Exclusive - Rubina Dilaik puts her Bigg Boss 14 gowns on virtual sale to support LGBTQIA+; says 'I am so happy that my winning moment can better other’s lives'

TV actress Rubina Dilaik, who emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss 14 early this year and has been the face of Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki for over four years now, has found an interesting way to celebrate the Pride month. The actress has decided to auction some of her favourite outfits worn during the BB 14 and other events.

She has decided to auction the gowns she wore at the time of her entry and on the finale of Bigg Boss 14 for an online charity sale benefiting the transgender community. The actress recently spoke to ETimes TV and spilled the beans about her plan and also her assocition with the LGBTQ communtiy.

"I am proud that I am associated with the cause and more than proud I am actually humbled that I could be of some service to this community. The LGBTQIA+ community has been long suppressed and if I can be the voice, I feel humbled enough. The day I won, it kind of decided that I wanted to auction my entry and the finale gown that I wore in the Bigg Boss house. I am so happy that my winning can or that moment can be a part of improving other’s lives as well. That emotion is way greater for me. So the emotion with my Bigg Boss 14 gown has now become an emotion for others as well. It can bring joy to other’s lives, and it is way more bigger joy for me," she shared.

When asked how being associated with the LGBT community has changed her as a person, Rubina said, "When we get to know, accept and acknowledge things that have kept away from us or are not being educated about the topic and situations, you become so self aware and mindful of things or people around that it changes. I have seen a change in myself, a human revolution in acknowledging this community, working with them and knowing them. So more than a professional, it has been a personal evolution which has worked for my own betterment. On a larger scale if I see, we have been able to give voice to the community through my show Shakti. I can proudly say that we have given employment to so many transgender and people who come under eunuch community. We have given them part to play in our show which in return has helped them to run their kitchen. The community has always acknowledged that because of our show they have got work in other spheres as well. We have created a movement of work, growth for them and I take pride in saying it because if we can be of any help to anyone, that’s what the purpose of life is."

Recently, to make her comeback on Shakti: Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki a special one, members of the #LGBTQ community associated with the show, got together on the first day of her shoot to warmly welcome the actress. They arranged a small celebration on the sets which left Rubina speechless, talking about the same, the actress shared, "They were not only celebrating my Bigg Boss 14 victory when we recently met, but also my return to Shakti. They were extremely heartbroken when I had left Shakti. They have been calling me and asking me to come back but I had my reasons. In all these years they have always remembered me in their happy and sad moments. I remember recently when I was down with COVID, I had received so many messages and calls, I really felt blessed. It feels we have touched so many lives not just professionally but you have touched them close enough and that’s why they remember you in joys and sorrows."

During one of the episodes of Bigg Boss 14, when two contestants got into a verbal fight and called each other Hijra, Rubina was the first to take notice and reprimanded the two. Reacting to the incident, Rubina shares that after playing the character of a transgender in the show, Shakti for 4 years, the character has become her second skin and that her outburst was instinctive, "As an artist your characters are always very close to you and they sometimes become your second skin. When the fight happened it was a natural instinctive reaction. I remember when I reacted to it and after a couple hours when I thought about it, I felt ok so it was an instinctive reaction. I was also surprised at myself because had I not done this show and not been this close to them, maybe my reaction would have been a little delayed. But this reaction was instant which proved that the character has become my second skin. This proved how close I feel to the character and the cause. That is also the reason why I want to voice and support them."

Rubina feels that more than celebrating the pride month, the need of the hour is to give the community employment and equal love and respect, "I feel more than celebrating the pride month, let’s give employment to this community and give equal love and respect to them. Let’s be vocal about them, come together and work towards their growth. Celebrations alone on social media will not provide food to them. Try to contribute towards their growth, it’s fine even if it is on a small level," she concluded.