The much-anticipated Bigg Boss 18 premiere saw fitness influencer Rajat Dalal candidly addressing his past controversies and setting the record straight with host Salman Khan. Known for his bold personality, Rajat took the opportunity to clear misconceptions about his image, which he believes has only been viewed in a "negative light" so far.

Rajat, a popular figure on social media with 1 million followers on Instagram and over 200k subscribers on YouTube, acknowledged his reputation as a "bad boy" and "villain." During the show’s premiere episode, he spoke openly about his feud with influencer Carryminati and his recent arrest for rash driving. He also shed light on a past incident involving a godman, which had further fueled his controversial image.

Even Rajat Dalal was looking like a kid infront of Salman Khan.. socho phir kis level ki body h bhai ki that too at age 58 #SalmanKhan #BiggBoss18 pic.twitter.com/76YPvimg2q

— (@RadheHiNaamHai) October 6, 2024

"I have always been called a villain on social media. People know my controversies but have never tried to understand the reasons behind them," Rajat said during his introduction on the show. He emphasized that his achievements as a professional powerlifter went unnoticed, while his legal troubles have overshadowed his success. "When I wore medals, no one paid attention. But when I was handcuffed, that's when everyone started searching my name," he explained.

When Salman Khan inquired about his much-publicized feud with Carryminati, Rajat admitted he had been at fault but maintained that he had not instigated the issue. "I never made any hate comments against him until his roast video, where he made fun of me," Rajat revealed. He expressed his disappointment with the way the controversy escalated, stating, "If you influence a huge audience, you should not defame someone."

Rajat also addressed an incident involving a godman, which led to significant backlash. He defended his actions, claiming that he would never tolerate anyone mocking his religious beliefs. "If someone ridicules my religion or culture to make money, it’s not acceptable to me," he told Salman.

The fitness influencer also opened up about his recent legal troubles, including an arrest for rash driving in September and a separate incident in June where he was booked for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a teenager. Despite his controversial past, Rajat expressed a desire to use his time on Bigg Boss 18 to change public perception and showcase his positive side, which he believes has been largely ignored.

Salman, who has a reputation for offering valuable advice to contestants, urged Rajat to control his impulsive nature inside the Bigg Boss house and think carefully before reacting. "People have said and written so many negative things about me. I never go after them. Just let them be," Salman advised.

With Rajat Dalal looking to change his image and the Bigg Boss 18 house known for its unpredictable nature, fans are eager to see how the influencer navigates his time on the show.