In a dramatic turn during episode 24 of Bigg Boss 19, aired on September 17, 2025, the show’s first wild card entrant, actor Shehbaz Badesha, sparked outrage among housemates after a prank he orchestrated with singer Amaal Mallik went horribly wrong. The lighthearted stunt, intended to add fun to the house dynamics, instead escalated into accusations of manipulation and deceit, leading several contestants to demand a boycott of Shehbaz and calls for his eviction.
The episode, themed around “Gharwalon Ki Sarkaar” (House Residents’ Government), featured ongoing tensions post-Kunickaa Sadanand’s captaincy resignation and Ashnoor Kaur’s brief takeover. Shehbaz, known from his roles in Punjabi films and TV shows like Tera Mera Ki Rishta, entered as the wild card on day 20, aiming to shake up alliances. Teaming up with Amaal Mallik—brother of Armaan Malik and a judge on shows like Indian Idol—Shehbaz staged an elaborate prank during a group task involving resource allocation in the house kitchen.
The duo pretended to “steal” essential supplies like ration items and utensils, hiding them to create chaos and blame it on other housemates, including Gaurav Khanna and Zeishan Quadri. The plan was to reveal it as a joke later, but the prank dragged on, causing genuine frustration as the house ran short on food amid the task’s restrictions. When the truth emerged, instead of laughter, it triggered backlash: Tanya Mittal labeled it “irresponsible and divisive,” while Shivam Dube called Shehbaz a “troublemaker” disrupting the fragile peace. Amaal, who was seen defending the prank initially, faced equal ire for enabling it, with some accusing him of using his celebrity status to bully others.
Housemates like Farrhana Bhatt and Awez Darbar rallied for a “boycott Shehbaz” movement, refusing to interact with him during the episode’s nomination discussions. Bigg Boss intervened via audio, warning against escalating conflicts but not disqualifying anyone. Host Salman Khan, in the weekend ka vaar preview, is expected to address the issue, potentially grilling Shehbaz on his strategy.
Shehbaz defended himself, saying, “It was just a prank to break the ice, but I misjudged the timing,” while Amaal apologized, admitting, “We didn’t mean to hurt anyone; it was supposed to be fun.” The incident has divided the house further, with alliances shifting—Ashnoor and Abhishek Bajaj siding against the pranksters—setting the stage for intense nominations. Fans on social media are split, with some praising the wild card’s bold entry and others slamming it as “immature.” As Bigg Boss 19 progresses on Colors TV and JioCinema, this controversy underscores the high-stakes drama of the season.
