'If you are able to speak a few lines in English, you consider yourself classy.'
'If I speak in Hindi, I am worthless in your eyes.'
Akshara Singh, one of the highest-paid actresses in Bhojpuri films, gave every contestant on Bigg Boss OTT a run for their money.
Unfortunately, her dreams of outperforming the other contestants were wiped away when she was evicted from the game.
Bigg Boss sent her and her connection Millind Gaba packing as they received the least number of audience votes.
Now out of the house, Akshara tells Rediff.com Contributor Mohnish Singh, "Earlier, only people in UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand knew me. Now, every ardent fan of Bigg Boss
How does it feel to be voted out at this stage of the competition?
It is a strange feeling.
I am both happy and sad.
I have come out of the show with a plethora of different experiences that I have been through in a short span of time.
I look at it as an achievement.
Was it surprising for you to go so early?
I did not anticipate my journey to end like this. It was, of course, very surprising and unexpected for me.
But it is okay.
At the end of the day, it was a game show.
That's how every reality show works.
Do you have any regrets about your time in the house?
There is absolutely no regret but I am missing being inside the house (laughs).
Having said that, I believe I have already won millions of hearts because of how I played.
Earlier, only people in UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand knew me.
Now, every ardent fan of Bigg Boss across the country knows me.
What else an artist can ask for?
Do you think that Shamita Shetty and Neha Bhasin misunderstood you?
Maybe. But I did not participate in Bigg Boss to make them understand or realise who I am as an individual.
My audience does not misunderstand me is what matters to me.
Is Shamita Shetty dominating?
Yes. The way she has been conducting herself from the day one shows it all.
The whole world is watching how she treats others.
Her true nature is already out for the whole world to see. I do not think there is any need for me to add anything.
Do you think some contestants have tried to create a class division on the show, something that remained a key topic of discussion in the first two weeks?
It should have not happened.
If somebody is constantly trying to do it, what kind of message are they sending across to their audiences?
As an artist, you have certain responsibilities.
What are you giving back to society by indulging in such frivolous arguments?
If you are able to speak a few lines in English, you consider yourself classy. If I speak in Hindi, I am worthless in your eyes.
For these people, somebody who is speaking in Hindi is uneducated.
But that's not the case.
Bigg Boss is tired of telling them to talk in Hindi. In a span of 24 hours, he asks over hundred times, 'Please speak in Hindi.'
I am fluent in Hindi, so I prefer to talk in Hindi.
She (Shamita Shetty) would keep on blabbering in English.
Bigg Boss should punish them for speaking in English inside the house.
For them, even swearing in English makes them classy.
Do you think your stint could have been longer had you played individually?
Yes. Had I played individually, my game would have undoubtedly been on a different level.
See, when you play with a connection, things do go awry.
Both Gaba and I are emotional people. He is a dear friend.
Whenever people will talk about a genuine friendship in Bigg Boss house, they will definitely give the example of our friendship.
We stood by each other through thick and thin.
We lost the game, but our friendship won.
Who will you keep in touch with after the season ends?
To be honest, I want to keep in contact with everyone because I am not the person who holds grudges.
If I am hurt or if something is bothering me, I vent my frustration or anger then and there.
So whosoever wants to meet me with love, I would love to greet them with open arms.
I forged a really great bond with Divya.
I would love to keep in touch with Nishat. He is like a younger brother to me.
Moose was very cordial with me. She always supported me.
As far as other contestants are concerned, if they are ready to meet me after coming out of the house, I would definitely love to meet them.
When I entered the house, I told Pratik that I would always stand by his side, and I did. So when he comes out and needs any kind of support from me, I am always there for him.
What did you enjoy the most about the experience?
I miss the moments when everybody would just gather together to eat after I was done cooking in the kitchen.
I also miss my sweet arguments with Gaba.
Have the four weeks in the house changed you as a person?
A lot. I have learned some precious life lessons over these four weeks.
I am more patient now.
My whole outlook on life has changed.
How real is Shamita Shetty and Raqesh Bapa's showmance, according to you?
I find it fake and so does the audience.
Do you feel that Raqesh Bapat is somewhat controlled by Shamita?
Yes. She does that.
It is a part of her nature.
Who do you see in top 5?
Divya, Pratik, Nishant, Moose, and Shamita.
Why do you think Raqesh Bapat will not make it to top 5?
His stand is still not very clear.
Rate Karan Johar as the host of Bigg Boss OTT on a scale of 1-10.
For me, Bigg Boss means Salman Khan, and it will never change.
He is synonymous with the show. I like him a lot.
What are you looking forward to doing now that you are back home?
I am with my family, and am loving it.
I had to abandon a couple of projects halfway when I went to Bigg Boss. So I will be resuming work on them soon.
There are a couple of singles in the works.
Gaba and I have also planned something. We hope to commence work on that soon.
There is a lot of work in the pipeline.
Let';s finish with some rapid-fire thoughts about your fellow contestants.
Shamita: Hum mast rahe masti mein, aag lage basti mei.
Raqesh: Bina pendi ka lota.
Nishant: My younger brother.
Pratik: LOL.
Divya: Very strong.
