'It felt great to win Bigg Boss'

Shweta Tiwari beat WWE wrestler The Great Khali to become the first female winner on Bigg Boss 4. She reveals why it was a surprise and more about her stay in the house.

Did you expect to win?

Honestly, I expected Khali and Ashmit Patel to be the two finalists. But when Ashmit went out of the house, I really felt that Khaliji would win, as he is an international celebrity and has huge fan following.

Salman Khan (the host) also created a big suspense. When he actually raised my hands, I just couldn't believe that I had won. It was only after few minutes when Salmanji said I had won that I realised that I have actually won.

I heard that this was only the second time that a female won any season of Bigg Boss (Big Brother internationally) all over the world. The first was Shilpa Shetty on Big Brother. It felt great to win.

So, you never ever felt that you could win?

No. Each week I used to count my days. Every nomination made me count one more week. I was under the impression that since no woman had won the Bigg Boss the title, there was no chance for me either.

What was your strategy in the house?

The strategy was simple. I wanted to keep quiet no matter what happened around me. Dolly had openly attacked my character. Even then I survived the anger. Initially, I used to think that the contestants who knew how to abuse others would win the show. But when I was getting saved every time, I really felt that people loved me. This gave me the strength to handle the tension inside the house (smiles).

How did you all manage to be well groomed throughout the stay?

All of us looked good only because of waxing strips.

Who is the one person from the Bigg Boss house you would not like to stay in touch with?

I am very diplomatic. I don't want to comment.

Dolly Bindra said she would not miss you.

Superb! I love it. If I bump into her anywhere, I will greet her with a smile. I don't have her number and don't wish to.

Any housemates you wish to be in contact with?

Seemaji (Parihar), Samir (Soni) and Manoj Tiwari.

Manoj and you were good friends, but it soured few days before he was evicted.

We have worked together in Bhojpuri films, so we gelled well in the house. One day someone in the house told me that Manojji had abused me. I started to find out what was the reason, and then got to know that he felt that I had nominated him. That made me very sad. But I know he must have regretted after he came to know that I had not nominated him and today he told me that he regrets his action completely.

What do you have to say about Ashmit and Veena Malik's behaviour in the house?

I don't care! He is neither my boyfriend nor my husband. Why would I care about what he does?

You were constantly taking about your daughter Palak in the house with Samir Soni.

Yes, I missed my daughter terribly for a month. After that I got used to it. But there is not a single moment that I have not remembered her. Whatever I am today is because of my daughter. I started my career with small character roles. But couple of months after she was born, I got a call from Balaji (Telefilms, a production house) and I became Prerna of Kasautii Zindagii Kay. She brought me luck.

Did being Prerna help you win?

If the reason behind my triumph was the character of Prerna, I take it as a compliment. I am very happy about it. It only means that people still remember me as Prerna and I thank (Balaji head honcho) Ekta Kapoor for making me what I am today.

What will you do with the prize money?

I will get enough work to run my house and take care of my daughter. But this money will keep me secure for another couple of years. I want to invest the money in a place that will help me in taking care of my daughter's future because I am in a very unpredictable profession.

If not you, who would you have like to see as a winner.

Seemaji, because she really needed the money.

What next?

I have not planned anything yet.