The Bigg Boss Season 9 Grand Finale turned deeply emotional for runner-up Tanuja, whose personal revelations during the Bigg Boss Buzz interview touched the hearts of viewers. While the parents of all other Top 5 finalists were present at the finale, Tanuja’s father was noticeably absent.
According to Tanuja, her father has opposed her decision to enter the entertainment industry from the beginning and has not spoken to her since. Despite this, she dreamt of winning the Bigg Boss title and proudly telling him, “This is your daughter.” That dream, however, remained unfulfilled.
The promo of the Buzz interview has moved even those who were previously critical of Tanuja. Every word she said showed the pain, the truth, and the emotional value. It didn’t break her heart losing the title but storytelling of her difficult relationship with her father made her weep.
In the course of the interview, host Shivaji questioned if the Bigg Boss experience was rewarding to her. Tanuja replied,
“Yes, sir. We laughed, we cried, we got angry. It was a journey filled with mixed emotions.”
Addressing perceptions about her gameplay, Shivaji questioned why she sometimes addressed Bharani as ‘Nanna’ and sometimes as ‘Sir’. Tanuja explained that she entered the house with one goal—to win.
“No matter how much love or respect I have, I had to set it aside to play my game,” she said.
When Shivaji asked about claims that she was an opportunist, Tanuja dismissed them firmly.
“If I were one, I wouldn’t help others play better or point out their mistakes,” she stated.
The conversation turned emotional when Shivaji remarked that she could have chosen the ₹20 lakh offer. Tanuja responded strongly:
“I don’t work for money. My audience is my god. They brought me here and they take care of me.”
The most powerful moment came when Shivaji asked about the finale, where all Top 5 contestants stood with their parents. Tanuja revealed she had hoped her father would be there.
“I imagined placing the trophy before my father and saying—this is your daughter. My profession may change, but my character never will. Wherever I go, my family name will remain,” she said, breaking down.
She further explained why she carries her father’s name with pride, adding,
“Many think Puttaswamy is my surname. I keep it because I love my father and will carry his name till my last breath.”
Tanuja’s assertion—that a woman’s character is not affected by her job—has resonated with the viewers. Her heartfelt testimony has turned into a strong comfort for parents who are concerned about their daughters going into the film industry, thus, her interview has been one of the most powerful moments of Bigg Boss Season 9.
