Bollywood actress Minissha Lamba has refuted claims of actor and Bigg Boss 8 co-contestant Arya Babbar that she was his ex-girlfriend.
Babbar had claimed on the reality show that the two had started dating after becoming friends on the sets of a Punjabi film.
Lamba, who has been evicted from Bigg Boss 8, says there is no truth to what Babbar had said. “We never dated each other. What Arya said is not true. We have been co-stars in many films and then friends, but nothing more than that. He was under a lot of pressure when he said that, so I forgave him,” Lamba said.
The 29-year-old actress was seen telling former contestant Deepshikha Nagpal on the show that Babbar had asked her to pretend as his girlfriend on the show to get publicity.
When the show’s host, Bollywood actor Salman Khan asked him about Lamba’s claim, Babbar admitted he had tried to strategise and also spilled the beans about their alleged past relationship.
Lamba says she was initially upset with the 30-year-old actor but later made peace with him. “I wanted to stay dignified in the house and I knew if I had stretched the issue, it would have become dirty. Hence, I thought to let it go and move on. I befriended Arya again after that,” she said.
Her Bigg Boss 8 co-contestant Puneet Issar also alleged that Lamba and Babbar had planned to stage an affair on the show.
“I kept quiet because I knew the truth. I was surprised that Salman Khan apologised to me as he got to know I had planned nothing with Arya. I was happy that the truth was out,” Lamba said.
On the reason for her exit from the show, Lamba said: “I was nominated with strong competitors, so maybe that’s why I lost. But I don’t have any bitter feelings as the experience has been great. I am out with dignity and positivity and I am happy about that.”
Lamba added that the Bigg Boss house is a test of a person’s strength and conflicts on the show are unavoidable as all contenstants have different personalities and behavioural patterns.
The actress, who was seen having a love-hate relationship with TV actor Gautam Gulati on the show, says he is misunderstood by other contestants. “He is definitely misunderstood. He is a good, fun guy and I have no grudge against him even though there were times we did not get along with each other,” she said.
When asked who is her bet for the Bigg Boss 8 winner, Lamba said it is too early to give a name but she felt in a week or two, a strong contender will emerge on the show.
