‘Big Boss’ Mahat stars in show

ONE of the headline acts in the Vijay TV Starnite concert on Friday was Big Boss contestant Mahat Ragavendra, popularly known simply as Mahat.

The concert brought to stage some of the top acts from the Star TV Network, which is a popular Tamil entertainment channel that is available in South Africa on Dstv channel 455.

Mahat, a childhood friend of actor Simbu, has acted with the likes of Ajith Kumar in Mangatha , Vijay in Jilla and Simbu in Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan.

Although he’s an established movie star he believes that it was his exposure as a Big Boss contestant (a reality TV show that follows the Big Brother format) that brought him instant recognition and fame.

The journey with Big Boss was tough, he recalls, but staying in one house with 10 other people for over 70 days makes one take a deep introspection and helps one recognise one’s weaknesses. “Hence I was able to work through my weaknesses”, said Mahat.

“Big Boss has taught me some very important life lessons. I learnt what it was to be human and how important qualities like kindness and compassion are. I discovered myself through Big Boss. Since I am an entertainer, my passion is to educate people via entertainment. If I can change even a few lives to lead better lives then my objective is realised,”he said.

His mother is a scientist, who worked at Nasa and his dad an engineer. With both parents living abroad, Mahat recalls living his younger years in hostels.

“I missed my parents terribly so now when they come over to visit, they are treasured moments. Knowing, that they are back in India means a lot”.

Lutchmanan is an educator, author and linguistic campaigner. She is also a presenter/producer at Lotus FM.