Actress Gauahar Khan, who won the popular reality show "Bigg Boss - Saath 7" Saturday, says she will not lie about her relationship with her co-contestant and actor Kushal Tandon.
"My relationship with Kushal is what it is. I am not going to camouflage it or lie about it outside the 'Bigg Boss' house," Gauahar told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.
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"We came on the show, we became friends and we fell in love, and I don't have to lie about it at all," added the actress who came across as a headstrong girl in the show and even walked out when she felt that Kushal's sudden elimination was unfair, only to return later.
The actress, who has been part of movies like "Game" and "Ishaqzaade", spent 103 days in the "Bigg Boss" house and describes her journey as a "roller-coaster ride".
"My journey in the 'Bigg Boss' house has been dangerous. It has actually been a roller-coaster ride.
"I gave more than 100 percent in the past 15 weeks and I am really proud of it. I did whatever I felt is right and stood by it," she said.
One thing that the 29-year-old did not like during her stay was when the other contestants became judgmental about her.
"The toughest part for me was being judged - people judging me for what I do, calling me fair and unfair. They even judged my relationship with Kushal and said that it was for the cameras," she said.
"Overcoming and struggling through that was a challenge for me. I was what I am," Gauahar added.
"Bigg Boss - Saath 7" was not Gauahar's first stint on a reality TV. She had earlier participated in the third season of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" and "Khan Sisters". But after winning the reality show, she says she is on "seventh heaven".
"It's a dream come true. I feel lucky, honoured and happy to won the show. The 15 weeks of hard work paid off and I feel on the seventh heaven right now," she said.
What kept you going throughout the show?
"First of all it was because of Allah, then I will credit the way my family has brought me up and then my spirit to keep going.
"It was also because of Kushal that I was able to survive for so long. He gave me strength when I needed it. I really appreciate what he did for me during the show," Gauahar said.