Baseer Ali has always been a favourite face when it comes to reality shows, from Roadies to Splitsvilla and Ace of Space. Known for his quick wit, charm and competitive streak, he now steps into the biggest reality show of them all: Bigg Boss 19, hosted by Salman Khan.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today before entering the show, the ‘Kundali Bhagya’ actor opened up about what makes him hungry for non-fiction TV shows, how life in Mumbai has changed him, and why this season feels like his moment.
We asked him whether he was planning to set a record for the maximum number of reality shows one can participate in. With a loud laugh, Baseer Ali said that India is introducing different formats, and he hopes to do them all: “But it also becomes very difficult when you do Bigg Boss, because then you ask, what’s next after this? I hope Colors offers me Khatron Ke Khiladi or Laughter Chef next, for I am absolutely game for more.”
While he was already part of Ace of Space 2, a captive reality show, the actor maintained that it had been six years, and he was hungry to be here. “I also feel I have changed, grown and evolved over the years. All these years, I lived in Hyderabad, in my comfort zone with my family and people around. Now, I have been in Mumbai for four years now, and I also did a fiction show. I have learnt so much more about life, especially in a professional setup,” he explained.
Continuing further, he stated, “That experience of waking up and showing up every single day, living up to responsibilities, has changed me from that boy to a man. This new change has been appreciated by my friends and family a lot. And my mother actually told me, ‘I think now you’re ready for Bigg Boss.’ So I think this was my time.”
His popularity with fans is undeniable. But does he feel that it would give him an edge? The actor replied, “I am quite popular, yes. But there could be more popular people on the show. Only the best of the best manage to be here, and it’s going to be a tough competition. But yeh sab followers, views aur yeh sab karke aap Bigg Boss jeetne waale nahi ho (All these fans, followers and views will not make you win the show). It is all about personalities, and the audience will pick their side based on that.”
For Baseer Ali, it’s not an option between winning or having a memorable journey, as he wants to achieve both. He said that he couldn’t have the worst journey and end up winning. “I don’t want a victory like that. And I don’t want to have the most entertaining journey and lose in the end,” the actor quipped.
When it comes to his favourite contestants from previous seasons, the was quick to name them. “There are a lot of people. From way back, I really liked Imam Siddiqui. Pooja Mishra – she was my number one,” he said with a chuckle.
We also discussed how love stories often become the highlight of Bigg Boss. While many question whether these connections are genuine, Baseer Ali was quick to point out that they’re definitely genuine till they are inside the house, as there are only a limited number of people around.
“As soon as you go back to your house outside this circus, you are in your own space, and everything disconnects. Mujhe bhi feel hua hai pichle shows mein (I have also experienced this). But then, there are people like Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash or Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary, so many who actually ended up being together. I think it’s different for different people,” he remarked.
When asked if he would be open to finding love inside the house, he smiled and said, “Yes, I am, and, like I said, anywhere. But on the show, I am going to be calculated. I’ll take my time, take baby steps. If someone’s coming two steps close to me, I will see all kinds of probabilities, and only then move ahead with it.”
On a final note, we asked Baseer Ali if he could sneak in three things or people with him. “I would sneak in my house help first, because who’s going to cook for me? Then my PlayStation, or my car, or even a football for that matter.”