Kushal Tanwar, better known as Gullu, is all set to enter the Bigg Boss 20 house. The reality TV star has already made a name for himself by winning not one but two popular reality shows — Roadies and Splitsvilla. Now, he is taking on perhaps his biggest reality-TV challenge yet with Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss.
Gullu was confirmed as one of the contestants of Bigg Boss 20 ahead of the show’s September 6 premiere. His entry comes shortly after he lifted the Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa trophy with Kaira Anu. The duo won the dating reality show and took home ₹20 lakh in prize money.
But who exactly is Gullu and how did he become one of the most recognisable faces in India’s reality-TV circuit?
Who Is Gullu aka Kushal Tanwar?
Gullu’s real name is Kushal Tanwar. He is a content creator and reality-TV personality from Gurugram, Haryana, who rose to prominence through his appearances on competitive reality shows.
His biggest breakthrough came with MTV Roadies XX: Double Cross. Gullu initially competed as part of Elvish Yadav’s gang but was eliminated early in the competition. However, he returned as a wildcard and eventually fought his way to the finale.
His comeback proved successful as he went on to win the season, taking home the Roadies trophy, Rs 10 lakh and a bike. Interestingly, Roadies was not his first attempt to get on the show. Gullu had auditioned back in 2019, when he reportedly turned up dressed as a fake sheikh. His first attempt did not work out, but he returned years later and eventually became the winner.
How Did Gullu Win Splitsvilla X6?
After his Roadies victory, Gullu entered another major youth reality show — MTV Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa. The season featured two villas, Pyaar Villa and Paisa Villa, along with hosts and mischief-makers Uorfi Javed and Nia Sharma. Gullu quickly became one of the most talked-about contestants, particularly because several contestants already knew him through social media.
During the season, he formed a strong connection with Kaira Anu. Their equation eventually took them all the way to the finale.
Gullu and Kaira emerged as the winners of Splitsvilla X6, beating the other finalists and taking home the Rs 20 lakh prize.
What Was Gullu’s Roadies Controversy?
Gullu’s Roadies journey was not completely smooth. He initially represented Elvish Yadav’s gang but was eliminated from the show. After returning as a wildcard, he joined Gautam Gulati’s gang before eventually using the season’s Double Cross twist to switch back to Elvish’s team.
The decision did not go down well with Gautam and Gullu was subsequently labelled a betrayer by some viewers. However, the controversial move ultimately worked in his favour. He continued through the competition and eventually won the season.
What Is Gullu’s Alleged Marriage Controversy?
Gullu has also faced speculation about his personal life. In 2025, a photograph circulated online showing him dressed in a white sherwani alongside a woman wearing a red lehenga. Some social-media users claimed that the picture was from his wedding and began speculating about his marital status.
The rumours became particularly persistent after Gullu’s popularity increased following Roadies. However, Gullu himself addressed the speculation and denied being married. According to a 2025 Times of India report, he said that the pictures being circulated as his wedding photographs were fake or manipulated and that he was unaware of their origin.
Why Could Gullu Be One Of The Bigg Boss 20 Contestants To Watch?
Gullu enters Bigg Boss 20 with something many contestants do not have which is extensive experience with reality-TV competition. He has already dealt with eliminations, comebacks, alliances, rivalries, romance and high-pressure tasks on Roadies and Splitsvilla. More importantly, he has won both formats.
After winning Roadies and Splitsvilla consecutively, Gullu now has a chance to complete an impressive reality-TV hat-trick with Bigg Boss 20.
