The Bigg Boss 19 house has become a battleground, not just for the contestants but also for former participants, as evidenced by the recent clash between Shehbaz Badesha and Malti Chahar. The conflict, which also involves Shehnaaz Gill, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, fueled by accusations, counter-accusations, and social media drama.
The initial spark appears to have been ignited during an Instagram live session where Shehbaz allegedly made derogatory remarks about Malti, accusing her of being "characterless" and suggesting she was only interested in associating with wealthy individuals. These comments quickly went viral, triggering a wave of criticism against Shehbaz and prompting Malti to unfollow both Shehbaz and Shehnaaz Gill.
Malti responded to Shehbaz's comments via an Instagram story, expressing her disappointment and emphasizing that such remarks are made by individuals seeking attention. She further added that those who judge women are the "dirtiest" themselves.
The controversy escalated during the Bigg Boss 19 finale when Malti directly confronted Shehbaz about his "below the belt" comments made after her eviction. She even appealed to Salman Khan, the show's host, to intervene and advise Shehbaz to refrain from making such remarks. Malti stated that while Bigg Boss ended for her when she was evicted, Shehbaz continued to comment on social media. She specifically called him out for commenting beneath a speech she was delivering.
Shehbaz attempted to justify his comments by referencing the media, but Malti quickly interjected, clarifying that she was referring to his direct comments on her social media posts.
Adding another layer to the conflict, Shehbaz and Malti also clashed over the use of the word "chipka," which translates to "clingy". The disagreement arose when Malti claimed she never commented on the friendship between Shehbaz and Amaal. Shehbaz countered, stating that Malti had used the term "chipka" early in the season to describe his behavior. Amaal supported Shehbaz's claim, asserting that Malti had indeed made the comment. Malti, however, insisted that intentions matter and that accusing a woman of being with a man for his connections is more offensive than casual teasing. She questioned Shehbaz's comment about her associating with Amaal because of his status, implying that his remark was more problematic than her alleged use of "chipka".
Shehnaaz Gill's silence on the matter has also drawn criticism, with many questioning why she has not spoken out despite her close relationships with both Shehbaz and Malti. Some speculate that Shehnaaz is supporting Shehbaz, implying that her friendship with Malti was not genuine.
The online reaction to the controversy has been intense, with Shehbaz facing considerable backlash and being labeled as "frustrated," "jealous," and a "misogynist". Some have speculated that Shehbaz's outburst stemmed from jealousy after a potential romantic connection with Malti ended. Others suggest that he was upset that Malti was giving attention to someone wealthy.
