Gauahar Khan calls out Aasif Khan over Bigg Boss 20 remark
Aasif Khan has drawn criticism over comments about moustaches and masculinity made during a recent episode of Bigg Boss 20, with actor and former Bigg Boss winner Gauahar Khan now publicly questioning his views.
The controversy began during a captaincy-related task when Aasif defended the significance of moustaches while discussing fellow contestant Yung DSA. Aasif, who is from Rajasthan, linked the moustache with identity and suggested that men without moustaches were not considered men in the way he described the cultural outlook.
His comments were challenged inside the house and subsequently drew criticism online. Gauahar later reacted through her Instagram Stories, making clear that she disagreed with Aasif's definition of masculinity.
What exactly did Aasif Khan say?
The episode followed a diss-battle competition won by Yung DSA's team, which included ScoutOP, Aasif Khan, Love Gill, Amrapali Dubey, Rhiti Tiwari and Mary Kom. The win made them contenders for captaincy.
Bigg Boss subsequently asked other housemates to reject contestants they did not want as captain.
During the discussion, Gullu criticised Yung DSA and also referred to the similar moustache styling adopted by members of his group. Aasif defended the issue by referring to his Rajasthan background.
He said:
“Hum naa Rajasthan se aate hain, yeh mooch humari pehchaan hai, aur muchmundo ko mardon mein consider nahi karte hum.”
In essence, Aasif said the moustache was part of their identity and that men without moustaches were not considered men in the way he was describing.
The remark should be understood as Aasif's stated view on the show, rather than as a general description of attitudes across Rajasthan.
Gauahar Khan: ‘He shouldn't have come on the show to showcase such small thinking’
Gauahar Khan reacted strongly to Aasif's conduct.
While acknowledging that his acting career was going well, she questioned why he would appear on the reality show and display what she described as “small thinking and really silly behaviour.”
Gauahar wrote:
“He shouldn't have come on the show to showcase such small thinking and really silly behaviour.”
She also criticised Aasif's reaction during another part of the task involving Rhiti Tiwari and Uditi Singh, saying she was disappointed to see him apparently enjoying the exchange.
Importantly, Gauahar did not dismiss Aasif's professional abilities. She described him as a “good actor”, while separating her appreciation of his acting from her criticism of his behaviour and views on the show.
‘Mard ki nishaani uski unchi soch aur behaviour hoti hai’
Gauahar then directly challenged the idea that a moustache should be treated as a marker of masculinity.
She wrote:
“Mard ki nishaani uski unchi soch aur behaviour hoti hai!”
Her argument was that character, thinking and behaviour—not physical appearance—should be used to judge a person.
Gauahar also invoked Islamic grooming tradition while questioning Aasif's statement, although interpretations and practices around facial hair can vary. Her central criticism, however, remained directed at equating moustaches with manhood.
Aasif faced disagreement inside the Bigg Boss house too
Gauahar was not the first person to challenge Aasif's comments.
Inside the Bigg Boss 20 house, Gullu responded that many men do not keep moustaches and pointed out that the host of the show, Salman Khan, is also generally seen clean-shaven.
Mahhi Vij also disagreed with Aasif's definition of a “real man.”
She argued that masculinity should instead be associated with behaviour such as holding a family together rather than aggression.
The discussion therefore developed beyond a disagreement over facial hair and became a wider debate inside and outside the house over stereotypes surrounding masculinity.
Social media users join the debate
Aasif's statement also generated criticism from viewers online.
Hindustan Times and NDTV reported social-media reactions questioning the idea that having a moustache determines whether somebody should be regarded as a “real man.” Some users also invoked Salman Khan's clean-shaven appearance while challenging Aasif's argument.
These social-media comments represent individual reactions and should not be treated as representative of viewers as a whole.
Aasif Khan’s Bigg Boss 20 stint has already attracted attention
Aasif is widely recognised for his acting work, including Panchayat, but his stint on Bigg Boss 20 has also generated controversy.
Hindustan Times reported that during an earlier Weekend Ka Vaar, host Salman Khan criticised Aasif over his behaviour in the house. The moustache controversy has now put his comments about masculinity under a fresh spotlight.
Meanwhile, in the current eviction cycle, Yung DSA and Isha Rikhi are nominated for eviction, according to reports published on September 25.
Why Gauahar Khan’s response became part of the conversation
Gauahar's intervention carries an additional Bigg Boss connection: she won Bigg Boss 7 and has continued to publicly comment on developments involving subsequent seasons.
Her response in this instance made an important distinction between Aasif Khan's work as an actor and the opinions or behaviour viewers see from him on a reality programme.
Rather than disputing Aasif's acting credentials, Gauahar's criticism was specifically aimed at his comments connecting physical appearance with masculinity.
The episode has consequently turned what began as a captaincy-task exchange into a broader public discussion about how ideas of masculinity are expressed on reality television.
Sources
Primary Source: Hindustan Times, September 25, 2026.
Additional verification: Free Press Journal, NDTV, Mid-day and ABP Live.
