Introduction
The 19th season of the popular reality series Bigg Boss 19 (hosted by Salman Khan) has been nothing short of dramatic — with hidden tensions, explosive fights and plenty of behind-the-camera moments that viewers rarely get to see. In this blog, we dive deep into the controversies that have shaped this season — from housemate behaviour and task spats to allegations of bias, body-shaming and audience outrage.
(Note: Some events may still be unfolding; what follows is based on publicly available coverage as of November 2025.)
1. Age-shaming & personal digs
One of the earliest major flashpoints was when contestant Abhishek Bajaj mocked veteran actress Kunickaa Sadanand during a nomination task. He sang “Dadi Amma, Dadi Amma, Maan Jao,” implying she was too old to remain in the house. The remark triggered outrage on social media. Indiatimes
This kind of personal insult—especially involving age—is rare, yet in Bigg Boss 19 it popped up early and set the tone.
Beyond that, body-shaming remarks were also reported: contestants Tanya Mittal and Neelam Giri allegedly made disparaging comments about Ashnoor Kaur’s weight and workout results. Indiatimes+1
These incidents raise questions about the boundaries of ‘gameplay’ in a show that often trades on conflict. When personal attributes (age, body-shape) become weapons, the toxicity factor goes up.
2. Physical & verbal fights: When the game turned raw
Another layer of controversy: several contestants crossed from strategic conflict into personal attacks. For example:
- Abhishek Bajaj was reported to have physically lifted fellow contestant Farrhana Bhatt without her consent during a task — a move many deemed unacceptable. Moneycontrol
- A heated argument between Amaal Mallik (music producer) and Farrhana Bhatt escalated when Farrhana called Amaal “B-grade,” prompting Amaal to retort: “Tu aur teri maa dono B-grade ho” (“You and your mother are both B-grade”). The comment shocked viewers and fellow contestants alike. Indiatimes+1
These kinds of flare-ups go beyond typical reality-TV task-competition and venture into deeply personal territory. When family and parentage become part of the insult list, the ethics of entertainment enter murky waters.
3. Regionalism, language & class-based insults
One of the most talked-about controversies: during a task, Farrhana Bhatt referred to Neelam Giri as “Bhojpuri staff” — an insult implying low-status, regional-language-based origin. Indiatimes+1
Many viewers interpreted it as a classist and regional-language insult, which triggered widespread criticism online.
“Calling someone ‘Bhojpuri staff’ is not just racist, but also a demeaning and classist insult.” Reddit
When language or region becomes insult fodder, it reflects deeper issues in society—which the show, intentionally or not, brings into the mainstream.
4. Apparent bias, viewer trust and fairness questions
Viewers of Bigg Boss 19 have repeatedly raised concerns about fairness in the house and the editing of the show. One major issue: the revolt over the nomination and eviction process when it appeared that Kunickaa Sadanand had the fewest public votes yet was saved due to a twist in the “App Room”. Netizens saw this as evidence of favoritism. Indiatimes+1
From Reddit threads:
“Bigg Boss 19 has turned into a joke … The ‘Snakes’ get a free pass … Meanwhile, contestants like Abhishek, Pranit More were being unfairly targeted.” Reddit
The lack of transparency around twists and wildcard advantages has raised eyebrows — and raises a larger question: How much of the outcome is still viewer-driven versus producer-driven?
5. Body-shaming & influencer behaviour
Tanya Mittal’s claims about her lavish lifestyle (2,500 sq ft wardrobe floor, multiple servants, seven drivers) became viral, leading to mockery and parental defence alike. Indiatimes
The body-shaming remarks (Tanya & Neelam vs Ashnoor Kaur) mentioned earlier also underline that contestants’ attitudes towards each other are being amplified — often negatively.
This dual cycle of self-bragging and peer-attack has become part of the narrative of this season. It begs the question: Is the show rewarding brashness and camp over genuine personality?
