Avid followers of Bigg Boss Tamil, the reality TV show on Vijay TV which has managed to capture the interest of audiences across the board, are on tenterhooks.
Their favourite contestant Oviya, an actor who entered the house without much star value, is rumoured to have left the show. Despite the presence of contestants like Namitha and Ganesh Venkatraman, who enjoy a fair amount of popularity with the public, it was Oviya who became the audience's beloved as the show played out.
While some strongly believe that the show is scripted and that the contestants are simply playing roles which were assigned to them, many have come to closely identify with the struggles of the people in the house, especially Oviya.
Singer Chinmayi Sripada, for instance, put up a Facebook post on how she could relate to what Oviya was going through since she has been through comparable experiences earlier. She concluded the post with the following words:
"Bigg Boss is a mirror to show us who we are. We may have cried and become angry to see the injustice meted out to Oviya by the various characters- including the ones that played along and stayed silent. But who are YOU In real life? Do you - the one who feels for Oviya - always do the right thing? Prevent bullying? Or do you do what is convenient for you?
And I am glad Oviya has become a role model for many. That she has an army. If our society, especially the youngsters become half as honest as Oviya was in Bigg Boss, who knows, even our political scene will be different. As they say - politicians are people's representatives. Makkal evvazhiyo arasan avvazhi."
Oviya, who is admired for her attitude, frankness, and honesty by the audience, has been on the edge for the last week. Even though she is unimaginably popular with the audience - with a dedicated Oviya Army behind her - she is almost unanimously the least liked contestant by her housemates. They've consistently complained that she does not do enough work in the house and that she's too "arrogant" in her behaviour with the "seniors."
Though Oviya appeared to be least bothered by the criticism, it seems to have got under her skin at last. From proclaiming her love to Arav, another contestant, despite him pushing her away, to behaving in a morbid fashion (she jumped into the swimming pool on Friday's episode and attempted to hold her breath), Oviya seems to be under emotional distress.
She has also screamed and even thrown threats at the housemates, especially Raiza, Julie, and Arav.
The insensitively designed challenge of a "mental hospital" has only added to the audience's disgruntlement with the show.
Fans on social media have gone berserk, trying to find out if her distress is real or if it is a task that has been assigned to her. Popular Vijay TV anchor Priyanka tweeted: "Itss a Taaaskk. Take it light makkale", giving many hope that Oviya will stay in the house, after all.
Itss a Taaaskk.
— Priyanka Deshpande (@Priyanka2804) August 4, 2017
Take it light makkale.
Kings of comedy juniors with #ByeBharani anna this Sat and sun 7.30pm. https://t.co/Gm2xCCoFpm
However, C Rajasekharan, a consultant Legal Advisor for the show, told TNM that "there are issues and Oviya is getting the attention she deserves."
There was also a photograph of Oviya in a red car supposedly leaving the show, doing the rounds on social media. Proving the authenticity of the photograph has become yet another fan obsession.
The picture released showing #oviya in car is OLD. If it's taken in day today, why it's not released today day time???#BiggBossTamil
— Ramkisan (@ramkisandhoni) August 4, 2017
This is not Kerala picture looks At car mirror background admk font colour cut out there so i think true oviya out from biggboss
— Bala Rmd 2.0 (@ImBalaRmd) August 4, 2017
#Oviya has walked out of Bigboss house... Her recent pic #BiggBossTamil #NoOviyaNoBiggboss pic.twitter.com/gXyA1dgLHk
— Sri Ram (@Sriramkumar_13) August 4, 2017
Veteran actor Sripriya who has been posting in favour of Oviya for a while now, tweeted: "So upset, if she is disturbed it's better she leaves & relaxes, may b she will feel better when she gets to know how many supported her."
So upset,ifshe is disturbed it's better she leaves &relaxes,may b she will feel better when she gets to know how many supported her.tc dear
— sripriya (@sripriya) August 4, 2017
Many on social media have also declared that if Oviya leaves the show, they'd bid goodbye to Bigg Boss. The hashtag #NoOviyaNoBiggBoss was even trending on Twitter at one point.
#nooviyanobigboss is now trending in Indiahttps://t.co/xZPgBn64JU pic.twitter.com/J0Xs5AEQOU
— Trendsmap India (@TrendsmapIndia) August 4, 2017
Ok so may be tomorrow is d last day I'm gonna watch dis show period #BiggBossTamil #NoOviyaNoBiggboss. How can u smile AH #Aarav kadupakthu
— MKay (@RN_knock) August 4, 2017
#BiggBossTamil #NoOviyaNoBiggboss
— DieHard Oviya Army (@oviya_fanss) August 4, 2017
Feeling Broken
RT if u feel the same pic.twitter.com/23gvHZAY2J
People have also questioned why contestants like Shakti and Gayathri who were verbally abusive to Oviya have been let off lightly by the host, Kamal Haasan.
News leaked.Oviya is out of Bigg boss. Gay3 & Shakti families are responsible for this it seems. #ihateBBT #OviyaArmy #OviyaForEver ,
— Joe Anderson (@joeanderson710) August 3, 2017
Yes Kamal favours Gayathri, Shakthi and Julie.
— Lovely Pinky (@lacypinky) July 30, 2017
Bigg Boss must replace someone else as coordinator who is fair and transparent.
Mr. Shakti, if u hav guts, say this to #Oviya directly. #BiggBossTamil #BigBossTamil #OviyaArmy @vijaytelevision @Vivo_India pic.twitter.com/HucYtSSJAA
— Shiva (@shankishiva) August 3, 2017
I hope someone ban that stupid show sure they gonna make bully gay3 or women beater shakti as winner stupid show stupid people
— Oviya Fan/Army (@Oviyafan1) August 5, 2017
Quick poll. You've seen the first 5 mins of today's episode by now Do you guys still think editors are trying to save G3? #BiggBossTamil
— Bigg Boss Insider (@BBTWhistleBlowr) August 1, 2017
A Twitter handle which claims to be a "whistleblower" on the show, had previously tweeted that even if Oviya walks out, she will be brought back by the channel.
If Oviya's departure is voluntary the Channnel will want her back rested and refreshed after a break #BiggBossTamil
— Bigg Boss Insider (@BBTWhistleBlowr) July 29, 2017