- Big Boss OTT features a trio of influencers this year
- But the show’s producers were accused of exposing bigamy to millions of people.
- One woman involved has since revealed she is miserable in the relationship.
India’s version of Big Brother has sparked outrage after including a male contestant and his two wives in the cast, with producers accused of promoting bigamy among millions of people.
Influencer Armaan Malik, 36, and his two wives, Payal and Kritika, have been roped into Bigg Boss OTT, a reality show that attracted 8.8 million viewers last week.
The couple painted a harmonious portrait of married life together, even though the rocky relationship began after Armaan began an affair with Kritika seven years after marrying his “best friend” Payal in 2011.
Payal said, ‘I didn’t realise they would become so close but I totally accepted Kritika and we absolutely love each other and live together as a happy family.’
But after Payal was kicked out on Sunday, leaving her husband and wife alone in the house, she revealed that she has been miserable since they all started living together.
Influencer Armaan Malik, 36 (pictured, centre right) and his two wives Payal (pictured, centre left) and Kritika (pictured, right) have been roped into Bigg Boss OTT.
The rocky relationship began after Armaan began romancing Kritika seven years after marrying his “best friend” Payal in 2011.
Payal said, ‘I didn’t realise they would become so close but I totally accepted Kritika and we absolutely love each other and live together as a happy family.’
She revealed in an interview with Indian media that she was “on the verge of suicide” after learning of her husband’s infidelity and separated from him for a year.
“There was a time when we didn’t want to see each other’s faces,” he added.
It also undermined the image of bigamy that she and her partners projected to the world.
“We have never promoted him in our vlogs or interviews. I don’t think any man in India should do that, whatever mistake Armaan has made. We have managed to maintain him, but I don’t think anyone else can.”
Although bigamy is not permitted by law in India, Muslim men are allowed to marry multiple women under Islamic personal law.
But Payal revealed that she has been miserable ever since they all started living together.
She revealed in an interview with Indian media that she was “on the verge of suicide” after learning of her husband’s infidelity.
But Malik and his wives are Hindus, who are not allowed to marry multiple partners under religious laws.
Yet it is openly practised in India, according to Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde, who told the Times: “A man can be prosecuted, but only if the first wife presses charges. Not otherwise. A third party cannot be prosecuted.”
But the widespread practice of bigamy does not make it any less controversial, with many commentators criticising the producers of Bigg Boss OTT for including the trio.
Commentator and author Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr said, ‘The producers of these reality shows always look for something sensational or controversial and if there is nothing there, they create it, just to keep their massive audience alive.’
