Bigg Boss 13's Koena Mitra: Arti Singh is spineless, Sidharth Shukla has anger issues but is playing well

Koena Mitra got eliminated from Bigg Boss 13 during the double evictions last week. The original Saki Saki girl after coming out of the house alleged host Salman Khan of partiality and also revealed details about her stay in the house. In an exclusive conversation with the TimesofIndia.com, the actress shared that Siddharth Shukla has anger issues and called Arti Singh spineless. (Interview by: Vijaya Tiwari)

Arti Singh's accusation that I kept forgiving Siddhartha Dey was the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I don't want to hold grudges against anyone. Asim nominated me twice but I did not take his name, in fact I helped him during the task. There's no hatred in my heart for others. It was a game. I felt Salman did not give me a fair chance to talk. He didn't even wait for me the way he should have done as a host. He was defending everyone just to put me down. My side of the story wasn't presented well. Salman isn't right.

I believe viewers message is not being conveyed inside to the contestants. it is not conveyed to Arti, Siddharth Shukla, Shehnaz and others. They don't know where they are going wrong. When Hina Khan entered the house, she told me that audience is liking my responsible and graceful side, but Arti, Devoleena and Shehnaz told me not to take the response on social media so seriously. At that time, Salman didn't even stop them. He should have told them Janta's opinion is the ultimate. When I got eliminated and came out I realised that Janta was actually saying the same thing, that my eviction was manipulated. From the first week itself, the audience had chosen me and Siddharth Shukla as their favourites how come I got eliminated. Both first and second weekend Salman's message was not even close to what the audience had to say.

Salman Khan doesn't have time to watch each and every episode. The brief given to him by the creative team is wrong. He doesn't know what's going on in the show 24/7. Even while he was talking to me during WKV episode, somebody was feeding him lines into his ears and he was just repeating them. The creative team and the channel tells him what he needs to speak. Audience wants to know that if they were liking me and supporting me, then who has eliminated me?

I was not on the show to nurture their controversial concept. I was there for myself, my priority was me. I was not there to feed someone’s hunger of TRPs. Why do I have to fan their concept or reputation. Just to promote or nurture their concept, I can’t be fake. I was real from day one. I did not take any pressure of faking a love story or making connections, I was just being myself and that’s what people loved.

No I don’t regret doing the show. I wanted to take a chance as I am not a planner. This year I thought giving it a chance. My father is critical and I keep visiting Kolkata to see my father. I was busy with my personal work but all of a sudden when this work came I thought let’s give it a chance. I followed my heart and instinct. I thought enough of waiting, let’s give it a try this time and it will be a refreshing change for my fans too. They have known me through my characters but after this show my fans would get to know my soul.

My family, my parents are so happy with the response that they are reading. Their upbringing, their lessons, principles has been hailed by people. My parents are so proud and happy. A lot of senior citizens, my neighbours, people around have liked my sensibilities. On Sunday night I stepped into a mall and a 75 year-old lady came up to me and said this year I thought Bigg Boss would be different as it had sensible, educated, dignified people. I am heartbroken that you are out and I missed watching the episode. After getting such reactions, I don’t think my decision was wrong.

Youth, girls and boys watch this show and they can learn many things. These kind of shows can actually set an example and they should be careful of what they are showing, or promoting. But the show has already set a wrong message that someone mocking someone's face, looks, work is entertainment. Unfortunately, Mr Salman Khan has sent out this message.

When I entered the show I was very unwell. I was on medicines in the Bigg Boss 13 house. Everyday doctors used to come and give me 12 medicines and injections. I had severe low iron and B12 deficiency. Shehnaz used to mock me and Salman said but janta (the audience) liked it.

Siddharth Shukla has anger issues but he is playing a fair game. He should be careful because he is very short tempered and he needs to keep a watch on what he says. In fact, when Siddharth was slammed by other girls of the house even then Salman did not tell him that he is going wrong. Siddharth is a genuine, mature guy the only problem with him is his anger issues.

Rashami is a very balanced person. I have never seen an outrageous behaviour from her. She talks very little but very useful. She only speaks when needed.

Arti Singh has no story in the house. She is spineless and she is always involved in someone’s else in the story. She has no wajood of her own in the show. She is either seen with Siddharth Shukla, or when Rashami has a fight, or when Devoleena has a fight.

I think the channel and the creative team should tell him. Salman Khan doesn’t have time to sit and watch every episode. Salman had no idea that Siddharth Shukla had compared Mahira’s face with her shoes. The channel, the creative team writes scripts for him so they should tell Salman. It is not my job.

This platform was perfect for me. I was real in the house. I don’t fear losing, or care about success, or someone's arrogance plus I don’t worship these factors either. I don’t have a master who controls my life. I haven’t taken favours from people and no one can claim it either.

No matter what temptation is kept in front of me, nothing can change my conviction and my principles in life. I told this to Salman Khan as well. Why do I have to please people. If someone’s ego is hurt and he decides to not give me work, block my path and will not let me shine, it is his/her karma. I feel it is cowardness. I am not taking anyone’s name nor I am blaming. I don’t believe in it and I’ll keep doing my thing.

My last stage show was a year back before I suffered a back injury and I had a great time performing for the housemates. The team who had come to perform in the BB house Sunil Grover and Haarsh Limbachiyaa were fantastic. Mahira kept telling me to show her few dance steps. I am extremely fond of Mahira and I loved performing for the housemates.