Bigg Boss Marathi 5 fame Varsha Usgaonkar praises Bigg Boss 18’s Shilpa Shirodkar; says ‘She has been handling herself quite well and with a cool mind’ - Exclusive

In a recent interview with Times of India TV, veteran actress Varsha Usgaonkar shared her thoughts on the latest season of Bigg Boss and her experience as a former contestant. She provided insights into Shilpa Shirodkar’s journey in the house, her own stint on the show, and her predictions for the current season's winner.
Watching Bigg Boss and Thoughts on Shilpa Shirodkar
Varsha Usgaonkar confessed that she had been following the current season of Bigg Boss closely. "I have watched quite a lot of it, and this season was good and watchable," she remarked. She praised Shilpa Shirodkar, saying, "I like the way Shilpa has been handling herself quite well and with a cool mind. Although she has been emotional at times, I feel there was no need to be so emotional."
Usgaonkar’s observation highlights the emotional toll that reality shows can have on participants. While acknowledging Shilpa’s composed demeanor, she felt that the occasional emotional outbursts were unnecessary. "Of course, it depends from person to person. I don't want to criticize her, but I feel there was no need to cry, there was no need to feel so bad about it," she added.
Varsha Usgaonkar’s Bigg Boss Marathi Experience
Reflecting on her time in the Bigg Boss house, Usgaonkar recounted her encounters with insults and confrontations. "I was there, and people like Nikki Tamboli insulted me quite a lot. Even others from the house," she shared. However, she maintained her composure throughout her stay, thanks to a promise she made to herself before entering the house. "I had promised myself that I am not going to take it to heart as we all know all kinds of characters come into the Bigg Boss house. So you should be able to handle insults and praise in the same way," she explained.
Usgaonkar’s approach was to not let negative comments affect her. "I never got emotional because I just didn’t care. I never ever abused anyone, I never spoke in bad language with anyone, but I called a spade a spade," she stated. Her strategy was simple: "If somebody talks to you like that, you just ignore him and react with some harsh words."
Predictions for the Trophy Winner
When asked who she thought was closer to winning the trophy, Usgaonkar admitted it was difficult to pinpoint a clear winner. "I feel Vivian is capable of taking it, and Karan is a strong contender," she noted. However, she expressed doubts about Rajat’s chances. "Rajat is quite hot-headed. I don't think he has a chance. He can't win people's hearts; he is too brash, talks too much, and crosses the line at times."
Usgaonkar was particularly critical of Rajat’s behavior towards Shilpa Shirodkar. "The way he spoke to Shilpa, I didn't like it. He said, 'Tu kya samajhti hai?' He can't say something like this to a lady who is much older than him. He has to have basic respect for a woman," she emphasized.
Other Contestants’ Performances
Turning her attention to other contestants, Usgaonkar mentioned Chahat Pandey and Eisha Singh as strong players. "Chahat Pandey and Isha Sharma are playing well," she observed. She also highlighted Avinash’s need to mature, describing him as "quite brash at times and very boyish."
Usgaonkar had high praise for Karan, whom she sees as a top contender. "Karan is quite close to winning the trophy. He has the maturity and at the same time, he is light-hearted, witty, and takes everything in his stride," she said. Vivian also received commendation for his expressiveness. "Even Vivian, I like the way he speaks," she added.
Post-Bigg Boss Reactions
Recalling the aftermath of her Bigg Boss stint, Usgaonkar revealed that her exit disappointed many. "They were disappointed that I came out. They were thinking I would win the trophy," she shared. Fans and well-wishers were particularly upset about the insults she endured. "People from my home state of Goa and even Maharashtra said they wanted to slap her [Nikki Tamboli] and were happy when Aarya slapped her," she said, reflecting the strong support she had from her followers.
Varsha Usgaonkar’s candid conversation sheds light on the emotional dynamics within the Bigg Boss house and offers a glimpse into the resilience required to navigate such a challenging environment. Her insights and predictions for the current season add depth to the ongoing narrative, keeping viewers engaged and intrigued.