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I feel more confident now, says Riythvika

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Riythvika on how the experience at Bigg Boss helped her stay relevant in Kollywood

When Riythvika entered the Bigg Boss house, all she told her producers was that she’d be out for a couple of weeks. But she left the House three months later... with the coveted trophy in hand. In a chat with MetroPlus, the actor tells us about her stay in the House and what it took to win the title. Excerpts:

What made you sign up for Bigg Boss?

After Kabali, I wasn’t happy with the offers I was getting, so I decided that Bigg Boss was the right platform to remind people that I’m still relevant. I figured that maybe if directors saw me on television, they would think of me while writing a script.

What was it like, being filmed all the time?

Honestly, I was very conscious of the cameras at first. Even the mirrors had cameras... it was very unnerving for the first couple of weeks. However, after a while, I got used to it.

Do you think your stay in the House changed you as a person?

Before Bigg Boss, I have never been away from my parents. My mother would accompany me to all film shoots. I started taking independent decisions only during my stay inside. Now that I am out, I feel confident about myself.

What was most challenging about the show?

Before I went inside the House, I thought I’d miss my phone. But surprisingly, I didn’t. The toughest part for me was not being allowed to take a nap during the day!

Who did you consider yourself closest to in the House?

During my first few weeks, I had absolutely no friends. I was quite an introvert back then. But over time, I became good friends with Ponnambalam, Sendrayan and Balaji. Janani was also a great support.

A lot of people were rooting for you. In the weeks leading to the finale, did you feel you’d have a good chance at bagging the title?

After being repeatedly nominated for elimination, I thought I stood no chance. But I was saved, thanks to the support from the viewers. That really gave me confidence. I think audiences related to me because I spoke my mind without worrying too much about who might be watching.

Did you look up to Kamal Haasan, who hosted the show?

He was a big inspiration. He was our only connection to the outside world, so we’d always look forward to what he had to tell us.