Ashutosh Kaushik, the 'dhaba' owner from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was named winner of Bigg Boss Season two on Saturday at a star-studded finale. He takes home prize money of Rs 1 crore.
The big surprise at the finale was Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who entered the house moments before the winner was announced. He was also asked by the host, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, to name the winner to an audience that comprised most of the original housemates and relatives of the finalists.
Ashutosh beat back a strong challenge from Bhojpuri filmmaker Raja Choudhary and model Zulfi Sayeed. Zulfi was the first to be eliminated and Raja was the runner-up.
Ashutosh credited his victory to "Rahul Bhaiyya (Rahul Mahajan) and the voting public." Asked what he would do with the prize money, he said, "I don't know yet. The win yet has to sink in. I will decide after a few days. But I will buy a house in Mumbai, Saar ke upar chaat chaiye."
After a controversial final week, which began with the four finalists (Rahul, the fourth finalist later took a voluntary exit) in a bizarre breakout bid to get dinner. The quartet were accosted by security guards and returned to the house in minutes.
While the other three finalists Ashutosh, Zulfi and Raja were apologetic about the breakout, Rahul refused to say sorry and opted for a voluntary exit.
Rahul's exit from the house was marked by emotional scenes in which the other three finalists were moved to tears.
To inject some life into proceedings, Ravi Kissen, the Bhojpuri superstar and last year's Bigg Boss contestant, entered the house for a day.
Rahul Mahajan won the Bada Dilwala award, an Aveo Yuva car. Ravi Kissen and Bollywood item girl Rakhi Sawant, another Bigg Boss season one participant, performed at the finale.
Meanwhile, a security guard was injured as a group tried to gatecrash the venue. Trouble started apparently when the group was not allowed entry into the sets, leading to a clash with the security personnel.
A spokesperson of the Colors channel, which is airing the show, declined to give details of the incident.
