'Salmanji targeted me... this hurt...'

Aaliya Siddiqui, ex-wife of Nawazuddin Siddiqui, opens up about her stay in the Bigg Boss OTT 2 House — being hurt by Salman Khan’s treatment of her, and how Pooja Bhatt misbehaved with her too.

Excerpts from her interview:

Didn’t you want to win BB OTT 2?

Yes, I wanted to win, but my housemates didn’t allow me to remain. If I had, I would have won.

As soon as I targeted Pooja Bhatt, she tried to take revenge in petty ways. She picked on me for issues like forgetting to dispose off a used sanitary napkin which I had left in a closed bathroom, and washing Abishek’s clothes when he was ill. Anyways, it was an experience — a journey. I have no regrets, I lived there as I live life, I don’t have double standards.

What are the pros, now that you’re out of OTT BB 2?

The love and support shown to me by my fans and the audience means no less to me than actually winning the trophy. I am content. No regrets at all. Also, I was fed up being with my housemates who went after me for no rhyme or reason. I was eager to come out as I wanted to visit my kids in Dubai.

Did you feel the host Salman Khan was partial towards some people, but not you?

I feel what Salman told me should apply to everyone in the house. He said, “Apni personal baatein aap sab ko pakad ke bol rahi hai aur apne parivar ko lekar aur unki mother (Nawaz's mom) ko lekar yeh sab baat mat kariye.” In fact, I did not go out of the way to tell anyone about my matrimonial life. Abhishek (Malhan) asked me about it, and I told him in ten minutes. Salman did not take cognizance of this. Also, Pooja Bhatt was playing victim card, not me. Salmanji should have pointed a finger at Pooja for this, but he targeted me. This partiality hurt me a lot.

Why do you think Salman Khan behaved that way?

Ek Khan saab dusre Khan saab ki maadat karenge hi. (One Khan will support another Khan)

Are you planning to change your surname?

I have decided to change it from Aaliya Siddiqui to Aaliya Anand Kishore (maiden name).

Do you think Bollywood folk are ugly and mean?

Bollywood always supports people belonging to the industry. I feel, when I become a part of this industry, they will support me too. I don’t want such support though.