Hema Sharma, the first contestant eliminated from Bigg Boss 18, has shed light on her life after the show. Following her exit, she found herself amid a controversy when her estranged husband made serious accusations against her. Recently, Hema shared that she’s facing financial difficulties and even had to sell her gold earrings to cover rent. Although many believe that being on the show would have opened doors for her, Hema revealed that she is still dealing with financial struggles.
In an interview with The Free Press Journal, Hema Sharma opened up about her challenges when she discovered she’d been chosen for Bigg Boss 18. With just Rs 50,000 in her pocket and barely a day and a half to get ready, Hema faced mixed emotions, balancing her excitement for the opportunity with concern over leaving her children behind.
The actress recently spoke about her financial struggles, explaining that despite her steady efforts on social media, her monthly income barely reached Rs 50,000 to 60,000. This amount covered just the basic necessities and enabled her to continue her work. Since her separation from her husband in April, Hema has shouldered full responsibility for her children, managing everything from their meals and education to household bills.
In the same interview, Hema shared that her husband only contributed Rs 35,000 towards rent, offering no further financial help and frequently taunting her about money. She grew emotional as she recalled the challenging time before joining the show, describing how she sought support from several people, though none responded. To ensure her children’s safety, she left them her ATM card and her gold earrings for emergencies.
Reflecting on her time in Bigg Boss 18, Hema Sharma shared her feelings of discomfort when she saw other contestants wearing trendy outfits, while she had to keep repeating her limited wardrobe. When she was sent to jail inside the house, she lacked even basic items like slippers and nighttime clothes.
"I didn’t even have enough money to buy a single new saree," she explained. "I could only afford a few nightgowns, priced at around Rs. 1000, before entering the show. One even tore on the first day. For 12 days, I managed with just three nightgowns. When I confided in Sara about not having enough clothes, she lent me her kaftan. Watching everyone change into fresh outfits each day really affected my morale, as I had no choice but to repeat my clothing," recounted the Dabangg 3 actress.
Following her eviction from Bigg Boss 18, Hema Sharma and her estranged husband, Gaurav Saxena, publicly accused each other of neglecting their family responsibilities. Speaking about the same, Hema alleged that Gaurav attempted to capitalize on her popularity to boost his own reputation. She explained that, while he had been providing her with a monthly allowance of Rs. 35,000 for the past seven months, he recently ceased this financial support without warning.
Hema also disclosed the financial difficulties she now faces, sharing, "I had to sell my earrings, valued at Rs. 1,37,000, just to cover my rent, electricity bills, and other essential expenses. I’m speaking about this for the first time because even those close to me were unaware of the struggles I encountered before entering the Bigg Boss house."
She has been open about her struggles with her marriage.