Actor Aasif Khan is entering Bigg Boss 20 hoping to establish an identity beyond the characters that have made him familiar to audiences, particularly his popular role as the ‘Damaad ji’ in Panchayat.

In an exclusive conversation with India Today before entering the reality show, the 35-year-old said he wanted viewers to know him as Aasif rather than recognise him solely through his roles. He added that Bigg Boss also represents the final piece in a career that has taken him through theatre, films and OTT platforms.

A Bid To Move Beyond His Popular Characters

Aasif gained widespread recognition as the ‘Damaad ji’ from Panchayat after his dialogue, ‘Gajab beizzati hai’, became widely popular. However, the actor said his career extends beyond that character and other roles for which audiences may know him.

“My identity is not limited to that of the angry damaad from Panchayat. I have also done several films and even popular shows like Mirzapur and Paatal Lok. But now it’s time people know me as Aasif, and relate to me as a person.”

The actor said he believes success on Bigg Boss depends on more than an existing fan base and that contestants must demonstrate their abilities during the show.

“I firmly believe that winning this show is not just about having a fan base; it’s about your capabilities. To win the show, you have to prove you are capable, and I am ready for it. I have the love of my fans, and with my hard work, I hope to win the season,” he said.

Salman Khan And Television Complete His Career Journey

Aasif said one of the major reasons behind his decision to join Bigg Boss 20 was the opportunity to appear on a programme hosted by Salman Khan, whom he described as someone he has long admired.

He said television was the only major medium he had not explored after beginning his career in theatre, followed by work in films and the OTT space.

“Bhai is one of the biggest reasons I said yes. I am a die-hard fan. I started with theatre, then did films and worked in the OTT space. Television was the one medium missing from my journey. If I had to do TV, there couldn’t be a bigger platform than Bigg Boss. This just completes the missing block in my career,” he said with a smile.

For Aasif, the reality show therefore offers not only an opportunity to reach television audiences but also a chance to complete what he sees as an important stage of his professional journey.

Humour Over Aggression Inside The House

Aasif said he intends to give his full effort to the competition but does not see aggression as the only way for a contestant to make an impact inside the Bigg Boss house.

Describing himself as soft-hearted and a team player, the actor said viewers may nevertheless get to see another side of his personality during the course of the show.

“I will give this show 100 per cent. I am a soft-hearted person and an absolute team player, but there is also a hidden side to me that people may discover inside the house.”

He said he would prefer to rely on humour and conversations rather than confrontation while interacting with fellow contestants.

“I will try my best to make sure aggression isn’t needed. I would rather follow Mahatma Gandhi and stick to no aggression. I want to use humour and conversations instead,” Aasif said.

Inspired By Sidharth Shukla’s Personality

Although Aasif described himself as a fan of Bigg Boss, he said he has not followed every season closely and has largely kept track of the show through reels and short clips.

He said he followed the season featuring Ashutosh Kaushik, while Sidharth Shukla remained his favourite winner.

“I also followed Ashutosh Kaushik’s season, but Sidharth Shukla was my favourite winner. His personality really inspired me,” he said.

Aasif added that his mother and sister are considerably more dedicated followers of the reality show and regularly watch its 24×7 live stream.

According to the actor, his family’s advice before he entered the house was to avoid overthinking the competition and make the most of the experience.

“My mother and sister are ardent fans, and even follow the 24×7 live stream. Their first piece of advice for me was that I should do the show (laughs). They also told me that you should experience everything that comes your way, and have a lot of fun. They are actually happier about me entering the house than I am,” Aasif said.

A Large Contestant Line-Up For Bigg Boss 20

Aasif Khan is among the contestants entering the Bigg Boss 20 house alongside Isha Rikhi, MC Mary Kom, Aamrapali Dubey, Scoutop (Tanmay Singh), Qazi Touqeer, Harsh Machare aka Yung DSA, Mahhi Vij, Uditi Singh, Aman Gandhi, Kushal Tanwar (Gullu), Arishfa Khan, Love Gill, Rohed Khan, Rhiti Tiwari and Kanika Mann.

As he prepares to compete alongside the other contestants, Aasif’s stated objective is clear: to use his time inside the Bigg Boss house to introduce audiences to the person behind the characters they have watched on screen.

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