20 October,2026 04:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Tanishaa Mukerji, Armaan Kohli (Pics/X)
Tanishaa Mukerji's stint on Bigg Boss 7 in 2013 saw her grow close to fellow contestant Armaan Kohli, with their relationship frequently making headlines. Years later, the actress has opened up about the emotional toll of the reality show, revealing that it took her six months to overcome what she described as brainwashing.
Speaking about her experience on the Unfolding Humans Podcast, Tanishaa said, "I did Bigg Boss, which I didn't know what I was getting into. My takeaway from Bigg Boss is: be careful what you put your fingers into. Relationships and friendships you have with anybody in your life are because of some karmic connection. Also, when you are in Bigg Boss, be very careful. They put you together in dump situations, in jail together, so again, you are sympathising with each other over your misery. All these experiences build fake emotions in you, which are not really yours. The emotions that have been built up are because of the experiences you have had together, which, again, you didn't choose to have. These are the situations determined by the people controlling the game show. These are the things I realised later."
Explaining why she felt comfortable around him, Tanishaa said people from the film industry often find it easier to connect because of their shared backgrounds. She had earlier revealed how the makers even used her family's name for limelight in the house.
She added, "And then the situations put us into those moments where there was a lot of trauma bonding. After I came out, I had to go to a psychiatrist. It took me six months to break out of Bigg Boss brainwashing. You have to be very careful when you go into these reality shows, and today, kids are a lot more sorted."
Armaan and Tanishaa's relationship began during their stint on Bigg Boss 7 in 2013. Their closeness on the reality show, including their romantic moments, frequently made headlines. After the show ended, the couple continued to be linked romantically, with Armaan describing Tanishaa as an important part of his life. However, their relationship ended in 2014.
Tanishaa has recently been grabbing attention for her presence at the annual Durga Puja celebrations. Ahead of the festivities, she even urged the paps not to trouble Jaya Bachchan, who also visits the pandal.
