Bigg Boss 8 Telugu Winner Nikhil: Gautham Fans Protest Nikhil’s Win at Annapurna Studios

The grand finale of Bigg Boss 8 Telugu is done and dusted! After months of intense drama, challenges, and excitement, the winner of the season is finally revealed. Season 8, which began on September 1, 2024, saw 22 contestants battling it out for the title. While the usual cash prize for the winner is Rs. 50 lakhs, this season offered a higher amount – Rs. 55 lakhs. Rumours also circulated that a Maruti Suzuki car would be part of the prize, though details were yet to be confirmed.

Top 5 Finalists of Bigg Boss 8 Telugu:

In the finale, the top 5 contestants were Gautham, Nikhil, Prerna, Nabeel, and Avinash, all of whom had a strong fan base. However, it quickly became clear that the competition was really between Nikhil and Gautham, with both emerging as the strongest contenders.

After a nail-biting suspense, Nikhil and Gautham were revealed as the top 2 finalists. Host Nagarjuna brought them on stage for the grand announcement. In a moment of excitement, Nikhil was declared the winner. The prestigious winner's trophy was presented to him by special guest Ram Charan.

Nikhil's Prize:

In addition to the winner's trophy, Nikhil was awarded the grand cash prize of Rs. 55 lakhs, along with an additional remuneration.

Nikhil's Journey to Victory:

From the start, Nikhil played the game with dedication and sincerity. His strategic approach, which often involved setting aside personal relationships during tasks, won the hearts of the audience. His strong, consistent performances made him a favourite, and he stayed safe from elimination throughout the season, securing the most votes during nominations. This solid game plan ultimately led him to victory.

Gautam's Fans Hold a Protest:

Fans of Gautham, the runner-up in Bigg Boss 8 Telugu, have expressed their anger after Nikhil Maliyakkal, a contestant from Kannada, was declared the winner at the grand finale held on Sunday. Host Nagarjuna raised Nikhil's hand to announce his victory, while global star Ram Charan presented him with the winner's trophy.

However, this announcement led to a strong backlash from Gautham's supporters. Thousands of them gathered at Annapurna Studio, demanding that Gautham, a solo player, should have won instead. They were upset that Nikhil, who they believed played a group game and manipulated emotions, was declared the winner over Gautham, who had competed independently. The fans also voiced their dissatisfaction with the fact that a Kannada contestant had won a Telugu show, questioning whether Bigg Boss Telugu should include contestants from other languages.

Tensions escalated, and the situation nearly became chaotic, resembling last season's disturbances caused by Pallavi Prashanth's fans. In response, the police had already set up heavy security at Annapurna Studio, where the finale was held. On Sunday night, authorities had to disperse the crowd, even resorting to lathi charges to control the protesters.

Many Gautham supporters criticised the Star Maa channel and host Nagarjuna, claiming that Nikhil's win was not due to genuine audience votes but rather because of his involvement in Star Maa serials. While some fans believe that Nikhil's victory was fair, others feel that a contestant from another state should not have been crowned in a Telugu show, arguing that the win was a form of injustice to Telugu audiences.

The audience is now celebrating Nikhil's win, and his journey in Bigg Boss 8 will be remembered as one of the most captivating seasons of the show.