Nora Fatehi has revealed that she was dealing with delayed payments for several songs when she received the offer to enter Bigg Boss 9. Although she initially had no interest in reality television, the actress and dancer eventually agreed after seeing an opportunity to gain visibility and negotiate for a spot on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Nora Fatehi has revisited one of the more unexpected decisions from the early stage of her career—her entry into Bigg Boss 9.
The actress and dancer joined Salman Khan’s reality show as a wildcard contestant in December 2015. While Bigg Boss has since become associated with Nora’s journey, she recently revealed that she was initially reluctant to participate.
Her decision, she said, came at a time when she was also trying to recover payments for work she had already completed.
Nora Fatehi Says She Was Waiting for Payments
Speaking on the Untriggered podcast, Nora recalled working on several songs without receiving her expected payments on time.
“I did a bunch of songs, and they weren’t giving my money,” she said, explaining that the producers may have paid the agency involved, while she was still waiting to receive her payment.
Nora described the situation as stressful and said she was repeatedly following up and fighting to get what she was owed.
It was during this period that she was approached about Bigg Boss. Her initial reaction, however, was not enthusiastic.
The actress said she did not want to participate because she felt reality television did not fit the career vision she had for herself at the time.
That changed when she was told about the financial terms of the offer.
Why Nora Changed Her Mind About Bigg Boss
Nora said she gradually began viewing Bigg Boss differently. Instead of seeing it simply as a reality show, she recognised its potential as a major publicity platform.
“It is not a bad thing; it is a platform, and it immediately makes you a household name if you are smart,” she explained.
Her status as a wildcard contestant also influenced her decision. Nora understood that she was unlikely to remain in the house for a very long period, which made the opportunity easier to view as a strategic career move.
She began considering whether her Bigg Boss appearance could lead to something else that was more closely connected to her ambitions.
Nora Wanted to Do Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa
Nora revealed that she particularly wanted to participate in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, a celebrity dance reality show that aired on the same channel.
She therefore proposed an arrangement in which she would participate in Bigg Boss in return for an opportunity to appear on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
“I really wanted to do Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, and it was the same channel. So I told them to give me Jhalak, and in return, I would do Bigg Boss. I got Jhalak in exchange,” Nora recalled.
Her comments suggest that the Bigg Boss offer became attractive not only because of the payment but also because of the exposure and opportunities she believed could follow from it.
Nora Fatehi’s Bigg Boss 9 Journey
Nora entered Bigg Boss 9 as a wildcard contestant in December 2015 and remained on the show for several weeks before being evicted in January 2016.
During her time inside the house, she developed a close friendship and playful equation with fellow contestant Prince Narula. Their interactions, including moments of flirting, became part of the season’s storyline.
Prince eventually emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss 9.
He later married fellow contestant Yuvika Chaudhary. The couple have since welcomed a daughter, Ekleen Narula.
From Bigg Boss Contestant to Established Performer
Looking back, Nora’s Bigg Boss appearance became one of the early television chapters in a career that would eventually expand across films, music videos, dance performances and international projects.
Her latest comments provide a glimpse into the practical considerations behind that early decision. At a point when she was dealing with delayed payments and was unsure about reality television, Nora said she ultimately recognised Bigg Boss as a platform that could introduce her to a much larger audience.
What began as an opportunity she initially rejected eventually became part of her wider journey in the entertainment industry.
