‘Bigg Boss 20’ began on September 6 with discussions around contestants’ relationships and personal lives emerging from the first day. Television actress Mahhi Vij referred to the divorces of Isha Rikhi and boxing champion Mary Kom during a conversation and described the season as a “divorcee special,” prompting a reaction from Isha.
During a conversation, contestant Kanika asked Mahhi Vij whether she was single. Mahhi initially declined to discuss her personal life. Later, while speaking with Isha Rikhi, she discussed gossip and relationships.
Mahhi said she likes gossip and wants to know who is having an affair with whom outside the show. During the conversation, she referred to herself, Isha and a boxer as “divorcees” and said they were going through their “second innings.”
Mahhi also asked Isha why she had joined ‘Bigg Boss’. Isha responded that she had entered the show to establish her own identity rather than being known as someone’s wife or girlfriend.
Mahhi told Isha that she had been discussed on the internet for the previous two months. Isha reiterated that she wanted to establish her identity independently.
Isha objected to Mahhi repeatedly bringing up relationships and divorce. She questioned why Mahhi was so interested in the subject when both she and Mary Kom did not want to discuss it.
Mahhi later questioned Olympic medallist and boxing champion Mary Kom about her personal life and divorce. Mary Kom declined to discuss the subject further.
Mahhi subsequently said that it was not necessary to always speak negatively about an ex-partner and that a relationship could also have good memories and positive aspects.
Mahhi Vij and actor Jay Bhanushali married in 2011. The couple fostered Rajveer and Khushi in 2017, and their daughter Tara was born in 2019.
In January 2026, Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali announced their separation after 14 years of marriage. They also stated that they would continue to raise their children together and remain supportive of each other.
Punjabi actress Isha Rikhi’s name has previously been linked with rapper Badshah. In 2026, photographs related to their marriage surfaced, leading to increased discussion about their relationship. Around five months later, reports of their separation emerged.
The two did not publicly clarify the reason for their separation. The reference to Isha’s personal life on the first day of ‘Bigg Boss 20’ therefore brought the subject back into discussion.
Boxing legend Mary Kom and Karung Onkholer married in 2005. Their relationship remained the subject of public discussion for years. In December 2023, the two divorced by mutual consent under customary practices.
Mary Kom publicly confirmed the divorce in 2025. When Mahhi raised questions about her relationship and divorce on ‘Bigg Boss 20’, Mary Kom declined to continue the discussion.
Discussions about contestants’ personal lives are a recurring part of ‘Bigg Boss’. In the opening episode of this season, references to divorce and past relationships emerged during conversations among the contestants.
Mahhi’s comments led to discussions about gossip and relationships, while Isha maintained that she wanted to focus on establishing her own identity. Mary Kom also declined to discuss her divorce.
