Veteran Pakistani comedian Shakeel Siddiqui has revealed that he turned down a major offer to participate in India’s hit reality show Bigg Boss, despite being promised big benefits and a non-exit, two-month guaranteed stay.

In a candid conversation on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Siddiqui shared that showrunners approached him with an attractive proposal, offering not just a hefty paycheck but also full creative freedom within the house. “Yes… a very big offer. I could do anything and eat anything there,” he admitted. But even with all the perks, Siddiqui declined.

Explaining his decision, he said, “I told them, being the only Pakistani among all Indians would spark chaos and they admitted that’s exactly what they wanted. But I still said no.”

Known for his strong moral stance, Shakeel also touched on the state of the entertainment industry in Pakistan, criticizing “unnecessary vulgarity” in dance performances and expressing his shock over what is passed off as “item numbers” in Pakistani films. Drawing comparisons, he remarked, “Even a boy can look good while dancing like Hrithik Roshan in India. Wearing short clothes is not a requirement.”

Shakeel further disclosed that he was approached multiple times for Pakistan’s reality show Tamasha as well but rejected it too, citing concerns over the quality of participants. “If I ever join, I want other contestants to be senior artists with a proper body of work — not TikTokers,” he asserted.

Addressing criticism over his work in India, Siddiqui reminded audiences that several renowned Pakistani comedians, including Umar Sharif, Babu Baral, and Rauf Lala, also performed there. “I didn’t go to just any show, I worked with celebrities on Sony TV’s Comedy Circus, and also with Kapil Sharma,” he said, emphasizing the prestige of his projects.

 In a moment of reflection, the seasoned comedian noted, “I’ve worked in this industry for 35 years… but no one remembers that.”

It should be mentioned here that Pakistani actress Veena Malik made headlines when she participated in the fourth season of India’s popular reality show Bigg Boss in 2010. Known for her bold personality and controversial statements, Veena quickly became one of the most talked-about contestants of the season. Her on-screen chemistry with Indian actor Ashmit Patel drew significant media attention in both India and Pakistan.