Model Sushant Divgikar, the winner of Mr Gay India 2014, hopes that his presence on the reality show Bigg Boss 8 can change perceptions of people about the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.
"I think I can sensitise the people about my community by being the face of LGBT community in Bigg Boss," Sushant told IANS from Mumbai before entering the show, which began Sunday night. (Meet the Bigg Boss 8 Contestants: Who's Here and Why)
The past seasons of Bigg Boss have seen names like Bobby Darling, Rohit Verma, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and Begum Nawazish Ali, as LGBT representatives.
In the last season of Bigg Boss, actress Celina Jaitley, who is also an activist for the LGBT community expressed her displeasure for the insensitive comments by housemates and the show's host towards the LGBT community. (Also Read: Minissha Lamba on her "Agenda" on the Show)
For his part, Sushant says it would be great if his presence on the show inspired someone to come out of the closet.
What if someone makes a personal remark on his sexuality?
"Your reaction reflects your upbringing. I would deal with the situation according to the intensity of the comment," said Sushant, who has a double masters degree in psychology.
However, he has no intentions of using it to his advantage in the reality show.
The model entered the show "without any expectations" and is looking forward to having a great time.
He calls himself technology challenged, and has no hang ups about leaving behind his phone and gadgets to enter the world of Bigg Boss.
"I'm glad to leave my phone outside. It doesn't cripple you in any way and makes you realise that you can live without it," he said.
However, Sushant is apprehensive about being disconnected with the world.
"Not knowing what is happening around the world is frustrating for me. I need my intellectual stimulation from time to time," he said.
The eighth season of Bigg Boss is being aired on Colors channel.
