From battling loneliness and facing intense challenges to forging meaningful friendships, in an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Shrutika Arjun opens up about her emotional and transformative journey on Bigg Boss
Tejal Sinha
Shrutika Arjun’s time on Bigg Boss was nothing short of a roller coaster – an emotional journey that tested her in ways she could never have imagined. From her emotional breakdowns to her fierce determination, she stayed true to herself throughout the competition. Oh! And her eyeliner on point! In this exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, she opens up about her Bigg Boss experience, the highs and lows, the friendships that formed and the lessons she learnt along the way.
When asked about her overall Bigg Boss journey, Shrutika didn’t hesitate to describe it as extremely difficult. “Very, very difficult because I was myself. At the end of the day, I was being very true to myself,” she shared candidly. “My emotions were on display – whether I cried, laughed, or jumped around – I didn’t even realise the cameras were there. So, it felt like an emotional roller coaster every day.” For her, it wasn’t just the challenges of living in a house full of strangers but also the difficulty of showing her true self while constantly being observed. “I forgot the cameras. I was just being who I am,” she reflected.
There were moments when the journey became particularly challenging, especially when it came to her interactions with other contestants. One such moment that stood out was the time she was emotionally tested during the eviction episode. “The eviction of Digvijay was a very testing time for me,” Shrutika confessed. “At that point, I was already going through a lot, and the situation became more complicated when people assumed things that were not true. It felt unfair to be blamed for something I didn’t even do, like raising my hand to vote him out.” Despite this, Shrutika took a positive approach. “I believe they test the strongest contestants. At the end of the day, Bigg Boss is a mind game,” she added with determination.
Shrutika’s journey wasn’t without its difficult relationships, especially with Digvijay. While they had their share of differences, Shrutika didn’t hold any grudges. “He is a very nice guy,” she acknowledged. “We just had differences of opinion and clashes like anyone else. But at the end of the day, he’s a good person. Even when things went wrong between us, I tried to reach out to him. I sent him a heartfelt message after my eviction, and he responded with such warmth. He told me to spend time with my family and not to stress. He made me feel much better with just a few words.”
Although the eviction process was traumatic, Shrutika now feels lighter after the truth came out during Bigg Boss. “When Big Boss cleared everything in the episode, I felt like a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. It was so relieving,” she admitted, feeling more at peace with the way things unfolded. When reflecting on her own eviction, Shrutika expressed a deep belief in karma. “The day Digvijay left, I was feeling really bad, but I also knew that karma would play its role, and eventually, things would work out. Even when I got evicted just days before the finale, I accepted it. I told myself that it was all part of the journey.”
She also spoke about how the public perception of the contestants was often very different from the reality of the show. “Digvijay reception after he left the house was incredible. No one, even those who were there for over a 100 days, got the kind of reception he did. That was his real win, and I felt genuinely happy for him,” Shrutika shared. One of the most significant changes Shrutika experienced during her time in Bigg Boss was her transformation into a much stronger person. “Before Bigg Boss, I was very emotionally dependent. I had never stayed alone in my life. I was always with my family,” she explained. “But in the house, I had to face my fears of loneliness, and it was very tough at first. My emotional breakdowns were not just because of fights with others – it was homesickness, the first time being away from my family.”
However, through this experience, Shrutika grew immensely. “Now, I’m so much stronger. When I went for the finale, I travelled alone to Mumbai, stayed alone in a hotel – it was a huge milestone for me. Everyone was shocked. I did it, and it made me realise how far I’ve come.”
Despite the intense atmosphere in the Bigg Boss house, Shrutika’s bond with Chum remained a significant part of her journey. Chum was not only her close friend, but they supported each other through the ups and downs. Shrutika acknowledged this connection fondly. “If Chum had won, I would’ve been extremely happy for her,” Shrutika said. “But at the end of the day, I believe that anyone who survived in that house for over a 100 days – especially after I left – deserved to win. It wasn’t just about Chum, it was about all of us. We all endured so much, and anyone who made it through that deserves applause.”
When asked if she felt a bit lost after Chum’s eviction, Shrutika admitted that she did. “Yes, I was a little lost when she left. It was tough, but I was happy to see Karan’s win. He also deserved it,” she said, reflecting on the emotional complexity of the situation.
Like any reality show, Bigg Boss had its fair share of behind-the-scenes drama, especially when it came to two-faced behavior among some contestants. Shrutika revealed that, at times, she did feel like people were talking behind her back. “I wasn’t hurt by it because, at the end of the day, it’s all a game. People talk, they have their own opinions. What mattered to me is that when I spoke to someone, they knew it came from me,” she explained. “It would’ve been better if people confronted me directly, but I wasn’t bothered by it.”
Shrutika also opened up about some of the contestants, including Kashish, whose attitude initially rubbed her the wrong way. “Kashish and I had two very contrasting personalities. When she got angry, the language she used was something I couldn’t digest. I don’t use that kind of language, no matter how upset I am,” Shrutika explained. “But as time passed, I realised that she wasn’t a fake person. She showed her emotions openly and didn’t carry grudges. By the end of the show, I understood her better.”
After the show ended, Shrutika had limited interaction with her friends from the house. She mentioned that she had congratulated Karan via WhatsApp and sent a message to Chum about a potential trip, but both were busy with work commitments. However, she expressed understanding and was happy that her friends were doing well. “Even though we haven’t met yet, I believe we’ll pick up from where we left off. No formalities, just friends,” she said with a warm smile.
Finally, Shrutika took a moment to express gratitude for her fans and the positive energy she received. “I am so happy that people enjoyed watching me on screen,” she shared. “Whenever I made people laugh, it was so rewarding. The little moments of joy made it all worth it.” With that, Shrutika closed the conversation on a heartfelt note. “Thank you for the love and support. I’m grateful for every experience and every person I met on this journey. It’s been a beautiful ride.”
