Mumbai: Gaurav Khanna, a well-known television actor, has emerged victorious in the much-loved reality series 'Bigg Boss' season 19, defeating his competitor Farrhana Bhatt to secure the coveted trophy.

The show's host, Bollywood icon Salman Khan, presented Khanna with the trophy and a cash prize exceeding Rs 50 lakh.

"It feels surreal, and I am still processing it all. The love I received was overwhelming. I remained true to myself throughout the show, and I believe that authenticity resonated with the audience," Khanna shared in an interview.

The actor, recognized for his performances in 'Anupama' and 'CID', noted that a pivotal moment for him was when Salman Khan expressed his wish to collaborate with him.

"I was moved to tears at that moment," he recalled.

When asked about his plans for the prize money, Khanna mentioned he intends to leverage his MBA background to make wise investments.

Season 19 of 'Bigg Boss', which commenced on August 24, saw Bhatt finish as the first runner-up.

Farrhana Bhatt, known for her roles in films like 'Laila Majnu' and 'Notebook', expressed her joy in winning the hearts of many during her time on the show.

"I never focused on the trophy; I just aimed to give my best. Seeing the love from the audience made me forget about not winning. I feel like I have won in a different way," she stated.

Stand-up comedian Pranit More secured third place, while content creator Tanya Mittal and composer Amaal Malik finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

One of the standout moments of 'Bigg Boss 19' was the spiritual influencer Mittal, who gained significant popularity due to her unique relationships with fellow contestants.

The grand finale also featured Bollywood star Kartik Aryan promoting his upcoming film 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri', alongside co-star Ananya Pandey. Other notable attendees included TV actor Karan Kundrra, Sunny Leone, and Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh.

At the show's outset, Salman Khan expressed gratitude to 'Bigg Boss' fans for their unwavering support for the contestants.

He also paid homage to the late superstar Dharmendra, sharing a personal connection and reflecting on his 60 years of contributions to entertainment.

An emotional Khan revealed that he lost Dharmendra on his father Salim Khan's birthday, October 24.

This season of 'Bigg Boss' featured a diverse mix of actors, influencers, musicians, and reality stars.

Participants included Awez Darbar, Ashnoor Kaur, Kunickaa Sadanand, Mridul Tiwari, Basheer Ali, Abhishek Bajaj, Zeishan Quadri, Nehal Chudasama, Nagma Mirajkar, and Neelam Giri.