After a high-octane rap concert inside the Bigg Boss 16 house on New Year’s Eve, the housemates are now gearing up for the first nominations of 2023 on the Salman Khan-hosted reality show. This week’s nominations threaten to test the friendship between the ‘Mandli’ members — Shiv Thakare, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Sumbul Touqeer, Sajid Khan, Abdu Rozik and MC Stan.

In a promo shared by the makers of the show, Shiv is seen nominating Sumbul. “You must start taking a stand for yourself,” the former winner of Bigg Boss Marathi tells the Imlie actress. She retorts with a sarcastic “Yeah right” in response. Tonight’s episode will also witness a showdown between Nimrit and Sajid when the former nominates the Housefull director.

Reacting to Nimrit’s move, Sajid says, “I have never been bothered by nominations. Do whatever you like.” Later in the living area, Sreejita De and Nimrit confront him. The Uttaran actress claims Sajid is affected by the nomination but he’ll never admit it. To this a distraught Sajid replies, “Nominate me till February 12, and we’ll see who holds the trophy in their hands.”

The grand finale of Bigg Boss 16 is slated to be held on February 12.

Meanwhile, Shalin Bhanot and Tina Datta’s love-hate relationship has become the talk-of-the-house. In the New Year special episode, Tina and Shalin were seen fighting, following which Tina wept inconsolably. Later that evening, Shalin was seen hugging Tina during Stan’s concert. Tina was heard telling him, “You’re making me fall for you.”

In tonight’s episode, Bigg Boss asks the other housemates their opinion on Shalin and Tina’s relationship. Most of the contestants term it as “fake”. Nimrit feels there is no iota of truth in their relationship. Priyanka Chahar Chowdhury, who is friends with both of them, thinks they are two very different people. Abdu says he doesn’t understand whether they are friends or lovers. The Tajikistan singer says they are putting up a show before the impending nomination task.