'I really got attracted to Aashka during Bigg Boss'

Television actor Santosh Shukla was evicted from the television reality show Bigg Boss over the weekend.

 The actor was a wild card entry on the show, and entertained the housemates with his soulful Bollywood numbers.

He seemed to be infatuated with Aashka Goradia, and even host Salman Khan would tease him.

Later, Santosh shifted his affections to Karishma Kotak. By the end of his month-long stay in the house, Santosh was tagged a flirt.

He talks to Rajul Hegde about his experience at Bigg Boss.

Did you really have feelings for Aashka, or was it just for the camera?

When I first met Aashka in the Padosi house, I really got attracted to her. I saw her praying and talking very nicely to everyone.

Her behaviour changed the moment we went to the Modern house.

She instigated me against Urvashi Dholakia and Rajeev Paul but was friendly with Rajeev. Once she saw me taking to Urvashi, and told me, 'Don't lose my trust.'

Nirahua warned me and told me that she was just using me in the game.

Somewhere she felt you were crossing your limit.

Aashka is portraying herself as a victim of my advances. But she always reciprocated so I thought things were good between us. She never discouraged me; instead she enjoyed all the attention.

She even told that if I had met her six years ago, she would have considered me. Now I can be a standby because she already has a boyfriend (smiles).

After Aashka, your attention shifted to Karishma Kotak. It looks like you were on the show to flirt with the girls.

(Laughs) People say I fall in love very easily. If a lover is called a flirt, then yes I am a flirt. 

I am like Kanaiya by heart, even though I am a Shiv bhakth (devotee). I am not scared about my image on national television because I just behaved as I do in real life.  

Karishma is a nice girl. She would make tea five times a day. I began to develop strong feelings for her and eventually proposed to her. She told me this was not the right place to discuss such things, and that she might think of meeting me when she leaves the house. 

Now I am eagerly waiting for her answer.  

Even if it doesn't work out, I am fine with it because I have gone through this several times before. But I will be doing a film with her and Nirahua. It's a big budget Bhojpuri film that will be produced by Nirahua.

Do you dislike any other person in the house, apart from Aashka?

Delnaz Irani pretends to be someone she is not. She thinks if she behaves like this, she might win the game.

Also, I wouldn't want to meet Rajiv Paul ever again in my life. If they didn't want others to say anything about their personal lives, they shouldn't have come on the show. If someone sees two people fighting, he or she will interfere.

Imam is a soft target and most of them are taking advantage of him. Initially, I had many fights with him too but I realised he was a good man. Imam has a lot of knowledge and knows how to behave. We bonded well. When he comes out, I want him to manage my work.

It looked like Salman Khan was impressed with you...

Yes. Salman asked me to wait after the shoot. We chatted for a couple of hours. I never felt like I was talking to a star; it felt like I was talking to my older brother. Salmanbahi told me that he would introduce me to his brother Sohail Khan. He also told me to work in his next movie.

Bigg Boss is a big platform but getting time to spend with a handsome and witty actor like Salmanbhai is a big achievement in itself.

What next?

I am planning to take a break from television and after spend some time with my parents. 

I will start shooting for my debut film Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya with singers Mika and Shaan.