people in the house. I'm proud to say I won everyone's respect in there.

"My spiritual nature forbade me from feeling any ill will against anyone in there. Everyone looked up to me in there. And I didn't want to let any of them down. I wasn't connected with the outside world. But I knew if I earned the respect of the inmates at 'Bigg Boss' I was doing the right thing."

Talk veered to his career and Rahul confessed he had been doing the wrong kind of films in recent times.

"But now after 'Bigg Boss' I intend to be more responsible towards myself. The experience has renewed my faith in myself. No more inane films.

"To begin with I'm going to visit my wife (model Mahalaxmi) in Sydney. Only then will I think of how to carry my life forward... But I've to be sure of every step I take.

"Do you know my wife was sceptical about me being on the show? She had seen 'Big Brother'. When I called her about the offer she asked me whether I was sure I wanted to be on such an incredibly tough show. I told her to relax; I'll be out in three-four weeks. I never knew I'd survive all the way to the end!"