But six years later, a strange, heartbreaking pattern has emerged that fans and internet theorists can no longer ignore. Multiple contestants from Season 13 have faced early deaths, major health issues, public breakdowns, or sudden career stalls. Some fans have started asking:
Is there a ‘curse’ on the cast of Bigg Boss 13?
While “curse” may sound dramatic, the coincidences are undeniably unsettling. Let’s take a look at what’s fueling the speculation—and what this phenomenon says about fame, mental health, and reality TV’s darker side.
Sidharth Shukla: The Heart of Season 13
Winner of the season and beloved for his protective, no-nonsense persona, Sidharth Shukla’s sudden death in 2021 at age 40 due to a cardiac arrest left the nation in shock. His passing wasn’t just a celebrity tragedy—it became a cultural heartbreak, especially among Gen Z fans who had followed his every move post-show.
He was at the peak of his career, with hit music videos, OTT projects, and a fanbase that saw him as more than just a star. His death set the tone for what would later feel like a ripple effect.
Shehnaaz Gill: Grief in the Spotlight
Sidharth’s closest friend—and widely speculated love interest—Shehnaaz Gill spiraled into visible grief after his death. From public silence to teary interviews and haunting music videos, her mourning became painfully public.
While she eventually returned to work, fans often note a shift in her presence—a “before and after” marked by emotional maturity, but also a lingering sadness that never fully left.
Shefali Jariwala: Quiet Battles, Final Goodbye
Another contestant from the same season, Shefali Jariwala, passed away in 2025. Though her cause of death remains private, her known struggle with epilepsy and mental health had been shared in past interviews. She, too, had kept a relatively low profile post-Bigg Boss, despite strong fan loyalty.
Her passing rekindled online murmurs of the so-called “BB13 curse,” especially because she had previously spoken about the emotional toll of the show.
Coincidence or Cultural Pressure?
Is this a “curse,” or is it simply the emotional residue of intense fame, media scrutiny, and psychological strain?
Experts suggest the latter. Reality TV compresses emotions, magnifies trauma, and then broadcasts it for national entertainment. When the spotlight fades, contestants are often left with little mental health support and a hypercritical public.
The so-called “curse” may not be supernatural. But it is culturally revealing. It reflects the cost of entertainment that demands vulnerability but rarely protects those who provide it.
Whether or not you believe in curses, one thing is clear:
Bigg Boss 13 was more than a show. For some, it was a breakthrough. For others, a breakdown. And for all of us watching—it was a mirror.