I realised in the Bigg Boss house that Delnaaz and I are not meant to be together: Rajev Paul

Rajev Paul is one name that will always be connected with Bigg Boss Season 6, as a lot was spoken and written about him during his stay in the controversial house.

In a conversation with us, he talks about the facts that were never revealed on the show. For the first time, he also comes in open to converse about his relationship with ex-wife Delnaaz Irani and her family.

Rajev received a lot of attention and reaction from people outside the house during his stay and even post-it. Hence, talking about the same, he says, “Yes, I have received strong reactions, both good and bad, from everybody. All this shows that I was noticed.”

When asked about his link-up with co contestant Sana Khan, he shares, “Sana is a friend and I have maintained that. I am not ashamed of her neither she is of me. I think viewers outside noticed this and that is why in spite of being nominated seven times, I was saved by them. In fact, even after Delnaaz’s family members had nominated me, I was saved. But in spite of all that, my behaviour towards Delnaaz did not change and I stayed the way I was.”

We all watched things getting sour with Delnaaz’s family getting involved in the story. What does he have to say about it? “We had moved on before Delnaaz’s brother Bakhtiyaar’s (Irani) entry in the house. In fact, before Bigg Boss, Delnaaz and I had not been talking but then we got cordial with each other in the show. But then Bakhtiyaar said things that he shouldn’t have; for I never spoke anything against Delnaaz. As a matter of fact, I stood by everything she did.”

“They said I went to their house only four times after Delnaaz left my home. So, why am I to be held responsible for that too? In fact, Bakhtiyaar who said so much about me had behaved very badly with his wife Tanaaz (Irani) when they were contestants in Bigg Boss. He also jumped with another woman in the pool during his stay in the house that too before the eyes of his wife.”

Revealing few other facts he goes on to tell us, “It wasn’t showed, but I was willing to leave the house for Delnaaz not once but twice. During our stay there, we learnt about Delnaaz’s aunt passing away. So, I told her that I’d leave the house with her if she wanted to leave but she did not pay any heed. And even when she told Bigg Boss that she won’t leave the house for me, I said I will leave it for her. Could there be any other intention but to just be there and stand up for her.”

Narrating a shocking incident that took place in the house, Rajev reveals, “When Mink was given the opportunity to assign us a task, she asked me and Delnaaz to sleep under the same quilt, but I refused to do so. On the other hand, Delnaaz was fine with it. She told me that she had faith in me but then for me, I did not know how they would show it to the world. But, then her mother went on to tell about the Rs one crore episode flat, forgetting that her daughter has a two Rs two crores flat. Plus they spoke about the loan. So let me tell you that it was the choice given to her. In fact, later I was told that she paid off the loan and that a friend gave her that money to do so.”

Rajev continues, “Which friend gives you Rs 10 to 15 lakhs? Tell me… They also spoke about me being jobless for 14 years. Had I been jobless, they wouldn’t have asked me to pay her Rs two crores at the time of the divorce. And yes, I did have a difficult phase in my life, but who does not go through it? All of us have come across difficult phases in life. In fact, my friend Manish Goel has been looking out for work for a while, but it does not mean that his wife will leave him.”

Furthermore, he goes on to talk of his ex brother-in-law. “The family went on talking about me being jobless but then Bakhtiyaar has got all his work because of his wife Tanaaz. Had it not been for her, he wouldn’t have got any of the shows,” Rajev maintains.

So do you too hold Delnaaz’s family responsible for your long time relationship coming to an end? “Yes, it could have been saved and everybody including Farah (Khan) who was on the show, said this,” he observes.

But then you were seen flirting with Sana? “It was portrayed that way. I was obviously there with her most of the times as when you’re in a house with very few people, you don’t like everyone. And you tend to stay with the ones you are comfortable with. I was friends with Sana and that is why I was around her most of the time. From kitchen to the bathroom area, it was a long walk; so I used to take her along. Because, there are times when you want to wash your hands or put moisturizer or there could be any other reason and you get bored walking all alone. It’s understandable.”

Do you still have feelings for Delnaaz? “I will always be thankful to this show, for in spite of our divorce there wasn’t a closure in my life. But it was only in this house that I realised that we are not meant to be together. I still respect her and will be there for her whenever she needs me,” he maintains.

Do you think Delnaaz’s statement on your character harmed you in anyways? “Yes, it did affect my past, present and future. As in spite of everybody else on the show being friendly and warm towards other people in the house, I was looked differently. I had to call Aashka (Goradia) and Urvashi (Dholakia) my sisters to clear things for people. How else could have I addressed them as,” Rajev questions.

Salman Khan christened you Paul Pacino. “(laughs) Yes, he showed a lot of love and affection towards me and was always friend and a guide to me. People felt that he was partial towards me, so be it. He also gave me a lot of advice post-the show and asked me to move on,” he exclaims.

What’s next? “I have been getting a lot of show offers and I am really happy about it. So, I’d be travelling a lot plus I am looking forward to releasing my book in London and Dubai so, I’d be busy with that again. But ideally I would love to anchor or host shows,” he concludes.

We wish you a blissful life ahead…Rajev. You are the true Paul Pacino of the TV industry.