Mumbai: Actor Vivian Dsena has extended his support to Mahhi Vij and her estranged husband, Jay Bhanushali, after their seven-year-old daughter Tara was dragged into personal disputes on Bigg Boss 20. Recalling a similar experience from his own time on the reality show, Vivian said children should never become targets in disagreements between adults.
Vivian, who participated in Bigg Boss 18, said he understood how deeply such remarks could affect parents. He recalled that his daughter’s name had also been brought into a discussion during his stint on the show.
His comments came after Jay criticised contestants for making personal remarks about his children while targeting Mahhi, who is currently competing in the latest season.
In a social media post, Vivian explained that he generally avoided commenting on developments related to Bigg Boss, both before and after participating in the programme. However, the controversy involving Tara compelled him to speak out.
“Throughout my journey with Bigg Boss, both before and after being a part of the show, I’ve consciously refrained from commenting on its happenings. But this particular incident has genuinely compelled me to break that silence (sic),” he wrote.
Vivian recalls his own experience on Bigg Boss
Vivian said his reaction was influenced by what he had experienced during his participation in Bigg Boss 18. He recalled that his daughter’s name had been mentioned during a particular segment, giving him an understanding of the emotional impact such incidents could have on parents.
“Having experienced something similar when my daughter’s name was brought into the show during a particular segment, I know how deeply something like this can affect a parent,” he wrote.
He added that contestants were free to question one another’s gameplay, disagree with decisions and express differences of opinion. However, he said involving children in those disagreements was unacceptable.
“You can question someone’s game, disagree with their decisions or have differences of opinion, but never bring an innocent child into an adult’s battles,” Vivian said.
He also directly addressed Mahhi and Jay, asking them to remain strong amid the controversy.
“Tara is just seven years old and has absolutely nothing to do with this game. @MahhiVij_, stay strong. Your strength speaks for itself. Wishing you and @imjaybhanushali nothing but positivity and strength. Play the game, fight your battles, but leave the children out of it. Some boundaries should never be crossed, inside or outside the Bigg Boss house,” he wrote.
Vivian’s statement highlighted the distinction between disagreements over contestants’ behaviour inside the house and comments involving their families, particularly children who are not part of the competition.
Jay Bhanushali objects to remarks about his children
The controversy gained wider attention after Jay Bhanushali reacted to remarks made during a task on Bigg Boss 20.
The task required contestants to provoke their fellow housemates and make them display different emotions. However, the exchanges took a personal turn when some participants referred to Mahhi’s children while making remarks against her.
Jay, who had earlier maintained that he would avoid commenting on individual contestants or their gameplay, expressed his disappointment in an Instagram post.
He said he had decided that his children would no longer be allowed to watch the reality show after witnessing the comments.
“After witnessing everything on Bigg Boss, I have made one decision as a father: I will not let my children watch Bigg Boss anymore. I had decided that I will never speak about anyone’s gameplay or give my opinion about any particular contestant and support Mahhi wherever I am needed,” he wrote.
Jay specifically objected to remarks attributed to Yung DSA, Kanika Mann and Love Gill’s mother.
According to Jay, Yung DSA suggested that his children would grow up feeling ashamed of their mother’s actions. He also criticised Kanika for reportedly saying that she would never want to meet Mahhi’s children.
Jay further objected to Love Gill’s mother bringing Tara into the discussion while questioning how she would feel if someone made similar remarks about her own daughter.
“Just for a task, Yung DSA is talking about my children growing up and feeling ashamed of their mother’s actions, Kanika is saying she would never want to meet Mahhi’s children, and Love Gill’s mother is bringing my daughter into the conversation by questioning how she would feel if someone said something similar about her daughter,” Jay wrote.
He emphasised that Tara was only seven years old and had no involvement in the reality show.
“Tara is a seven-year-old baby. She is not a contestant on Bigg Boss. Bringing a child into it to put someone down is absolutely nonsensical,” he added.
Jay says he will not allow children to watch the show
Jay said contestants could criticise Mahhi’s gameplay, question her decisions and disagree with her actions inside the house. However, he argued that involving her children, motherhood and personal life crossed a line.
He also expressed concern about the emotional impact of repeatedly hearing their daughter’s name used in arguments against Mahhi.
According to Jay, his children were watching developments on the show and asking him questions. He did not want them to grow up experiencing distress because of comments made during a reality television competition.
He concluded his post with the words, “Goodbye, Bigg Boss 20.”
Jay also requested social media users not to tag him or his children in negative posts related to the controversy. He clarified that his comments were being made as a father rather than as a public figure or former television personality.
Mahhi’s team responded to his post, thanking him for standing up for their children.
“This means more than words can express. Thank you for always putting our kids first. — Team Mahhi Vij,” the response read.
How the dispute between Mahhi and Love Gill began
The controversy involving Tara followed an escalating disagreement between Mahhi and Love Gill inside the Bigg Boss 20 house.
Their argument reportedly began during a nomination task after Love confronted Mahhi over an alleged reference to her as a “home breaker”.
Mahhi explained that the phrase had come up during a conversation with ScoutOP after Love had called her “ping pong”. She maintained that she had only asked ScoutOP how Love would react if she used that particular term for her.
Mahhi also clarified that her comment was not connected to Kashvi or any matter outside the reality show.
The disagreement subsequently became more personal when Love brought up Mahhi’s separation from Jay.
In a promotional clip from the programme, an emotional Mahhi was seen objecting to the reference to her estranged husband.
“Never bring my husband into this,” she told Love.
As Love attempted to explain her position to other contestants, Mahhi became increasingly upset and eventually walked out of the room in tears. Amrapali Dubey and Yung DSA were also seen questioning Mahhi over her use of the “home breaker” remark.
The exchange added to tensions inside the house and eventually brought Mahhi’s family into the wider controversy.
Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali’s family
Mahhi and Jay announced their separation in January 2026, bringing an end to their 14-year marriage. The two have three children: their biological daughter Tara and foster children Khushi and Rajveer.
Their separation has continued to attract public attention, particularly as Mahhi discusses aspects of her personal life during her participation in Bigg Boss 20.
Jay has maintained that he wants to support Mahhi wherever necessary, while also protecting their children from the public exchanges surrounding the show.
Mahhi is currently competing on Bigg Boss 20, which streams on JioHotstar and airs on Colors TV.
The latest controversy has once again raised questions about how far contestants should go during confrontations on reality television. While arguments and personal disagreements are part of the format, Vivian’s intervention and Jay’s response have brought attention to the need to keep children away from disputes they have no role in.