After her exit from Bigg Boss 19, contestant Tanya Mittal addressed the repeated criticism of being “fake,” arguing that her ‘luxury-driven’ lifestyle and personal choices should not be equated with pretentiousness. In a candid conversation with the media, she said that throughout the season she “was being real,” and any judgment passed on her from outside was rooted in misunderstanding and prejudice.
Tanya, who finished as the second runner-up in the show, acknowledged that the reality show challenge had been “mentally exhausting” from the beginning. She said people may form different opinions about her, but “they couldn’t ignore me.”
Defending personal comfort & lifestyle choices
Tanya explained that she grew up in a comfortable, affluent household and does not see anything wrong in maintaining a certain standard of living. “If I choose to spend on myself or maintain a particular lifestyle, it’s because I can. I work for it. That doesn’t make me pretentious,” she said, questioning why a 30-year-old woman taking care of her needs should invite scrutiny.
She added that choices such as hiring bodyguards should not be considered unusual simply because she is a woman or a public figure. “If someone can afford security, it’s their choice, simply a personal preference,” she emphasized.
Tanya insisted that what audiences see inside the house is situational and does not define who she is. She said she hails from a “cultured, grounded household” and is proud of her upbringing and values.
Concluding her stance, she said: “I know I can be too much for some people, but I have always lived on my own terms. I don’t believe in fitting into expectations just to appear acceptable.”
Critics, housemates call her out
However, Tanya’s claims have not gone uncontested. Several of her former co-contestants and fellow participants have accused her of being “fake,” manipulative and calculative in her game play.
For instance, one housemate said Tanya “knew exactly when and how to behave to be noticed,” suggesting that she was more conscious about her image inside the house.
Another contestant alleged she manipulated relationships: “Before going to the secret room, I realised she is a level-100 narcissist… She would pretend to be this ‘achhai ki murat’ (portrait of goodness), which she is not,” they claimed.
Additionally, questions were raised about alleged discrepancies between her on-screen persona and real-life social media presence, with one accusing her of projecting a “sanskari” (cultured) image on the show while posting “miniskirt videos” on social media.
Tanya’s reaction – “Show labels don’t define me”
In response to the backlash and scrutiny, Tanya maintained that labels and speculations do not affect her sense of self. She said viewers often forget that what they see on a reality show is not the complete person, stressing that the medium is situational and often distorted for drama.
She compared her life journey to “searching for a diamond in the rough,” saying there have been many challenges (“lots of black particles”) on the way. But she’s determined to hold on, believing that her perseverance and authenticity remain intact.
What this reveals about public perception and reality-show filters
The debate around Tanya’s “fake” label and her bold rebuttal reflects a larger discourse on privilege, gender, and societal expectations. Her stance challenges traditional judgments about women’s right to comfort, security, and self-expression, emphasizing that financial independence or lifestyle choices should not be automatically interpreted as pretentiousness.
On the flip side, the accusations from her co-participants question whether reality-show exposure—alliances, expressions, and behavior under pressure—genuinely reflects personality or simply smart social gameplay.
Tanya’s response underlines a third possibility: that both aspects may coexist, a wealthy upbringing and genuine self, coupled with the pressure and scrutiny of public perception.
As the dust settles on Bigg Boss 19, Tanya Mittal’s journey and reactions may well reshape how viewers interpret authenticity, privilege, and ambition—not just inside the house, but beyond it.
By – Sonali