6. What viewers didn’t see: Hidden camera angles, editing & excluded footage
Every season of Bigg Boss promises “everything is shown”, but in truth, some key moments happen off-camera or are edited out. From what we gather in Bigg Boss 19:
- Some verbal assaults happen in whispers or behind the scenes, then get replayed as highlights with dramatic cut-pieces.
- Tasks designed with hidden rules create more conflict than intended; e.g., kitchen-duty nominations that escalate because housemates feel unfairly singled out.
- Emotional breakdowns or private conversations (e.g., between ex-housemates) may be recorded but shown in edited form that distorts context.
For example, some viewers believe that Abhishek Bajaj’s behaviour was amplified while his challengers were down-played. One Reddit post said:
“Abhishek was the most liked contestant … How on earth can he get fewer votes than Farrhana?” Reddit
Such complaints suggest that what you see in the broadcast isn’t always what happened. Editing, camera angles, and selective feeds shape perceptions (and controversies).
7. The role of tasks and house rules in generating drama
In Bigg Boss 19, many confrontations started during tasks or captaincy roles. Key examples:
- Abhishek’s lift of Farrhana during a captaincy task. (see above)
- Farrhana’s remark calling Neelam “Bhojpuri staff” during a task.
- The chore-nomination issue where Kunickaa felt discriminated against when chores were assigned unfairly (per her complaint). Indiatimes
Tasks are intended to test endurance, teamwork and strategy—but they frequently become lightning rods for personal conflict. The issue: when the conflict overshadows the game, viewers wonder if the show is veering into exploitation of emotional responses.
8. Spotlight on key contestants and their controversies
Abhishek Bajaj — Accusations of dominating behaviour, physical lift of a guest contestant, fight with Shehbaz Badesha, age-shaming comments. Moneycontrol+1
Tanya Mittal & Neelam Giri — Body-shaming controversy; lavish-lifestyle claims leading to memes; combined with accusations of being targets for trolling. Indiatimes+1
Kunickaa Sadanand — Controversy around being saved from eviction despite lowest votes; perceptions of bias favouring her by producers. Indiatimes
Amaal Mallik — Involved in heated fights; accusations of being favoured by edits; social media complaints about bias. Reddit
Each of these figures underscores how personality + controversy = visibility. But at what cost?
9. Why do such controversies matter?
Here’s why these issues are not just ‘reality-TV drama’ but significant:
- Cultural norms: Age-shaming, body-shaming, regional insults reflect and reinforce social attitudes. The fact they play out on national TV matters.
- Viewer experience & trust: When audiences feel manipulation is happening (biased editing, twist-saves, producer cues) enjoyment drops.
- Contestant welfare: Constant personal attacks can harm mental health. The house is a confined, high-stress environment; controversial behaviour may spike drama but also risk damage.
- Brand and network risk: Sponsors and channels may face backlash if behaviour crosses into abuse or discrimination.
10. What should viewers and producers keep an eye on?
For viewers:
- Be wary of edited narratives. If something feels unfair (like vote-saves, biased tasks), check external feeds/social media.
- Understand the difference between ‘game-strategy’ and ‘bullying’. Real conflict is one thing; repeated personal attacks are another.
- Recognise the role of social media in shaping perception. Contestants’ off-show behaviour often influences on-show narrative and viewer sentiment.
For producers:
- Establish clear limits: insults tied to personal traits (age, body, region) should trigger immediate warnings.
- Ensure transparency in voting, tasks and twists so fairness remains credible.
- Provide mental-health support to contestants subject to public scrutiny and intense conflict.
Conclusion
Bigg Boss 19 may yet deliver entertainment in buckets, but the controversies add layers—some intentional, some accidental—to the mix. From housemates bickering over chores to personal jabs about body, age, region and family, the show is a microcosm of wider societal fault-lines. What you see on screen is only part of the story; what you don’t see (editing choices, unseen tensions, producer design) often defines the real drama.
If you’re watching, ask yourself: which fights are genuine? Which are provoked? And how much of the narrative is being shaped behind the scenes?