The grand finale of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 resulted in a significant win for Gilli, who took the title with a record-breaking vote count that reportedly exceeded 37 crore votes, one of the highest in the show's history. Host Kichcha Sudeep revealed that while the margin between the winner and the runner-up was small, the total voting numbers this season were unprecedented. The winner received a cash prize of ₹50 lakh along with several high-value prizes.
From the early weeks, Gilli emerged as a clear leader, gaining steady support on social media and strong audience backing as the finale approached.
Not new to reality television, Gilli entered the house with previous experience in televised formats, which showed in his confident gameplay. His quick wit, strong screen presence, and ability to lighten tense moments with humor helped him balance entertainment with strategy. He also built a strong emotional connection with viewers.
Inside the house, he stood out for his comic timing, spontaneous one-liners, and consistent performance in tasks. He quickly became one of the fastest contestants this season to reach one million followers on Instagram, highlighting his appeal beyond television.
Upon winning, Gilli said, “I am happy and overwhelmed by all the love. I am always the same person, nothing changes.”
Runner-up Rakshita Shetty impressed everyone despite this being her first reality show. Coming from coastal Karnataka, she made an immediate impact with her outspoken nature, energetic participation, and strong presence in tasks. Her dance during morning songs and competitive spirit quickly made her one of the most visible contestants of the season.
Rakshita shared a good rapport with Gilli inside the house, which became a hot topic in the final weeks. Speculation about a possible crush arose after she remarked that she wanted a boyfriend like Gilli. She later clarified that while she admired some of his qualities, she did not see him as a romantic partner, emphasizing that their bond was based on friendship and mutual respect.
After the finale, Rakshitha said, “Thank you so much. I don’t have big words, but thank you so much,” and left with a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
The top finalists included Ashwini Gowda, Rakshita Shetty, Mutant Raghu, Kavya Shaiva, Dhanush, and Gilli. Ashwini emerged as the second runner-up after a season filled with strong opinions and confrontations, although the final stretch largely focused on the competition between Gilli and Rakshitha, keeping the voting competitive until the end.
In the end, Gilli’s all-around entertainer image, combining humor, emotional moments, task performance, and strong audience connection, secured the title, making Bigg Boss Kannada 12 a big milestone in his reality-show journey.