Celebrated Indian singer Neha Bhasin is one of the few confirmed contestants of Bigg Boss OTT. The voice behind Jag Ghoomeya, Swag Se Swagat and Laung Gawacha among other songs, is a little nervous but prepared for her participation in the controversial reality-based show, set to stream on August 8 on Voot.
In an exclusive interview with Zoom Digital, Bhasin opened up about her final thoughts. “I was feeling a little nervous but now I’m feeling prepared. This is the last night I can sleep comfortably in my bed,” she quipped, adding, “I’ve been thinking for the past few days and it’s not my personality to think so much… I just want to have a good time in the house and everything else, I will leave it on the universe.” The singer, who is a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, wishes to be in this frame of mind and believes that if she continues to be optimistic, she can conquer anything.
Asked as to what made her say yes to Bigg Boss OTT, Bhasin joked, “Lack of judgment,” and laughed her heart out. She then explained that it’s a leap of faith for her, and she hopes that the show makes her stronger. “I want to come out smiling, laughing, and not traumatised.” The singer, who has had a “blessed career” so far also hopes that Bigg Boss OTT opens better doors for her.
“And for everybody, who is looking for that on the show, may I entertain people, may I make them happy and may they find joy in watching me on OTT and TV,” she said, adding that she is also hoping to meet some interesting people inside the Bigg Boss house.
It was in 2002 that Neha auditioned for Coke Popstars and won the competition to be a part of India’s most popular all-girls band, Viva. The singer started her journey with a reality show, which also wasn’t easy at all. “It was so strict at that point in time. We weren’t allowed to meet people, talk to people, chaperoned everywhere and we were very young. I started my career at the top, and you can’t have a better platform and a launchpad than what I had,” she recounted. Bhasin has led her career by her heart, and as she says, without the support of any godfather in the entertainment business. The singer-lyricist, however, hasn’t had it easy. She has had her share of ups and downs, and Bhasin isn’t scared to talk about the good, bad, and ugly of showbiz.
“At a young age, life taught me a lot of lessons. I was just 18 or 19 at that time and it took me many years to come out of that – good, bad, and ugly,” she said. She is now at her happiest phase – both personally and professionally. But Bhasin, too, had a low phase in her life.
“Of course, that has been the starting first 10 years of my career. It took me a long time to talk about it. Yes, I’ve been very low, I thought I won’t survive. I thought I won’t make it, not just in my career but in life too. I thought I wouldn’t make it in life because it was so disheartening…” she said, articulating, “When you first land up in the world, you realise that the world is not a pretty place. I wouldn’t say I looked at the world with rose-tinted glasses but again, when you’re optimistic, you think everyone is like that. But there are so many people who want to push you down. And it really broke my heart for many many years.”
She further added, “So I’ve been through my long cycle of depression, therapy, bulimia, and body image issues. I’ve been through all of it, so it’s not been easy at all.” Bhasin stresses that while people feel that struggle is only of financial matters, there are more struggles in life too, especially when you are a woman.
Bhasin explained, “I’m not playing the woman card. But especially being a woman who is not afraid of her mindset and her body. You know people don’t like it when you are happy. And that’s the easiest targets.” Having said that, Neha believes that this is the cycle of life, and there are good things and people in it too.
The singer, who is now set to participate in the Karan Johar-hosted Bigg Boss OTT, is certain that she won’t bully anyone inside the house. “People get into groups and make fun of somebody and that is something I won’t tolerate. I think we are all adults and of course, we will be angry sometimes, but I still feel that if something happens in the heat of the moment, then you have to end it there and not carry for the next few months and make each other’s life hell,” she said.
