Nikki Tamboli In 'Rise And Fall', Defends Arbaz Patel Amid Hug Controversy With Dhanashree Verma

In a surprising twist, Nikki Tamboli has entered the Rise and Fall house not to compete but to address the growing chatter around her boyfriend, Arbaz Patel’s comments to fellow contestant, Dhanashree Verma. The hug controversy, which went viral online, saw Arbaz telling Dhanashree to avoid hugging male housemates and instead stick to side hugs, a statement that sparked a heated conversation online. Now Nikki has entered the house to support her boyfriend and address the same.

Nikki Tamboli cleared the air around Arbaz Patel’s side hug remark

Nikki, known for her straightforward nature since her Bigg Boss days, decided to set the record straight. According to her, the situation was misunderstood and blown out of proportion. She emphasised that Arbaz’s reaction stemmed from his conservative upbringing, not from any form of possessiveness or judgment. She could be quoted as saying: 

“Arbaz comes from a very reserved background. He hasn’t been around girls who hug so closely, so his reaction came from a place of concern, not discomfort. He was just being protective and caring at that moment.” 

Nikki Tamboli defended boyfriend, Arbaz Patel

By entering the house, Nikki ensured her clarification was heard not just by viewers but by the housemates themselves. She highlighted that Arbaz’s protective instincts were sincere rather than restrictive, she was seen urging everyone to understand his personality before passing judgment on him. She said that people need to understand his nature before jumping to conclusions. Her intervention painted Arbaz in a more relatable light and aimed to ease the tension that had been brewing inside and outside the house.

What was the hug incident that sparked debate?

For context, the controversial moment occurred when Arbaz told Dhanashree not to hug other male contestants. Dhanashree, who is known for being confident and outspoken, immediately countered by saying she enjoys greeting people with hugs and would continue to do so. This exchange quickly caught fire online, with many viewers labelling Arbaz’s behaviour as ‘possessive.’

More about Nikki Tamboli and Arbaz Patel 

Nikki Tamboli and Arbaz Patel’s relationship began when they were together on Bigg Boss Marathi 5. The chemistry between them was noticed early in the show, and it developed over the course of two months that they were inside the house. After the show ended in October 2024, Nikki made their pairing Instagram official with a loved-up photo, using couple hashtags like #Arnik and #Nikbaz, confirming what many viewers had suspected.

However, their romance didn’t begin on a completely clean slate. During Bigg Boss Marathi 5, Nikki’s mother reportedly revealed that Arbaz had previously been engaged to Leeza Bindra. This sparked doubt and emotional moments, including a period where Nikki took a step back due to confusion and hurt. Arbaz later clarified that he had ended his previous engagement for her. Since then, Nikki has spoken about how she fell in love at first sight when she first saw Arbaz on stage, and she has appreciated his protective and career-oriented nature.

What are your thoughts about Nikki Tamboli defending Arbaz Patel?

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