Viral promo captures heartwarming Family Week moment as television star breaks down seeing beloved co-stars Pavan Sai and Haritha enter the Bigg Boss stage
In a touching moment that has captured the hearts of millions across South India, Bigg Boss Telugu 9 contestant Thanuja Puttaswamy became emotional when her Mudda Mandaram co-stars Haritha Thota and Pavan Sai appeared as guests on the show. The promo video has received widespread attention from viewers and has garnered more than 1.4 million views since it was uploaded, melting hearts across social media platforms.
A Reunion That Brought the House Down
The latest promo of Bigg Boss Telugu 9, hosted by Telugu superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni, shows the Kannada actress getting teary-eyed as she sees her former cast members on the Bigg Boss Telugu 9 stage. The heartwarming moment captured the pure emotion of old bonds returning to the spotlight, with Thanuja’s quiet tears speaking volumes about nostalgia, love, and the comfort of cherished relationships.
Sharing the latest promo, the official YouTube channel of Star Maa wrote enthusiastically, “Get ready… Sunday entertainment is loading with all the fun and family love!“
During Family Week in the show, her close friend and co-star Pawan Sai, along with actress Haritha, appeared on stage, with the emotional moment moving Thanuja to tears. Haritha expressed her pride by saying “I am very proud to see you,” while Pawan Sai recalled their bonding and even jokingly quoted the famous Arjun Reddy dialogue, leaving Thanuja slightly embarrassed.
Thanuja Puttaswamy’s Emotional Message to Fans
Following the viral moment, the official Instagram handle of Thanuja Puttaswamy shared the promo video along with a heartfelt caption that read: “Sometimes, the bonds we share with family and friends speak louder than any words. They carry emotions, strength, and unbreakable support. Seeing her smile now shows everything she has become—strong, graceful, and full of heart. Her father’s wish for her to win the trophy isn’t just a dream… it’s a blessing of confidence and pride. And with the love surrounding her, she will lift that trophy, not just for herself, but for everyone who believes in her”.
The emotional post revealed both the support system behind Thanuja’s journey and her determination to make her family proud, particularly her father, whose blessing she carries with her in the Bigg Boss house.
The Mudda Mandaram Legacy
Thanuja is best known in Telugu circles for her lead role in Mudda Mandaram—the kind of daily soap that glues half of southern India to the screen most evenings, where she played Parvathi and stole the show for over 1,500 episodes. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Pavan Sai became legendary, with WhatsApp forwards dedicated to this beloved pair.
Running for over 1,500 episodes, the serial became one of the most popular shows on Telugu television, with her on-screen chemistry with co-star Pavan Sai adored by fans, and the pair earned a massive following on social media. Thanuja won multiple accolades including Favourite Heroine, Evergreen Couple (with co-star Pawan Sai) and multiple Zee Kutumbam Awards.
A Special Bond Beyond the Screen
Thanuja has clarified multiple times that Pawan Sai is an important person in her life, often seeking his advice for personal and professional decisions, though they are not in a relationship. The reunion on Bigg Boss Telugu 9 showcased the genuine friendship and mutual respect between the two actors who spent years working together on one of Telugu television’s most beloved shows.
From Bangalore to Bigg Boss: Thanuja’s Journey
Born on March 5, 1992, in Bangalore, Karnataka, Thanuja grew up in a middle-class family where her father, Puttaswamy, is a businessman, and her mother, Savithri, was a homemaker. She has two elder sisters, Anuja and Pooja.
Thanuja’s journey didn’t begin with the glitz of television; it started back in Bangalore, where her family had academic dreams for her, but her own compass pointed stubbornly toward the world of performance—much to her father’s frustration, who actually stopped talking to her for years when she took her first film role instead of pursuing a stable job as a teacher.
Thanuja made her acting debut in 2013 with the Kannada horror movie 6-5=2, which later was dubbed into Telugu as Chitram Kadu Nijam and remade in Hindi. She further appeared in the Kannada film Dhande Boys before gaining widespread fame in Telugu television with her breakthrough role of Parvati in the Zee Telugu serial Mudda Mandaram.
Bigg Boss Telugu 9: A New Chapter
Kannada actress Thanuja Puttaswamy was the first contestant to enter the Bigg Boss Telugu 9 house when the show premiered on September 7, 2025. Thanuja recently shared on Instagram, feeling excited, tense, and nervous at once, thanking fans for their love and support in her journey.
In her typical bold style, she quipped on air, “I know everyone expects the innocent girl, but innocence doesn’t win this game. Watch me”, showcasing the determined spirit that has defined her career.
Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 started with Nagarjuna returning as the host, introducing a new theme called “Owners vs Tenants,” featuring two houses — one for celebrities and one for common people. A total of 15 contestants have entered the show: 9 celebrities and 6 commoners.
Personal Life and Current Status
Thanuja Puttaswamy is 33 years old as of 2025, still unmarried, and keeps to herself regarding her relationships and social life, preferring to focus on her acting life. Her net worth is estimated to fall somewhere between ₹1.5 crore to ₹2 crore as of 2025.
Fluent in Kannada, Telugu, and English, she enjoys dancing, travelling, and reading, often sharing glimpses of her life on social media, highlighting her family, simple lifestyle, and hobbies.
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A Career of Versatility
Beyond her iconic role in Mudda Mandaram, Thanuja also appeared in Tamil television with the serial Siva Manasula Sakthi and in Telugu soap Agnipariksha. She also participated in the Telugu cooking-comedy reality show Cooku with Jathiratnalu and reached the finalist stage.
She owns an Instagram account with the username @thanuja_puttaswamy_, which has over 174k followers, where she actively engages with her fanbase.
What’s Next for Thanuja?
Viewers can watch the upcoming episodes of Bigg Boss Telugu 9 from Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM on the Star Maa channel, with 24/7 streaming available on the JioHotstar platform.
As Thanuja continues her journey in the Bigg Boss house, the emotional reunion with her Mudda Mandaram family has only strengthened viewer support for the actress. Her father’s dream of seeing her lift the Bigg Boss trophy, combined with the unwavering support of her co-stars and millions of fans, makes her one of the strongest contenders this season.
The viral promo has reminded audiences why Thanuja Puttaswamy became a household name in the first place—her genuine emotions, strong relationships, and the ability to connect with viewers on a deeply personal level. Whether she wins the trophy or not, Thanuja has already won hearts with her authenticity and grace under pressure.
As the season progresses, fans eagerly await more such heartwarming moments while cheering for their beloved Parvathi from Mudda Mandaram to make her father’s dream come true and emerge victorious in Bigg Boss Telugu 9.
