After over a 100 days of hard work and acing multiple tasks, Gaurav Khanna has lifted the Bigg Boss season 19 trophy as he was crowned the title winner during the finale episode of the long-running reality show hosted by Salman Khan.
The actor, known for his role in the hit TV show Anupamaa, took home a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh, along with the prestigious Bigg Boss trophy. Farrhana Bhatt, who was among the top two contestants this season, became the first runner-up.
Singer Amaal Mallik was the first among the top five contestants to be eliminated from the show. During the finale, he performed his special composition 'Yaadon Ka Ghar', a melodious song, that enthralled audiences. Following him, Tanya Mittal, one of this season’s most talked-about participants, also exited the competition before the finale. During the voting process, many social media users had reported technical difficulties including the JioHotstar site crashing which was rectified later.
Pranit More was then voted out next, finishing as the second runner-up of Bigg Boss Season 19. His exit left Gaurav and Farrhana as the last two contenders standing.
During the event, Salman remembered the late legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24. Noting that he breathed his last on his father's birthday, he expressed his sadness for his family's major loss. "He also celebrates his birthday with my mother. God bless you, Dharamji. If I am feeling like, what would Sunny, Bobby aur unka pariwar be feeling," he said, adding, "Two funerals that were best conducted ever. One was Sooraj Barjatya's mother and the second was Dharamji's. How well they conducted the prayer meet. So much dignity. Ek decorum hona chahiye, celeration hona chahiye. Every ceremony, every funeral should be conducted in such a dignified manner."
Bigg Boss 19 began with 16 contestants on 24 August, and two more joined as wild card entrants along the way.
The grand event also saw Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday making an appearance on the stage to promote their upcoming romantic film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. Actor and host Sunny Leone, along with Karan Kundra also came to promote Splitsvilla 16.