Last Updated:
Ashneer Grover says his Bigg Boss 18 appearance with Salman Khan was blown out of proportion, insisting he only praised the superstar on the show.
Ashneer Grover clarifies Bigg Boss 18 controversy.
Ashneer Grover, former Shark Tank India judge and entrepreneur, recently opened up about his memorable appearance on Bigg Boss 18 alongside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Known for high-voltage drama and controversial moments, Bigg Boss turned what Ashneer calls a simple compliment into a media buzzword. In a conversation with Zoom, Ashneer clarified his stance and reflected on his experience on the iconic reality show.
“They Turned My Compliment Into Controversy”
When asked if he would collaborate with Salman Khan again after the Bigg Boss 18 exchange, Ashneer stated that the situation was exaggerated. Speaking candidly in Hindi, he said, “Merko toh kuch tha bhi nahi, maine toh us bande ki tareef ki thi. If you look at the video, you can tell me. Did I say anything wrong about him? Maine toh tareef ki thi. Woh show pe bula ke aap ne kuch controversy create kar di, kuch bol ke. Thik hai, yaar, maybe that’s what they needed for the show at that point of time.”
Ashneer emphasised that he held no ill feelings toward Salman, clarifying, “I had no issues at all. In fact, I praised him. If you watch the video, you’ll see I didn’t say anything wrong about him. I was actually complimenting him. They brought me on the show and turned it into a controversy. Maybe that’s what the show needed at the time, and that’s fine.”
No Hard Feelings, Future Collaborations Possible
Reflecting on his previous work with Salman Khan, including selecting him as a brand ambassador, Ashneer explained, “I liked the guy then, which is why I worked with him. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no love lost.” When asked if he’d work with the superstar again, Ashneer responded confidently, “Ya, never say never.”
Ashneer also addressed rumours about joining Bigg Boss as a contestant. He revealed that while he had been approached for the reality show, he politely declined. With his trademark humour, he added that he would only consider participation if the producers offered a deal higher than Salman Khan’s remuneration.
Meanwhile, Ashneer Grover has now stepped into the reality TV space with Rise & Fall. Two episodes in, the show has piqued viewers’ curiosity, though it doesn’t quite deliver the freshness it promised.
The concept draws inspiration from Bigg Boss 7 (2013), which introduced the Heaven and Hell twist. In that season, housemates were split into two zones—one enjoying luxury, the other deprived of basic comforts. Tension arose from envy, constant comparisons, and clashes between the two sides.
Rise & Fall adopts a similar framework but reimagines it as a high-stakes battle of Rulers vs Workers. The Rulers reside in a lavish penthouse with Rs 38 lakhs at their disposal, enjoying every perk and luxury, while the Workers struggle under harsh conditions, with no money or influence. Unlike Bigg Boss 7, which centered on comfort versus discomfort, this new format focuses on power versus survival. The Rulers control all resources, while the Workers must strategies, compete, and fight to climb the hierarchy and gain influence.
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More
Stay updated with the latest TV news updates from daily serials to reality TV shows and your favourite small screen celebrity news. Download the News18 App now.
September 09, 2025, 01:09 IST
