Bigg Boss has long held its place as one of the most debated shows in Indian television history. The credit for much of its appeal goes to Salman Khan, who has been the face of the show for several seasons. While many dream of being part of this reality show, for veteran actor Puneet Issar, it wasn’t a choice he made willingly.
In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Puneet shared a surprising story about how he landed inside the Bigg Boss house. He revealed that it all happened when he was regularly visiting Salman Khan’s home to narrate a film script. At the time, Salman was busy hosting Bigg Boss. Puneet recalled, “Wo tab Bigg Boss house mein hota tha, bola Puns udhar aaja yaar.”
When the show’s team noticed Puneet, they immediately showed interest in bringing him into the game. They approached Salman with the idea, and he readily agreed. Puneet, however, wasn’t thrilled. He told them he was focused on directing a film and didn’t want to get involved. But Salman wouldn’t take no for an answer. Puneet shared how Salman insisted, saying, “Puns, you will have to do it. Do one thing, go. Ek do hafte ke liye jaa, bahar le aaunga tere ko.”
Trusting Salman, Puneet signed the papers without fully understanding what he was getting into. He admitted that he wasn’t even aware of the show’s format. It was only when he got home and spoke to his daughter that the reality of the situation began to sink in. His daughter was shocked to hear about his decision. Puneet asked if she knew about Bigg Boss, and she responded by asking if he had ever watched it. She made him sit and watch a couple of episodes.
It was then that Puneet realised what he had committed to. He admitted he got cold feet after watching the infamous Dolly Bindra episode. The chaos, shouting matches, and relentless abuse terrified him. Puneet recalled how the housemates openly cursed and fought, which left him anxious about stepping into that environment.
Initially, the plan was for Puneet to stay inside the house for two to three weeks. But as fate would have it, he ended up staying for almost three months. He laughed at the memory, remembering how he went in reluctantly and somehow lasted far longer than he expected.
Looking back, Puneet believes the Bigg Boss house is more than just a reality show. He feels it transforms the people who enter it. In his view, it serves as a kind of rehabilitation space. According to him, it teaches lessons no school can offer. Puneet remarked, “Bigg Boss should be named as a correction center.” He said that the experience forces you to manage hunger, control anger, and develop self-discipline.
Puneet and Salman have shared a bond for years, one that goes beyond the screen. The two worked together on Garv: Pride and Honour, where Puneet directed Salman in the lead role. Their relationship is more like that of brothers than colleagues.
