Since its premiere, Bigg Boss 19 has stirred up plenty of controversies, but the latest one involves none other than the host himself, Salman Khan.
The recent Weekend Ka Vaar episode was meant to be a reckoning on contestant gameplay. However, Salman Khan’s exchange with Tanya Mittal quickly devolved into what many viewers have called a personal attack, sparking fierce backlash online.
The controversy centres on Tanya’s failed strategy to provoke and nominate fellow contestant Amaal Mallik by addressing him as “bhaiya” (brother) in front of the housemates. Responding to this, Salman Khan delivered a line that crossed the line from critique to cheap innuendo:
“Ab bhaiya se saiyan pe toh jaa nahi sakte.” (Now you can’t go from brother to lover/partner.)
While the host may have intended to expose a flawed game plan, the remark has been widely condemned as “below the belt” and “cheap,” reinforcing a growing perception of bias and shaming on India’s biggest reality show.
The comment, laced with innuendo, was clearly meant to draw laughs from the housemates, and Amaal Mallik was seen laughing, but it publicly humiliated Tanya by turning her gameplay into a personal and suggestive joke rather than a strategic critique.
Contestants, especially those already under pressure, cannot realistically defend themselves against the host, particularly one with the commanding and intimidating screen presence of Salman Khan. Tanya was visibly embarrassed and silenced, unable to challenge the remark or reclaim her narrative.
As a result, a large section of the Bigg Boss fanbase has lashed out at Salman Khan for his inappropriate comments. By mocking Tanya’s personal status and intentions, the host inadvertently painted her as manipulative and emotionally dishonest, a perception that can heavily sway public opinion and voting patterns.
It’s no secret that viewers have long accused the host of showing leniency towards certain contestants, particularly Amaal Mallik. The singer-composer has previously faced criticism for using abusive language and allegedly threatening other housemates, especially Mittal.
A growing portion of the Bigg Boss 19 audience now sees Salman Khan’s remarks as a deliberate act of humiliation, using personal, suggestive language unbecoming of a family reality show.
Viewers are rightly demanding that the host and the makers uphold higher standards, focusing on gameplay critique rather than character attacks and cheap mockery. Stay tuned for more updates. Stream all episodes of Bigg Boss 19 on JioHotstar.