Popular television actor and host Jay Bhanushali has issued a fierce public rebuke against contestants of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss 20, declaring that he will no longer allow his children to watch the program. The sharp reaction came late on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, shortly after an emotionally charged episode aired on Colors TV and JioHotstar, in which housemates repeatedly invoked Bhanushali and his estranged wife Mahhi Vij’s seven-year-old daughter, Tara, during an intense task. Although Bhanushali and Vij announced their separation earlier in January 2026, the actor has remained a vocal pillar of support for Mahhi’s journey inside the house—until housemates crossed what he described as an unacceptable personal boundary by targeting their young children.

Sharing a warm family photograph featuring Mahhi Vij alongside their biological daughter Tara and their two foster children, Rajveer and Khushi, Bhanushali posted a detailed, strongly worded note on Instagram. In his caption, the Mumbai-based actor explained that his children had been tuning in to cheer for their mother and were left confused and distressed by the harsh remarks directed at their family. "My kids are watching this and asking me questions. Requesting all, please don’t tag me or my kids in any of this negativity. This post is not coming as Jay Bhanushali, but as a father of my kids," he wrote, signaling that protecting his children's emotional well-being outweighed television entertainment.

Inside the Task Controversy: Remarks by Yung DSA, Kanika Mann, and Love Gill’s Mother

The flashpoint inside the Bigg Boss 20 house occurred during a high-pressure provocation and captaincy task in which contestants sought to break Mahhi Vij’s composure and make her shed tears. The tensions had escalated following a heated dispute between Mahhi Vij and fellow contestant Love Gill, sparked after housemate Uditi Singh informed Love that Mahhi had allegedly referred to her as a "homebreaker". During the subsequent task, however, several participants shifted away from game strategy to launch personal attacks centered on Mahhi’s motherhood and children.

In his Instagram statement, Jay Bhanushali specifically called out rapper Yung DSA, actress Kanika Mann, and remarks made by Love Gill’s mother. According to Bhanushali, Yung DSA suggested on national television that Mahhi’s children would grow up feeling ashamed of their mother’s actions inside the house, while Kanika Mann stated that she would never wish to meet Mahhi’s children. Additionally, Love Gill’s mother brought Tara into the conversation by questioning how Mahhi would feel if someone made comparable remarks about her seven-year-old daughter. Despite the relentless verbal targeting, Mahhi Vij maintained her composure and went on to win the task, though the episode left viewers and her family deeply shaken.

‘Tara Is a 7-Year-Old Baby, Not a Contestant’: Jay Slams Personal Attacks

Explaining why he broke his self-imposed silence on the show’s internal dynamics, Bhanushali noted that he had initially resolved never to critique individual contestants' strategies. However, watching his daughter's name weaponized repeatedly compelled him to speak out. "JUST FOR A TASK – Yung DSA talking about my children growing up and feeling ashamed of their mother’s actions, Kanika saying she would never want to meet Mahhi’s children, and Love Gill’s mother bringing my daughter into the conversation by questioning how she would feel if someone said something similar about her daughter. Tara is a 7-year-old baby. She is not a contestant of Bigg Boss. Getting a child to put someone down is absolutely nonsense," he stated.

Drawing a clear distinction between fair gameplay and personal harassment, Bhanushali emphasized that housemates are entirely within their rights to challenge Mahhi’s alliances, decisions, or behavior inside the house. "Honestly, why are our children being dragged into something they have absolutely no connection with? Bigg Boss is a game. Disagree with Mahhi, question her gameplay, and challenge her decisions, but bringing her children, motherhood, and personal life into it is crossing a boundary," he wrote. Expressing concern over lasting psychological impact, he added, "As a father, I don’t want my children growing up with a trauma that Tara’s name is used in every sentence to put Mahhi down. The game may be entertainment for everyone, but for us, this is personal. My children’s peace and innocence will always come first." He concluded his statement with a decisive sign-off: "Thank you. Goodbye, Bigg Boss 20."

Television Fraternity Rallies Behind Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij

Within hours of going live, Bhanushali’s post sparked widespread debate across social media platforms and drew strong backing from prominent figures in the Indian television industry. Former Bigg Boss winner Gauahar Khan, actor Jay Soni, and choreographer-actor Punit Pathak were among the celebrities who publicly endorsed Bhanushali’s stance, applauding him for prioritizing his children’s mental peace over reality television drama.

Punit Pathak commented on the post, writing, "Can’t agree more… Only love and respect to you and Mahhi Vij. She’s a very strong woman, and may the universe give her more strength." Simultaneously, Mahhi Vij’s official management team responded emotionally to Bhanushali’s gesture, stating, "This means more than words can express. Thank you for always putting our kids first." As fans across Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow continue to debate the ethical limits of reality television tasks, Jay Bhanushali’s firm stand has ignited a broader conversation about protecting innocent children from the crossfire of prime-time conflict