An old statement made by Tanya Mittal, a contestant on Bigg Boss 19, regarding her preference for working with "small people" has resurfaced, gaining traction after she received an offer from Ekta Kapoor, a prominent figure in the Indian television industry.
The incident unfolded during Kapoor's recent appearance on Bigg Boss 19, where she offered Mittal and music composer Amaal Mallik roles in one of her upcoming television shows. Mittal, visibly elated, called the offer "a dream come true". However, the situation took an interesting turn when Reddit users unearthed an old conversation featuring Mittal, where she expressed her desire to collaborate with emerging directors and help nurture lesser-known talents, rather than working with established, "big" names.
In the podcast, which was released in February, Mittal stated that she had been flooded with offers for films and music videos, but hadn't signed any because her "motive is to work for everyone". She added that focusing solely on fame would make her self-centered. When asked about her preferred directors, Mittal said, "People always run after big names like Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I would prefer to work with a small director who has real talent but isn't getting a big heroine. I would happily work for free for someone like that, so their talent can shine". She further emphasized, "I don't want to meet any big or influential person, nor do I want to work with them. I want to meet people who are still small, work for them, and help them grow. That's my purpose. Money and fame are not my purpose".
The resurfacing of this statement has sparked a flurry of reactions online. Some Reddit users found the situation humorous, with one joking, "Chalo, ab Ekta Kapoor ka career ban jayega (Now Ektaa's career would flourish)". Others questioned Mittal's sincerity, with comments like, "Does she have the courage to tell Ekta, 'I won't work with you for fame, success or money'?" and "Only word I have, DHONGI". Some even accused her of hypocrisy, pointing out that she had previously expressed disappointment at having only 3.7 million Instagram followers, despite claiming not to seek fame.
Adding to the irony, during the Weekend Ka Vaar episode where Kapoor made the offer, Salman Khan jokingly questioned Mittal's ability to portray a poor girl, given her perceived "lavish lifestyle".
Mittal's initial remarks about preferring to be called "Boss" and her emphasis on demanding respect have also drawn criticism, with some labeling her as "egoistic" and comparing her to Bollywood actor Urvashi Rautela. Some viewers find her behavior on Bigg Boss 19 to be a "total pick me behaviour".
Despite the online chatter, Kapoor's offer appears to be a significant opportunity for Mittal, who has expressed her desire to act in television serials. It remains to be seen how Mittal will navigate this situation, given her previously stated preference for working with emerging talents.
