From Ashnoor Kaur, Hina Khan To Late Shefali Jariwala, The Contestants Who Were Body Shamed in the Bigg Boss House

Every season, Bigg Boss brings together people from different professions and personalities. Actors, influencers, models, comedians, all put under one roof where emotions run high and filters disappear. And while the show is known for drama, tasks, and heated arguments, one issue keeps coming back every year: body-shaming.

It may look like “just comments” on TV, but these words can leave a lasting impact on mental health and self-esteem. The recent example was Ashnoor Kaur in Bigg Boss 19. But she is far from the only one. Over the years, several contestants have faced insults about their weight, height, skin, or looks from fellow housemates.

Here’s a look at some well-known names who went through it.

Ashnoor Kaur (Bigg Boss 19): Fat-Shamed by Multiple Housemates

• Ashnoor’s case gained attention because it happened so openly and repeatedly. Several housemates mocked her weight.  
• Tanya Mittal and Neelam Giri targeted her weight and face. They said things like "moti", compared her to Jurassic Park characters, and told her “does not look fit” despite working out.
• Even Kunickaa Sadanand joined in, making it worse until Salman Khan slammed them during Weekend Ka Vaar.

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Hina Khan (Bigg Boss 11): Mocked for Her Facial Features and Appearance

• Hina Khan was one of the most talked-about contestants in her season. But she, too, faced mean remarks from fellow housemates.
• While she was often seen commenting on others, she also received appearance-based digs herself.
• Some contestants mocked her “cosmetic look”. Others teased her facial features, calling her “plastic”.
• The criticism followed her outside the house, showing how comments made in anger, or even jokingly, can follow a person long after the show ends.

Koena Mitra (Season 13): Ridiculed for Her Surgical Changes

• Koena’s time on Bigg Boss was short, but the comments she faced were intense.
• Contestants made fun of her face, especially after her cosmetic procedures.
• Remarks about her expressions, looks, and “stiffness” became a running joke inside the house.
• For someone who already faced trolling outside the show, the inside environment made it worse. Koena later said in interviews that people forget that public figures are human too.

Shefali Jariwala (Season 13): Mocked for Features and Body Type

• The late Shefali Jariwala, famous for “Kaanta Laga”, entered Bigg Boss 13 with confidence. Yet even she wasn’t spared.
• Some contestants poked fun at her lips, facial expressions, and overall appearance.
• There were remarks that hinted she looked “too done up”.
• Such comments pushed her to speak about the pressure women feel to look “perfect” on television and how quickly that perfection becomes a target.

Lopamudra Raut (Season 10): Teased for Her Jawline and ‘Model Looks’

• Lopamudra Raut came from a pageant background, but even this worked against her at times.
• She was mocked for her jawline, height, and “pageant attitude”.
• Some contestants even said she looked “artificial”.
• She addressed these comments gracefully, but it showed how even traditionally attractive contestants deal with appearance-related bullying.

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Gautam Gulati (Season 8): Height-Shamed and Called ‘Short Hero’

• Gautam was one of the most loved winners, but before that, he faced a lot of teasing.
• Housemates mocked his height and called him “chhota hero”.
• During fights, his body frame and stature were used to put him down.
• While he handled it with humour, it’s still body-shaming and a reminder that men face it too.

Shilpa Shinde (Season 11): Fat-Shamed by Housemates

• Shilpa had a complicated season with many ups and downs.
• She was fat-shamed by fellow contestants, especially during task-related disagreements.
• Some comments included, “You are too heavy for this task”, “Look at your body”, and many others. 
• These lines may seem casual, but they reflect deep-rooted biases about how a woman should look.

Munawar Faruqui (Bigg Boss 17): Appearance-Based Comments During Fights

• Munawar faced several personal attacks during the season, including digs about his looks.
• Housemates used phrases like “you look weak”, “tired face”, or “not hero material”.
• Though not all were about weight, they still targeted his physical appearance.
• This is another reminder that body-shaming is not limited to women or weight alone.

How Body-Shaming May Hurt Emotional Well-Being?

Body-shaming can leave a deep mark on someone’s mental health. People may feel hurt, ashamed, or insecure about their own bodies. In one of our previous articles, Sheikh Uzma Jamal explained to start by “acknowledging your feelings honestly without guilt or blame.” 

Staying in an environment where such comments keep coming, like the house in a reality show or even among friends, can lead to stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. It impacts self-esteem, body image, and how someone sees themselves. Also, the inner hurt often lingers even after the insult is over, affecting confidence and mental peace.

What You Can Do and Practical Steps to Heal and Respond

If you or someone you know faces body shaming, there are things you can do to protect emotional well-being. As Uzma Jamal suggests, try to build a “pause protocol” like stepping away for fresh air or listening to calming music before reacting. 

Here are some helpful steps:

• Recognise and name your feelings honestly — it’s okay to feel hurt. 
• Reach out to trusted friends or loved ones for support when things get overwhelming. 
• Practice self-compassion. Talk to yourself as you would talk to a friend.
• Remind yourself that your worth is not defined by others’ opinions on your appearance. As Uzma puts it: “Your worth is not defined by others’ opinions.” 

If the shaming has strong negative effects — anxiety, low self-esteem, eating problems — consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counsellor.

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Conclusion

Body-shaming inside Bigg Boss may come across as “TV drama”, but for the person hearing it, the emotional impact is real. These comments can hurt self-worth, confidence, and mental health. And because the show is watched by millions, the effect goes even deeper.

As conversations around kindness, mental wellness, and body positivity grow, it becomes important to call out such behaviour.