Bigg Boss, the Indian adaptation of the international Big Brother franchise, has delivered countless viral moments, career launches, and headline-making controversies. But its thirteenth season, aired in 2019-2020, is now under renewed scrutiny — not for its viewership (which hit historic highs), but for a disturbing sequence of personal tragedies that followed several contestants.
In This Article:
- Tragedies in the Wake of Stardom – What the Records Show
- Mental Health and Reality TV – A Growing Concern
- Industry Accountability and the Regulatory Silence
- Moving Ahead — Is It a Curse or a Case Study in Entertainment Ethics?
In early 2024, Himanshi Khurana, one of the most notable participants from Season 13, made headlines when she publicly said:
“Everything went wrong after Bigg Boss 13. Deaths, breakups, family losses… I don’t think it was just a coincidence. That season was cursed.”
— Himanshi Khurana, in an interview to a trusted news agency.
Her statement came years after the show aired, but it resonated deeply with fans who had already sensed something unusual.
Tragedies in the Wake of Stardom – What the Records Show
Here are events, all publicly confirmed, that have led to the “curse” narrative:
- Sidharth Shukla, the widely admired winner of Season 13, died of a sudden cardiac arrest on September 2, 2021, at the age of 40. The death was confirmed by Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital and widely reported by national media, including The Hindu, Indian Express, and NDTV.
- Shehnaaz Gill, his closest companion from the show, withdrew from the public eye following his death. While she didn’t publicly claim clinical depression, her temporary absence from professional commitments was noted by fans and media outlets alike.
- Shefali Jariwala, another contestant from Season 13, lost her father within the same timeframe. She confirmed the news through her official Instagram handle.
- Himanshi Khurana and Asim Riaz, who developed a relationship during the show, officially announced their breakup in early January 2024 via social media. Himanshi also stated that she faced emotional distress post-show.
These events are not presented as evidence of a literal curse, but they have undeniably formed a sequence that has sparked conversations — including from those directly involved.
Mental Health and Reality TV – A Growing Concern
Several former contestants across various seasons have spoken openly about the psychological challenges of being in the Bigg Boss house:
- Isolation from the outside world, 24×7 surveillance, disrupted sleep cycles, and edited portrayals often create mental stress.
- In 2020, actor Kushal Tandon (Season 7) and Koena Mitra (Season 13) both publicly criticized the show for its “distorted representation” and “manufactured narratives,” adding that the emotional toll lingers long after the cameras stop rolling.
- Health professionals, including psychiatrists like Dr. Harish Shetty, have raised red flags about how reality TV, when produced under high-pressure environments, can aggravate psychological vulnerability. These views were cited in multiple publications including Scroll.in and Firstpost.
Industry Accountability and the Regulatory Silence
Despite the show’s massive reach and influence, there is no formal psychological welfare protocol publicly disclosed for contestants. While OTT shows in India face increasing censorship for themes and language, reality TV — despite emotional exposure and intense public scrutiny — continues to operate without clear mental health mandates.
This inconsistency has sparked criticism from media scholars and cultural commentators who question why the emotional wellbeing of reality show participants is not given the same regulatory importance.
Moving Ahead — Is It a Curse or a Case Study in Entertainment Ethics?
To be clear, there is no scientific evidence or verified correlation to prove that Bigg Boss is “cursed.” What we do have, however, is a visible string of personal tragedies, breakups, and mental health struggles that have followed Season 13’s participants — enough for contestants themselves to voice concern.
Whether one believes in superstition or not, Himanshi Khurana’s words cannot be dismissed as clickbait. They are a call to reflect on the long-term human cost of short-term entertainment.
By – Nikita