The 96th episode of Bigg Boss aired on December 11, turning the house into a whirlwind of emotions, strategy, and shocking decisions. What began as a light-hearted celebration with the housemates dancing to the “Guntur Karam” mass track quickly transformed into a night dominated by confrontations and unpredictable gameplay.

Sanjana and Emmanuel’s Strained Relationship Sparks Drama

The episode opened with Sanjana confidently declaring that she never lacked self-belief and always trusted her ability to win hearts. Her conversation with Bharani revealed her frustrations with Emmanuel, who she felt had hurt her emotionally during the task. Bharani attempted to reassure her that Emmanuel always had feelings for her, but Sanjana insisted she needed space. Meanwhile, Emmanuel, deeply affected by the accusations, emotionally confessed to Suman Shetty that the comments about him being selfish and unsupportive had hurt him more than anything said in the house. Suman supported him, stating everyone knew he had always stood by Sanjana.

Suman’s Elimination Shake-Up Creates Strategic Buzz

When Bigg Boss removed Suman Shetty from the number-based challenge due to low scores, he was given the power to donate half of his points to any contestant. This triggered a round of intense lobbying inside the house. While Pawan hoped to receive the points as repayment for earlier support, Emmanuel believed giving them to Bharani would destabilize their own chances. However, Bharani’s emotional breakdown in front of Suman changed the equation completely. After a heartfelt exchange, Suman was convinced to support Sanjana instead, believing she needed the points more at that stage. The decision pushed Sanjana dramatically upward, altering the entire scoreboard.

Powerboard Shifts and New Tensions Rise

With Suman’s points added, Sanjana climbed to the third position, while Emmanuel and Pawan slipped down. Even so, Emmanuel took the setback positively, joking about being pushed into the lowest tier. The atmosphere soon turned aggressive again when Bigg Boss instructed the contestants to choose someone who must sit out the upcoming task. This was the spark that divided the house into clear factions.

Tanuja Stands Her Ground as Strategic Debates Intensify

Kalyan, Emmanuel, and Pawan initially planned to target Bharani, encouraging Tanuja to support their decision. But Bharani directly approached her, asking for her honest opinion. Tanuja shocked him by declaring that she only targets the top contenders because eliminating someone in last place is a wasted opportunity. Her clarity stunned the house and derailed the trio’s early strategy.

The House Splits as Nominations Turn Personal

When the time arrived to vote, the house split sharply. Bharani, Sanjana, and Suman chose to remove Pawan from the next task, while Kalyan, Emmanuel, Pawan, and Tanuja voted against Bharani. Tanuja’s sudden shift from calling Bharani “Nanna” to addressing him as “Sir” added emotional sting to the decision. The clash that followed exposed cracks in friendships, prompting heated exchanges between Pawan and Sanjana about loyalty and honesty.

Tanuja Emerges as a Key Player While Kalyan Loses Focus

After the dispute, Tanuja warned her group that no decision should be made without her involvement. Emmanuel immediately endorsed her leadership, insisting that the game would be in their hands if she stood with them. Kalyan, already a finalist for the week, slipped into playing entirely for Tanuja rather than himself. While Tanuja sharpened her position, Kalyan unknowingly drifted into a background role, hurting his own long-term prospects.

Pawan’s Exit Pushes Tanuja to the Top

Later, Pawan was eliminated from the number task after failing his challenge. Following Kalyan’s advice, he donated his remaining points to Tanuja. This single move pushed her straight to the top slot, making her one of the strongest contenders at this stage. While the house celebrated the surprise switch, it also highlighted how Kalyan’s loyalty to Tanuja could be weakening his individual game.

A Week of High Drama and Game-Changing Decisions

As the show approaches its final phase, every move carries weight. Emotional outbursts, unexpected alliances, and strategic miscalculations shaped this episode more than any task. While Tanuja rose to the top, the biggest question remains whether Kalyan’s blind support for her will cost him his own momentum. If Episode 96 proved anything, it is that no alliance is permanent and no decision comes without consequences in the Bigg Boss house.