Exclusive - Bigg Boss Telugu 5 finalist Maanas opens up on his relationship with transwoman contestant Priyanka Singh; here's his reply to her backb*tching allegations

Actor Maanas Naagulapalli, who is often dubbed as 'Mr. Cool of Bigg Boss Telugu season 5', looked concerned about the allegations made by his co-contestant Priyanka Singh. While the two were often linked up during the show, Maanas, in his recent exclusive chat with ETimes TV, opened up about his relationship with Priyanka. He has also reacted to her allegations of backb*tching. Excerpts...

"She has been a friend. I've told her that I respect her feelings and would not mince words to tell her if she ever crossed the line. That's where I draw the line," states Maanas.

Talking more about their equation, the actor said, "I've always tried to be her good friend and uplift her game if possible. Moreover, I didn't want her transgender image to take over her performance. She was the one who told me that she doesn't want people to be caring or sympathetic towards her just because she was a transgender. I suggested that she needs to stop using the word for people to connect with her for what she is. I even sought a promise, sort of, to not use that word in the house again. I was very annoyed when she brought that argument during the last captaincy task. She shouldn't have used it. But again, it was her last trump card. She should have rather tried a little harder in the previous weeks."

Commenting on her allegations, the actor said, "I've been told that she was shown a few clips of me talking behind her back. Back b*tching is too strong a word. I haven't spoken behind Priyanka's back or discussed anything with her friends or someone else. Is sharing my opinion and feeling with a mutual friend wrong? Don't we do that in real life?

If Priyanka has felt bad about it, that's ok. Hasn't she ever spoken behind my back? She has in fact had conversations about me with contestants whom I think she has coordinated outside the house as well. Her game play in the tower task backs my argument."

He adds, "Also let me even ask you. Why are they showing clips of me to Priyanka especially knowing that she gets instigated quickly. What is the motto behind this? Does someone not want me to be a finalist? I want people to think about this as well."