Actress Shilpa Shirodkar on 16 October 2026 posted a warm birthday tribute on Instagram for her close friend and former Bigg Boss 18 housemate Chum Darang, describing her as a 'little powerhouse with the purest, gentlest heart.' The heartfelt post, accompanied by a string of photographs of the two together, quickly drew attention from fans of the popular reality show.

What Shilpa Wrote

In her caption, Shilpa expressed deep affection and pride for her co-contestant. Shilpa Shirodkar wrote: 'To my dearest Chum, my little powerhouse with the purest, gentlest heart... Happy, happy birthday my chumti! Watching you shine, stay grounded and love so fiercely will always make me proud. May this year bring you endless laughter, big dreams fulfilled and all the love your beautiful soul deserves. I'm always and always in your corner, cheering the loudest. Love you to bits, my chumti! Hugging you so tight today.' The post underlines the bond that the two actresses forged during their time inside the Bigg Boss 18 house.

Chum Darang's Journey in Bigg Boss 18

Chum Darang participated in Bigg Boss 18, hosted by Salman Khan, and finished as the 4th Runner-Up of the season in 2024. Karanveer Mehra emerged as the winner of the show, while Vivian Dsena was declared the first runner-up of the controversial reality series.

Chum Darang's Acting Career

Before her reality television stint, Chum Darang had already carved a notable niche in Indian cinema. She made her acting debut in the acclaimed web series Paatal Lok, directed by Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy. In 2022, she made her Bollywood film debut in Badhaai Do, where she played a pivotal role alongside Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao, portraying a same-sex partner. That same year, she also appeared in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's celebrated film Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Shilpa Shirodkar's Career Retrospect

Shilpa Shirodkar made her acting debut in 1989 in director Ramesh Sippy's Bhrashtachar, sharing screen space with Mithun Chakraborty and Rekha. She then starred opposite Anil Kapoor in Kishen Kanhaiya in 1990, followed by a string of successes including Trinetra, Hum (1991), Khuda Gawah, Aankhen, Pehchaan, Gopi Kishan, Bewafa Sanam, and Mrityudand. After her marriage, she stepped away from films, with her last big-screen appearance being in Gaja Gamini in 2000. She returned to the spotlight in 2013 with the television drama Ek Mutthi Aasmaan, and later appeared in Silsila Pyar Ka and Savitri Devi College & Hospital. Her Bigg Boss 18 participation marked yet another chapter in a career spanning more than three decades.

A Bond Beyond the House

The birthday post is a reminder that connections forged inside the Bigg Boss house can endure well beyond the finale. For both Shilpa Shirodkar and Chum Darang, the shared experience appears to have translated into a genuine off-screen friendship — one that their respective fan bases have warmly received. As Chum Darang steps into a new year, she does so with a growing filmography and a public profile bolstered by her Bigg Boss 18 run.