Bigg Boss Telugu 3’s Ali Reza: Anger is the only emotion you can’t fake but I don’t have anger management issues

The elimination of Ali Reza, one of the strongest contestants in the house, took Bigg Boss fandom by surprise. The competent contestant was often dubbed as the ‘Arjun Reddy of the house’ for being loud and aggressive in the house especially in the tasks. But his eviction was one of the most emotional episodes in the history of Bigg Boss Telugu too. In an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, Ali pours his heart out about his Bigg Boss journey.

I initially thought I might have fallen short of the required voted back. But now I feel that everyone including people who admire me and my game assumed that there is no chance I would get eliminated and didn’t vote.

In all the fights that showcase me playing an aggressive game in the show, there is always something that happened before and after that particular shot that has been telecast. In fact, I was shocked to realise how little was shown in the episode. And as a common man, I wouldn’t have voted to someone like Ali based on what I saw in the episode. So, people are not at fault and as contestants neither we have control over what is being telecast nor a say on it. They reserve the right to telecast anything they want.

I’m someone who could make a decision on my own (to work) at the age of mere 19. So, nobody can influence me and my friends and family knows this better. I don’t think what Sreemukhi, Siva Jyothi intended to influence me. If your close friends try to stop you from arguing with someone on the road, is that influencing? I was telling people on their face then and they (Sreemukhi, Siva Jyothi and Ravikrishna) were advising against it because it might sound rude. But again, this is not me.

Let me tell you something. Anger is an expression like love and it is the only emotion that you can’t fake. By the way, I seriously don’t have anger management issues in real life (laughs). Yes, my voice is loud. I used to work in our café right when I was a teen and my workplace demanded me to be louder.

Trust me, I’ve never yelled at anyone more than I did in the house. The high pressure situations, lack of enough sleep and food in the house can rub anyone on the wrong side very quickly and I’m not an exception too.

I was recently told that my parents tried to get me out for the funeral when my mama (uncle) passed away. But after learning that it is not possible, they didn’t even pass me the message as it would affect my game. Bigg Boss is that important to me and my family. Moreover, I’m not someone who would accept defeat. So, I can’t be anything but serious about the game.

Baba Bhaskar is an accomplished choreographer and I have the highest regard for him. Besides the fun-loving person he is, Baba never took any task seriously which pricked me at times. I couldn’t digest it at all.

When I was given the special power as a captain to nominate someone, Baba was the one who suggested me not to nominate Varun as it was their wedding anniversary. Moreover, Vithika and Varun sought my blessings. So, I promised Vithika that I will not nominate her that day since I couldn't give her any other gift. I nominated Baba because the others were already nominated and I didn’t want to nominate someone else without a valid reason. He got emotional when I nominated him and I wasn’t aware of this until I was shown the video. But he joined the others in nominating me towards the end. Anyways, it is all in the game.

I don’t feel apologetic about anything I did in the house except for the episode with Himaja. It literally got me down. I felt guilty. The fact that Himaja cheated me in the task and drank the water twice doesn’t change but I shouldn’t have pulled the money from her pocket.

I think even quite a few male contestants are playing the card often. I find it cheap. It burns me when people cleverly take advantage of the sensitivity around it. Playing fair is as important as giving your 100% in the task.

For everyone who thought I was playing like a no-brainer, let me tell you what actually happened. In the captaincy task where we had to snatch the gun from Shilpa, I tried to open the knots tied to Shilpa to snatch the gun. I opened two out of the three knots when Varun slept on the third knot. So I had to push him and people complained that I was getting aggressive without applying brains. I could have cut the knots with a knife but it would have definitely hurt her or someone in that tussle. I warned Ravi against breaking the glass with his fist in the first captaincy task as I knew it would hurt him. Now I feel this game is for people who use 80% Dimaag (brain) and 20% Dil (heart) but I was just the opposite.

I feel Bigg Boss is a game to know what kind of a person you are. It is up to you how to play. But it hurts me when people play keeping votes in mind. It gives an impression that anyone who can act well wins the game and others get evicted.

I used to speak to my wife on the camera. There is no count of instance I said ‘I love you’ and ‘I miss you’

I used to sing songs to kill time. Of course, my lyrics were pathetic and housemates used to laugh at my songs (laughs).

I feel life inside the Bigg Boss house constantly controlled by someone, is actually tougher than imprisonment. You have freedom especially payrolls in prisons but not here (laughs).

I was overwhelmed to see the hashtag going viral. It shows the immense love people have for me. I strived for the title, fame and Rs. 50 lakh cash prize. I can’t have the money now (laughs). But I can’t ask for more love. I can earn money later but this is something you don’t get often.

I’m not approached yet. Honestly, I haven’t thought about it too. I’m aware of the fact that criticism is inevitable no matter how you perform. But I don’t think I want to change anything about me even if I re-enter the show. I’m happy being myself and I’m happier that people loved me this way.