It brought Rubina and me close: Abhinav on Rakhi pulling his drawstrings

Mumbai: Bigg Boss 14's Abhinav Shukla in a no-holds-barred interview talks candidly about Jasmin Bhasin, Rakhi Sawant, Aly Goni, Nikki Tamboli and lots more. Shukla takes questions on Rakhi pulling the strings of his shorts and Jasmin not getting along with his wife Rubina Dilaik who triumphed in the finale. ETimes TV also discussed Aly Goni and lots more:

How were you saying that Rubina will definitely win, much before the finale? There was a similar general feeling, and it was the same in case of Sidharth Shukla last year...

Around the 5th week, Eijaz Khan said that he was sure that Jasmin would win. Few people believed him and even I felt that Jasmin was a very strong contender who would reach the finale. But Rubina and I hadn't gone out ever, so we really didn't know what the janta verdict was on us. It was only when Vikas Gupta entered that I learned from him that I was being well-received. As for Rubina, her growing popularity on the show was simply organic.

But the very fact that you'll didn't go out made more tongues wag that Rubina was a pre-decided winner... No, It was just that there was a marked change in the public perception towards other contestants who went out and returned. They were just not the same when they came back. On the other hand, Rubina was constant in her approach and opinions, whether one agreed with her or disagreed.

I fail to understand how a show, even though you were locked inside it with your wife for a long duration- but again amidst 10-12 other contestants, can put your marriage back on track? Didn't the bitter memories come rolling back when you made an exit and she was still inside?

It's like two individuals who know each other but have problems with each other get suddenly surrounded by many others who are plotting their downfall. So those two get together and start fighting for a common cause- and then that togetherness in adversity gets them back together. And believe me, I had told Rubina before we entered the house that our tiffs at home would look much trivial in front of the fights that we'll witness inside. And that happened! So slowly but surely, we decided to work on our weaknesses and increase the strengths in our relationship.

You have made some cliched statements in some of your interviews that your marital issues arose because Rubina and you are both strong individuals. Most warring couples say the same thing. We want to know what were the issues per se...

Well, there was largely only one issue. I am a very mission/task person. I just want it done and for that, I tend to speak in a harsh tone that doesn't go down well with Rubina. And sometimes, I tend to get aggressive with that. But 'Bigg Boss 14' has taught me how to handle situations in life. My tone has to be correct and Rubina will understand the logic. As for your question on we being two strong individuals, the fact is that we both have had our own struggles and succeeded in our respective fields. She came from Himachal Pradesh, I came from Ludhiana. If you have had a journey like us, you become a very strong personality who does not compromise and wants things to happen only in the way he/she wants.

So, you are saying you both are fiercely independent and have been stubborn at times...

Yes. Plus add the lockdown to this, where people are sitting close in one or two rooms and there's hardly any provision of privacy and many difference of opinions. The lockdown amplified the daily instances of our married life to an unrequired proportion.

So, are you taking the blame upon yourself?

Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Again this is cliched! But it's true that women are designed in such a manner that they won't understand if you speak to them badtameezi se. Or, they don't want to understand then. So yes, I take the blame upon myself.

Your fight with Aly Goni?

I like Aly. It's all chill now. It happened in the heat of the moment when the task was going on. It was like a college thing.

Your wife said that Jasmin Bhasin did not wish her (and then said that Jasmin did wish her on stage) after she won...

It really does not matter if Jasmin wished Rubina or not. The whole world is congratulating Rubina! Frankly, I could never understand Jasmin.

Rubina has said that Jasmin was a very different person when she returned to the House after exiting it...

She was a different person no doubt. So we were all quite puzzled, frankly.

Let's visualise a situation: Sometime down the line, you and Rubina meet Nikki and Jasmin in a party. You both will hug Nikki and ignore Jasmin?

I don't know about Rubina but I will definitely do a 'namaste' to Jasmin. I am not her enemy.

Rakhi Sawant pulled the strings of your shorts?

It was a violation of my personal space. It was not cool. Whatever happened after that was shown, nothing was edited pre or post.

Your wife jumped into the fracas and said something to Rakhi to the effect of: 'Lay off. This is my husband!' Did you feel happy and proud?

Yes. It became an instinctive response that thereafter we'll watch each other's back. Thanks to the other contenders (smiles).

Did that incident bring you'll closer?

Absolutely. It gave me a sense of belonging.

Devoleena Bhattacharjee went on record to say that Nikki Tamboli travelled a distance in 'Bigg Boss 14' simply because she clung on to Rubina from Day 1..

I disagree. You stay in this show if you get the public's votes and not otherwise. If Nikki was nice to Rubina, it was just perhaps that she had realised after going out, that Rubina is a nice person.

Babies?

(Shakes his head and smiles) Abhi socha nahi hai.

When is the next trip to the hills with Rubina? You are very fond of trekking...

Yes, so in fact 2 trips planned. One my style, the other will be a luxurious one Ruby (as he fondly calls Rubina) wants. But not immediately. Now is the time to accept the good assignments that we both are getting.