Big Boss 18: Chum Darang Gives It Back to Shehzada’s Racist Comment, Fans React

Its barely been days that Big Boss Season 18 got underway, but its first controversy is already making waves. What is keeping everyone hooked to this season is Chum Darang, the contestant from Arunachal Pradesh, among others.

Shehzada Dhami’s Offensive Comment and Chum Giving it Back:
The controversy erupted during Big Boss 18 Monday night’s episode when Shehzada Dhami, contestant and an actor, made an inappropriate remark about Chum Darang referring to her Arunachal Pradesh background.

When the contestants were having dinner, Shehzada complained about the spiciness of the food, especially the chutney he had with his meal. The chutney, likely from sponsor brand Chings, was described as inspired by Chinese cuisine.

According to the reports from Hindustan Times, Shehzada remarked to Chum that the chutney must not be spicy for her since it’s “from her region,” implying a racial stereotype based on her Northeast Indian heritage. This comment immediately offended Chum, who didn’t hesitate to call him out for it. She almost swore at him but held back, letting Shehzada know how hurtful his words were.

Instead of apologizing, Shehzada responded by criticizing Chum for nearly using foul language, escalating the situation. He deflected blame, claiming that he was only joking and didn’t intend to offend. Other contestants, sensing the tension, soon got involved. Karan Veer Mehra, another housemate, stepped in to explain to Shehzada that people from the Northeast often face such insensitive remarks and that he should be more thoughtful. Karan’s intervention added fuel to the fire, as the argument grew more intense with other housemates taking sides.

Chum’s response was a clear rejection of such bias, and she made it evident that she wouldn’t tolerate disrespect based on her ethnicity.

Fans React:
The clash between Shehzada and Chum has created a stir outside the Bigg Boss house as well. Fans of the show are divided, with most siding with Chum and criticizing Shehzada for his insensitive comment. On social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter, viewers expressed their disappointment over Shehzada’s actions.

One fan commented, “Shehzada wasn’t just making a joke; it was clearly a racist remark. Chum had every right to be offended.” Another viewer pointed out, “Shehzada didn’t just stop at being offensive—he also tried to shift the blame onto Chum by accusing her of overreacting. That’s classic victim-blaming.”, Hindustan Times reported.

Many fans praised Chum for standing her ground. “Considering how people from the Northeast are often treated, I completely understand Chum’s reaction. She did a great job of calling him out,” said another fan.

Others, however, believe Chum may have overreacted, feeling that Shehzada’s comment was intended as a light-hearted joke.

Chum Darang is an actor from Arunachal Pradesh who gained recognition through her role in the Bollywood film Badhaai Do, where she starred alongside Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao. Chum also appeared in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. Her entry into Bigg Boss 18 has generated buzz due to her vibrant personality and strong values.

Before entering the Bigg Boss house, Chum spoke to Times of India about her participation in the show, expressing excitement about the opportunity to showcase her home state of Arunachal Pradesh to a national audience. “I’m sure people will be curious to know where I’m from, and this is a chance for them to learn about my beautiful home state,” she shared.

In her interview, Chum made it clear that she wouldn’t tolerate any form of disrespect in the Bigg Boss house. “I won’t accept any kind of disrespect,” she said firmly. “I don’t disrespect others, so if it happens to me, the person will definitely get something bad from me.”

This no-nonsense attitude was on full display during her confrontation with Shehzada. Chum’s resilience in standing up for herself resonated with viewers, many of whom praised her for refusing to let the offensive comment slide.

Challenges in the Bigg Boss House
While Chum entered Bigg Boss with enthusiasm, she admitted that she was nervous about sharing her personal space with strangers and being judged by the public. “Yes, the idea of being watched and judged all the time concerns me, but not excessively because we all have our flaws,” she said. Chum also mentioned that she was particularly anxious about the challenges of doing household chores for 20 people, though her strict upbringing had prepared her for such tasks.

As Bigg Boss 18 progresses, the competition will no doubt intensify. Chum has already made a strong impression on viewers, not just for her candid nature but also for standing up against discrimination. Her assertive response to Shehzada’s comment has set a tone for the rest of her journey in the house—one of resilience, strength, and determination.

For now, Chum Darang has emerged as one of the season’s most talked-about contestants, and fans are eager to see how her journey unfolds.