Success often has its costs, and for Bigg Boss Kannada 12 winner Gilli Nata, that cost has been a widening public rift with his core fan base. A diehard fan made headlines during the show for tattooing Gilli’s portrait on his arm, and now he's facing intense accusations that the star has "forgotten his roots," having won the ₹50 lakh prize as well as the trophy.
The Broken Promise
While Gilli Nata was behind the doors of Bigg Boss house he was flashed a video of a fan named Kumar (also called in some reports Shashi Kumar) inking Gilli's face to his forearm. Gilli, visibly emotional, had once vowed on camera: “Once I am out, I will definitely meet him and thank him personally.” But all that meeting weeks after the grand finale remains unmet. The fan says he is feeling betrayed and recently interviewed multiple media outlets, saying he was in deep pain and resented them.
“He Only Meets the Rich”
Gilli Nata was made not accessible to ordinary people, the infuriated fan alleged. “He said he would meet me, but days have rolled by now and a no response. We went to a temple to get Prasada for him and had even called his brother to deliver it, but we didn’t even see him,” the fan said, complaining. He added a sharp accusation: “It seems Gilli doesn’t have time for anyone except for the rich and celebs now. He needed the common fans when he needed 50 crore votes to win. Now that he has the trophy, he has no time for us.”
Social Media Divided
The controversy is sparked by a heated debate online. The video of the fan’s interview goes viral and divides opinion in society:
The Supporters: Some netizens have berated the fan, saying his hopes were impossible. “Did Gilli order you to get a tattoo? Do not expect actors to be on your beck and call just because you went a little over the limit,” one user remarked. Others noted the demanding post-victory schedule for Gilli.
The Critics: It’s also claimed that maintaining the bottom-up feel is vital for a “Common Man” winner like Gilli. “Those are the ones who made him a star, the fans. He should have at least spared five minutes for someone who literally wears his face on his skin,” argued another.
What’s Next for Gilli Nata?
Gilli Nata who is aiming for directorial debut and movie projects such as The Devil is no longer responding to the criticism. Whether it's all a scheduling snafu or something like "star fever" is another question to ponder, but it’s a cautionary example in relation to “the fact reality TV stars have this thing called super-fan” love that it can be highly volatile.
