The fight for increasing the prize money of Bigg Boss 16 turned ugly in the latest episode of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show as the non-Mandali members —Archana Gautam, Shalin Bhanot and Priyanka Chahar Chaudhury— left no stone unturned to defeat the Mandal gang members —Shiv Thakare, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia and MC Stan— in the Torture task.

On February 1, Bigg Boss gave the housemates a chance to increase their prize money from Rs 21.8 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. He divided the contestants into two teams: Mandali (Shiv, Nimrit and Stan) and non-Mandali (Archana, Shalin and Priyanka). Sumbul, the extra contestant in the Mandali gang, didn’t participate in this task.

The task was played in two rounds. In every round, the members of one team must grab on to a buzzer while tied to a harness. The opposite team’s members must torture them in every possible way, without pushing or shoving, to force them to let go off the buzzer.

On the first day, when Shalin-Archana-Priyanka grabbed the buzzer, the Mandali gang splashed shampoo, detergent and ice-cold water on them. Shiv was also seen poking Priyanka’s ear with a feather. However, the non-Mandali housemates held onto their positions till the completion of the task.

On the second day, it was the turn of Shiv, Nimrit and Stan to grab the buzzer. Archana left no stone unturned to win the task. Apart from using the usual means to torture the opponent team — splashing water, detergent, shampoo and lotion — she also sprinkled turmeric powder on their faces and shoved food items like fish inside their clothes.

Despite repeated warnings from Bigg Boss, Priyanka and Shalin kept hitting Shiv, Nimrit and Stan with buckets while splashing water on them. Enraged by their behaviour, Bigg Boss cancelled the task 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

Since none of the teams managed to win the task, the prize money of this season remains Rs 21.8 lakh. Nimrit, Shalin, Priyanka and Archana have already made it to the Finale week of the reality show. Shiv, Stan and Sumbul are nominated for eviction from the house this week.