And just like that, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has returned with yet another season of his hit television reality show Bigg Boss Malayalam, promising fun and drama like never before. As Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 kicked off in style on Sunday, host Mohanlal revealed the names of the 20 contestants who will compete against each other this time for the top position, among whom is social media sensation Renu Sudhi. Although rumours had been circulating for some time that she would be part of the show this edition, a final confirmation regarding the same has sent the hype around Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 through the roof.
Who is Renu Sudhi?
The second wife of renowned comedian and mimicry artiste Kollam Sudhi, Renu Sudhi, entered the public domain following his demise in a road accident in June 2023. While she initially gained prominence on social media by appearing in reels, music albums, and photoshoots, she quickly began facing massive cyberattacks. She became a “hot topic” because she did not conform to the conventional lifestyle that patriarchal society had imposed on widows. Sections of social media took offence to some of her glamorous photoshoots and began to witch-hunt her, claiming that she was “bringing shame” to Sudhi’s name. From negative comments and body- and slut-shaming to the non-consensual scrutiny of her private and past life aimed at character assassination, Renu has faced it all.
While Renu Sudhi initially gained prominence on social media through reels, music albums, and photoshoots, she quickly began facing massive cyberattacks. (Credit: Facebook/@RenuSudhi)
Years after his first wife left him and their son, Kollam Sudhi found love and companionship in Renu, and the two tied the knot. (Credit: Facebook/@renu.sudhi.10)
Although it’s too early to predict her future in the Bigg Boss house and whether she will emerge victorious, indeed, this will completely revamp her image — for better or worse, which we will have to wait and see. Considering that the show has an audience base that goes far beyond social media trolls and includes commoners such as housewives and older people, Renu Sudhi’s entry to the house will not be just as a viral social media star, but also with the added identity of being “Kollam Sudhi’s widow”, which would offer her a good head start. Considering that she entered show business to support her family after her husband’s demise and has been relentlessly targeted for the same, the chances of Renu attracting sympathy from the audience also can’t be dismissed.
What happened to Kollam Sudhi’s first marriage?
Then an up-and-coming mimicry artiste, Kollam Sudhi’s life took a dramatic turn when his long-time partner and first wife left him and their one-and-a-half-year-old son, Rahul. As a single parent, he struggled to strike the right balance between work and life, while also ensuring he was always there for his son. Years later, he found love and companionship in Renu Sudhi, and the two tied the knot. Besides Rahul, Sudhi has another child, Rithul, from his marriage to Renu. She had recently revealed that Sudhi’s first wife allegedly died by suicide, two years before the comedian’s demise.
Renu Sudhi has entered the Mohanlal-hosted Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 as a contestant. (Credit: Facebook/@RenuSudhi)
Renu Sudhi on her first marriage
Once Renu Sudhi revealed that Sudhi was, technically, her second husband as she had been married once before, although that relationship didn’t last long. In a conversation with a YouTube channel, she said, “I had a life before this. Sudhi also knows about it. It was out of respect for his words that I never spoke of it. There is no need to dig up the past. Even that person (her ex-husband) is not interested in discussing it. He has a family now. His name is Binu. I was going to talk about it on the show Star Magic once, but Sudhi told me not to. His family is also aware of this.”
She added, “As you know, a marriage needs to be registered. Usually, it’s done after a month or two. This relationship didn’t even last a month. So why would one register it? That is a closed chapter. He and I have no connection whatsoever. I am only speaking about it now because these allegations have come up. Until now, I had not said anything, out of respect for my husband’s wishes.”
