Amaal Mallik turned down Bigg Boss for five years, and he’s finally opening up about why. In a recent conversation with Screen, the music composer-singer explained that he wanted to avoid the atmosphere of constant drama and chaos, joking that he didn’t want to be anywhere near “babas who threw urine”—a clear nod to the infamous incident when Swami Om hurled urine on fellow contestants during Bigg Boss 10. Yet, when the right opportunity and a compelling cast came along, he agreed to enter the show for its 19th season.
Mallik’s initial hesitation was genuine. He recalls thinking, “I don’t think I’m suited to be a BB contestant, and it doesn’t feel like my lane.” His perspective began to shift once he saw the lineup for this season. He wasn’t the first pick, but he found the potential contestants intriguing and varied, which piqued his interest. The appeal, he says, lay in the diversity of personalities rather than just high visibility or theatrics.
What drew him to Bigg Boss 19, he explains, was the mix itself. He felt a genuine spark among the participants, describing them as cool and capable of contributing something unique. With his schedule—two films in hand and most of his songs already completed—the timing finally aligned, making the shoot feasible and mutually beneficial.
On a personal level, Mallik’s motivation hinged on authenticity. He wanted audiences to see the real him, not just the online persona some perceived from his social media activity. He notes that many followers assumed he spoke boldly online, and he wanted to give them a chance to witness his true demeanor on screen. In the latest season, he managed to secure a notable fifth-place finish.
Would you have expected Mallik to join a reality show after such a long pause? Do you think the show’s cast dynamics truly shape a contestant’s experience, or do personal goals and timing matter more? Share your thoughts below.
