'Took up Bigg Boss as I wanted money for dad's treatment'

Model Karishma Kotak, a participant in the TV reality show Bigg Boss, had to leave the Bigg Boss house last week when her ailing father passed away. 

Kotak works in London and India and is best known as the Kingfisher Girl for modelling for the Kingfisher calendar. She has acted in some South films and has also appeared in a number of commercials

How are you coping with the tragedy?

I am okay. I am trying to come out of it with the support of family, relatives and friends.  I am looking at the positive side of things and moving on.

You were aware of your father's health condition so why enter the show which required you to be locked inside the house?

My father has been unwell for the last six months and I have been taking care of him. My family is in London and going back and forth as required.

My dad didn't want me to feel sad and cry all the time and convinced me to accept the offer. He wanted his daughter to be in better shape, get noticed and get good work.

 To be honest, I also wanted more money for my father's treatment. So I thought why not? My entire family supported me.

Do you have any regrets that you were not beside your dad when he died?

No.  My father's wish was to see his daughter every day on TV. I fulfilled his wish and he died with a smile on his face.He had gone through a lot in the last few months. I am sad that he is not there but I am happy that he is no longer in that pain.

He left a small video for me saying how much he loved me and was proud of me.

So how was your experience in the Bigg Boss house?

It was a unique experience living with different people and reacting in a given situation.

It's like you are in a coma; the only source of information is host Salman Khan. After a point your conversation also becomes saturated because you have limited information.

I gelled with most of them but I was close to Sidhuji (ex-cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu). Before I went on the show I thought I was impatient and talkative but I was completely opposite in the house.

I tried to be happy because I didn't want my father to feel sad outside. I knew Niketan from my modelling days, and had dated him for a month. We were not in a relationship.

Then we moved on, it was nice to see him after a long time.

Your exit from the house was painful. Will you go back to the house if given a chance?

There was much anxiety the day my father passed away. I was hoping I would get evicted so I could spend some more time with my father.

I haven't thought about going back to the house. So at the moment I don't have an answer.

Kashif Qureshi was smitten by you...

Ya. I am sure he is happy wherever he is. He would use all those cheesy lines like fresh fruit...etc...

What about the host Salman Khan?

He makes you laugh so much; he's the best and honest host. You cannot have a bigger and better host than him.

What next?

I have been hosting shows on TV before Bigg Boss. I have got more offers on TV and also I am doing a couple of south films.

When I am in the right frame of mind, once the condolence meet is over, when my mind is sorted out I will meet people who have offered me work.

Are you going to be in touch with all the housemates?

I really don't know, but I will fondly remember each member of the show. I am not in touch with the Kingfisher calendar people I worked with but I still remember each one of them.

I will meet all the housemates during the finale but I definitely want to be in touch with Sidhuji. He is a wonderful man, always there to advise and support me.

He was like my father and a mentor. He would call me an angel.