POPULAR ACTOR DISCUSSES HIS BIGG BOSS EXPERIENCE AND LADY LOVE JASMIN
by ASJAD NAZIR
HE MAY have hit global news headlines this year for finishing fourth in popular reality show Bigg Boss 14 and dating beautiful actress Jasmin Bhasin, but there is a lot more to Aly Goni. He is a talented actor, who has delivered winning performances in a wide array of projects and someone who has competed well in a range of challenging reality TV shows.
Now with impressive momentum behind him, he is looking to take on more challenges, which means his rapidly growing legion of fans will be seeing a lot more of him.
Eastern Eye caught up with Aly Goni to discuss his Bigg Boss 14 experience, future hopes and much talked about bond with his lady love.
How was your Bigg Boss experience?
Before Bigg Boss, I used to think why do the other contestants say it’s a lifetime experience, but once I went inside the house and witnessed it first hand, I realised it truly is. Being a part of the show was an amazing experience. Performing the tasks as well as doing the household chores made me realise I can do anything if I want to. I made great friends and beautiful memories. I am thankful to the show for making me and Jasmin realise each other’s worth in our lives, and for giving me a great friend and brother, Rahul Vaidya.
OPEN BOOK: Aly Goni
Would you have done anything differently?
No, as I mentioned in the show too, I don’t have any regrets. Even if I was given a second chance, I would have done everything exactly the same way.
What’s the biggest life lesson the show taught you?
The biggest lesson would be to never underestimate yourself and others.
Did you learn anything new about yourself?
Yes! The house showed me that I can control my anger if I want to. I was very short-tempered before the show, but now I know how to calm myself.
What advice would you give anyone going into Bigg Boss 15?
Just be yourself, speak what you like, do things the way you would
do outside. Don’t try to pretend anything, just be yourself.
What is the plan going forward?
I did a music video with Jasmin recently, and am looking forward to
doing more good work, for which my audience can remember me.
What kind of projects are you looking for?
I am looking forward to doing projects where I get to prove my versatility as an actor and get to express different emotions. I wouldn’t mind playing a negative character too.
Do you have a dream role?
My dream was to become an actor and since the day I became one every role is a dream role.
LIVING THE DREAM: Aly Goni
You have done various reality TV shows. Are there any others you would want to do?
I have done Khatron Ke Khiladi, Nach Baliye and Bigg Boss, so I have performed stunts, danced on stage and was locked up in a house for a really long time. If there is a new concept apart from these, then why not.
Your bond with Jasmin Bhasin has been written about a lot. What do you most like about her?
I like everything about her, but I love how she doesn’t shy away from speaking what she feels or showing her emotions.
What does the future hold for you and Jasmin?
We have just begun and have a long way to go.
We learned a lot about you in Bigg Boss 14, but tell us something not many people know about you?
I was an open book in the show, so there’s nothing that my fans did not get to see.
What inspires you?
My family.
Finally, would you give a message to your fans and all those who supported you on Bigg Boss 14?
Thank you for loving me and supporting me unconditionally. I am blessed to have so many well-wishers around me and I hope that you continue to love and support me.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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