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Bhojpuri actress Neelam Giri was evicted from the Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 19 on Sunday. Neelam’s journey began on an intense note — she was nominated in the very first week and was often labelled as one of the weaker contestants. During the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Salman even pointed out that Neelam had managed to survive 11 weeks without truly showcasing her individuality. Her close friendship with influencer Tanya Mittal was also cited as a reason for her game not progressing as strongly as it could have. Now, in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Neelam has defended her bond with Tanya and opened up about what really happens once a contestant exits the house.
Talking about how she initially found it difficult to cope with the show, Neelam said, “In the first week, I was really scared. I wasn’t understanding anything in the game. For me, this was such a big platform, so I was also very nervous. I didn’t know what to do, but then I opened up and started being myself. My life has changed for the better after Bigg Boss; the show has brought me a lot of fame, and overall, it has had a very positive outcome. Now I hope to get some great projects too. I am ready to work on TV and in films. If there is a reality show, a song, I will happily take it up.”
Neelam Giri also commented on Abhishek Bajaj’s shocking eviction and weighed in on the debate about Bigg Boss 19 makers being biased. She said, “I don’t think the makers are biased. However, Abhishek’s eviction was shocking. Pranit could have saved Abhishek, but he came under so much pressure that he couldn’t think clearly. I don’t think Bigg Boss planned his eviction. I don’t think even makers had anything to do with it. But I will say that I didn’t get any guidance at all from the makers. On Weekend Ka Vaar, Salman sir also explained as much as it was shown. We were never given a script as such.”
Initially, while Neelam Giri was judged by many contestants, she developed a bond with spiritual influencer Tanya Mittal. The two went on to become best friends on the show. Talking about this friendship, Neelam shared, “I don’t think Tanya’s friendship hampered my game. I consider her a true friend. She must have played the game as per her convenience, but I don’t think either of our friendships affected each other’s game.”
Commenting on the various viral claims that Tanya Mittal made, Neelam said, “I never encouraged Tanya when she made those claims, even during the conversation about her coffee drinking process, where she said she travels to Agra for three hours just to drink coffee in front of the Taj Mahal. I told her to end her friendship with me, because I was irritated listening to her. But it was all harmless; it wasn’t damaging me, so there was no reason for me to distance myself from her. As a friend, Tanya is very good. Other than that, I don’t really care about how much money she has or what she owns. If she has the money she claims, good for her.”
Neelam was also tagged as Tanya’s sidekick time and again. “In that house, when your friendship grows thick, everyone sets a narrative. They call you a sidekick or coward, and the gossip spreads fast. When they called me the sidekick, it didn’t matter to me much. I was just being caring.”
Over the past few weeks on Bigg Boss 19, Tanya Mittal seemed to be developing romantic feelings for Amaal Mallik. Addressing this, Neelam Giri said, “Amaal is a very nice boy. We never fought. He is strong. He gets along very well, and is playing the game also very well. Tanya never told me what she actually felt for Amaal, but by default, she has a caring nature, and she goes overboard with it sometimes. I had even explained to her to draw a line, but she didn’t listen. I don’t think she had feelings for Amaal; she just looked up to him.”
Talking about Kunickaa, the Bigg Boss contestant added, “I really like Kunickaa mam. I look up to her. She believed in me; she was always worried about me. Kunickaa mam genuinely liked me, guided me in the game, and she didn’t just do it for the show.”
Explaining what actually happens once a contestant’s eviction is announced, Neelam Giri shared, “After the eviction, we are given 15-20 minutes to gather our belongings, meet people, and then they ask us to leave. Then we go and sit in the office where the team meets and talks to us. We get our luggage also in an hour, and we leave for our home that night itself.”
Neelam also shared who she wishes to see in the Bigg Boss 19 grand finale. She said, “I think Shehbaz, Amaal, Tanya, Gaurav, and Kunickaa have the chances to win. Gamewise, Farrhana is doing well, but she is selfish. She is a strong-headed girl, but sometimes her actions her heartbreaking, and you cannot expect anything from her.”
Bigg Boss 19 grand finale is scheduled to take place on December 7.
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