Mahhi Vij has begun her journey as a contestant on Bigg Boss 20, and her entry into the reality show has received attention from viewers as well as members of the television industry. Among those supporting her is Jay Bhanushali, her former husband, who shared an encouraging message for Mahhi as she entered the Bigg Boss house.
Jay referred to Mahhi as Don in his message and encouraged her to perform well during her time on the show. His message has attracted attention because it comes after the couple publicly announced their separation earlier this year. Their supportive interaction has also highlighted the way they have chosen to maintain a cordial family relationship despite ending their marriage.
Mahhi entered Bigg Boss 20 during the show's premiere on September 6, 2026. The latest season of the popular reality television programme is hosted by Salman Khan and features contestants from television, cinema, sports and social media. Mahhi is among the established television personalities participating in the new season.
Before entering the Bigg Boss house, Mahhi spoke about her decision to participate in the show and explained that she did not want to enter with an elaborate strategy. She said she wanted to go with the flow and focus on the experience while aiming to win the trophy.
Mahhi has also spoken about the emotional side of joining the programme, particularly because it meant staying away from her daughter Tara during the competition. In an interview with India Today, she discussed her decision to participate and said she had received offers for the show several times before finally agreeing to join this season.
Her relationship with Jay has been a subject of public interest since the couple announced their separation. The two were married for 14 years before announcing their decision to part ways in January 2026. In their joint statement, they said they would continue to be present for their children despite the separation.
The couple have three children in their family, including their biological daughter Tara and their foster children Khushi and Rajveer. Their decision to maintain a supportive environment for their children has been highlighted in several interviews following their separation.
Mahhi has previously spoken positively about her equation with Jay after their separation. In an interview with the Times of India, she described him as her best friend and said that they continued to remain connected as a family. She also indicated that there was no bitterness between the people involved and that they continued to support one another.
That background has added significance to Jay's latest message for Mahhi. Rather than focusing on their personal circumstances, the message highlighted his support for her new professional journey. His use of the word Don was presented in an affectionate and encouraging manner as Mahhi began her Bigg Boss experience.
Mahhi's participation in Bigg Boss 20 also represents a new phase in her television career. She has been associated with several popular Hindi television shows, including Laagi Tujhse Lagan and Balika Vadhu. She returned to acting in 2025 after an extended break and was recently associated with the television series Seher Hone Ko Hai.
Her entry into Bigg Boss comes at a time when her personal and professional life has attracted considerable public attention. However, Mahhi has indicated that she does not intend to discuss her separation from Jay extensively inside the Bigg Boss house. In her recent interview, she made it clear that the matter is personal and that she does not want to make it a central topic of her participation.
Instead, Mahhi has said that she wants to focus on the competition. Bigg Boss contestants live together under continuous observation while participating in tasks and facing nominations and eliminations. Their interactions, personalities and approach to conflicts often become major parts of the show's narrative.
Mahhi's early appearance has already generated discussion among viewers. Reports from the first episodes and promotional material have highlighted her strong personality and direct approach inside the house. Her behaviour has prompted reactions from other contestants and viewers, making her one of the contestants attracting early attention this season.
Jay's support therefore adds another dimension to Mahhi's Bigg Boss journey. While their marriage has ended, their public interactions suggest that they continue to maintain a connection centred on their family and children. His message also demonstrates that their professional and personal circumstances have not prevented him from encouraging her as she takes on a new challenge.
For Mahhi, the immediate focus will be on establishing herself within the Bigg Boss house and building a strong connection with viewers. Reality shows often depend on audience perception, and contestants can experience significant changes in popularity based on their behaviour throughout the season.
The response to Mahhi's entry will therefore develop over the coming weeks as viewers see more of her personality, relationships with fellow contestants and approach to the challenges inside the house. Her previous television experience could help her understand the demands of being in the public eye, but the format of Bigg Boss presents a different kind of challenge because contestants have limited privacy and are observed throughout their stay.
Jay's message has given Mahhi an early show of support from outside the house. His decision to describe her as Don has also become a talking point among fans following the show's premiere.
For now, Mahhi Vij is focused on her Bigg Boss 20 journey, while Jay Bhanushali has publicly encouraged her to make the most of the opportunity. Their supportive exchange comes against the backdrop of their separation but also reflects the family relationship they have said they intend to maintain.
As Bigg Boss 20 progresses, Mahhi's performance, relationships and audience response will determine how far she goes in the competition.