Bigg Boss Malayalam 8 contestant Nilina Elizabeth Joseph has broken her silence on the controversy involving Gautham following her eviction from the reality show. In a video message, Nilina explained why the incident upset her, clarified her position on the matter and appealed to viewers to stop the online abuse directed at her.
She also spoke about the psychological and physical challenges of living inside the Bigg Boss house, her emotional connection with fellow contestant Noby and the impact of the backlash she has received since leaving the show.
Nilina Says She Felt Unsafe Following Gautham Incident
Addressing the controversy, Nilina said she learned about the alleged incident when host Mohanlal told her that Gautham had secretly peeped at her and lifted her blanket while she was asleep.
Nilina admitted that she had not watched enough footage of the incident at the time and therefore did not fully understand its seriousness. However, she said hearing about it later made her deeply uncomfortable.
She explained that she has a strong aversion to anyone secretly looking at her and that her own experiences, along with incidents involving her friends, had contributed to her discomfort.
“I am not saying that Gautham is unsafe for all women. But in that moment, in that particular incident, I felt unsafe as a woman,” Nilina said.
She added that the situation might have been different if Gautham had spoken to her and explained what had happened. However, she maintained that she felt upset and unsafe at that moment.
Nilina also said the incident was not merely about Gautham but about the environment inside the house and her feeling that she did not even have the freedom to sleep peacefully.
Clarifies Noby's Role in Raising the Issue
Nilina also defended Noby, who reportedly raised the matter during the nomination process. She clarified that she had told him she no longer felt safe following the incident.
According to Nilina, Noby suggested that they could bring up the matter during nominations, and she believes this was why he raised it. She urged viewers not to target him over the controversy, stating that she was the one who had shared her concerns with him.
Nilina further addressed speculation about her relationship with Noby. She said their similarities and the jokes they shared in the initial days were casual, but she eventually developed an emotional connection with him.
Explaining the circumstances, she said the isolation inside the house led her to become emotionally dependent on Noby, whom she considered her only support system.
She maintained that her feelings were genuine, regardless of what people outside the house might think about their bond.
Nilina Opens Up About Life Inside the Bigg Boss House
Reflecting on her experience, Nilina said she had initially believed that life inside the Bigg Boss house would be easier than it appeared on television. As a viewer, she had even wondered whether the contestants' struggles with food and sleep were scripted.
However, she said her experience inside the house changed her perception completely.
Nilina explained that inadequate food, disturbed sleep and losing track of time and reality could affect contestants both mentally and physically. She said the combined pressure could become overwhelming after just three or four days.
She also clarified that she had no personal grudges against any contestant. According to her, her comments and confrontations were directed at their gameplay rather than their character as individuals.
Appeals Against Cyberbullying
Nilina said she has been facing severe cyberbullying since her participation in the show and is receiving hundreds of abusive messages every day.
Appealing to viewers, she reminded them that contestants are human beings and deserve to live without being subjected to relentless online abuse.
She urged people who disagreed with her actions inside the house to express their opinions without resorting to personal attacks or abusive language.
Nilina also expressed concern about the impact of cyberbullying on young people, saying she did not want another 23-year-old woman to experience the kind of harassment she is currently facing.
She concluded her message by apologising to anyone she might have hurt knowingly or unknowingly, including members of her family.
Conclusion
Nilina Elizabeth Joseph's statement has brought her perspective on the Gautham controversy and her experience inside Bigg Boss Malayalam 8 into focus. While reiterating that she felt unsafe during the incident, she clarified Noby's role in raising the issue and called for an end to the cyberbullying directed at her.
Nilina was among the four wildcard contestants who entered the show following a mass eviction. However, her journey came to an end after just two weeks inside the Bigg Boss house.