‘Ankita Lokhande’s exit at fourth spot in Bigg Boss 17 grand finale shocked the entire country’: finalist Arun Mashettey

Bigg Boss 17: Arun Mashettey, who was the first finalist to get evicted, shared how he suffered depression in the house.

Arun Mahshettey talks about being a finalist on Bigg Boss 17 (Photo: Colors PR Team)

Bigg Boss 17 came to an end last night with Munawar Faruqui emerging as the winner and Abhishek Kumar, Mannara Chopra, Ankita Lokhande and Arun Mashettey making it to the list of top five contestants. While Arun was the first finalist to get evicted, the biggest shocker for all was Ankita exiting the race at the fourth spot. At the grand finale, Arun exclusively spoke to Indianexpress.com and shared how surprised everyone was when Ankita’s name was announced.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv)

Also Read: Bigg Boss 17: Arun Mashettey becomes the first finalist to get evicted

Talking about making it to the finale, Arun said, “I never expected to be in the top 5, especially after Tehelka getting evicted. I slipped into depression, and when I found out my wife suffered a miscarriage, things got worse. So for me, the journey was difficult.” Arun also reacted to people claiming that he didn’t deserve to be a finalist. He said, “People who don’t wish you well, will keep talking rubbish. But only I know how I spent every moment in that house. Let people call me undeserving, I don’t care. Nobody had anything against me that could tarnish my image, neither am I a cheater, nor am I a beater. I played the game with my heart, and was real, and people liked that.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Arun Srikanth Mashettey (@achanakbayanakgamingofficial)

He also added, “I was never a hypocrite, I won hearts so I am in the top 5. I had not expected to be the first finalist to get evicted but was expecting to be in the top 3. I was seeing myself there with Munawar and Ankita. But it’s okay.”

Also Read | Exclusive | ‘This trophy has cost me a lot’: Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui reveals he had mental breakdowns in the house, cried every night

Speaking about Ankita Lokhande bagging the fourth spot, Arun said, “Not just her family, the entire nation was shocked to see Ankita in the fourth position. Everyone thought she would be in the top 2, but Bigg Boss is another ball game.”

Indian Express Entertainment is now on WhatsApp Channels. Follow us for the latest news, interviews, reviews, photos and more.

Arun said he plans to do more work in this space now. He even shared how Bigg Boss has made him a stronger man and he can deal with anything now.

Nawaz Javed Kochra

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector. Experience & Career Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media: The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments. Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media. Expertise & Focus Areas Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include: Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles. OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres. Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends. Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community. Authoritativeness & Trust With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.