Meet BB Telugu Season 9's First Runner Up Thanuja Puttaswamy? Single But Linked To Pawan Sai

The grand finale of Nagarjuna hosted Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 aired on December 21, 2025. The four-month-long season ended amid high-voltage fights, emotional scenes, and rivalries. Kalyan Padala, Pavan, Sanjjanaa Galrani, Thanuja Puttaswamy, and Emmanuel competed to win the coveted title. Kalyan became the winner of Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9, while Thanuja became the first runner-up of the show after surviving weeks of eliminations. The grand finale saw Kalyan and Thanuja in a tough competition as Sanjjanaa Galrani had become the first contestant to be eliminated from the controversial show, followed by Emmanuel.

Before Kalyan was declared the winner, host Nagarjuna shared that the prize money was Rs. 50 lakh. Post Demon Pavan walked off with Rs. 15 lakh; the prize money was then reduced to Rs. 35 lakh. The suitcase had Rs. 20 lakh, so if either of the finalists accepted. Then the prize money would be reduced to Rs. 15 lakh. Thanuja did not take the suitcase containing the prize money and told Nagarjuna that if she took this suitcase, it would disappoint her fans. Thanuja also revealed being in Bigg Boss Telugu 9  because of them; hence, it is not right to accept this.

Who is Thanuja Puttaswamy?

Thanuja Puttaswamy is also called as Thanuja Gowda. She is a famous South Indian film and TV actress who got a lot of recognition for her work in the Kannada and Telugu serials. She was born on March 5, 1992 back in Bangalore, Karnataka. Thanuja was raised in a middle-class family. Her dad, Puttaswamy, has been a businessman while her mom, Savithri, is a homemaker. Thanuja also has two elder sisters called, Anuja and Pooja.

Is Thanuja Puttaswamy dating Pawan Sai?

During one of the Family Week in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9, Thanuja had her close friend and co-star, Pawan Sai, along with actress, Haritha. Thanuja had cried seeing them on the stage, and the actress clarified multiple times that Pawan Sai has always been a very important person in her life. She often goes to him when she has to make personal and professional decisions. Thanuja clarified of not dating him.

How much did Thanuja Puttaswamy earn from Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9?

Thanuja may not have gotten the winner's prize money that Kalyan Padala got. However, she received the prize money of being the first runner-up of Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9. Thanuja had taken Rs. 35,000 every day to take part in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9. According to a report by the Siasat, her weekly salary in the controversial show was around Rs. 2.5 lakhs. Her total earnings were around Rs. 37.5 lakhs.

Thanuja Puttaswamy's acting debut was with a horror movie

It was in 2013 when Thanuja Puttaswamy had made her acting debut that also with the Kannada horror movie named, 6-5=2. The movie was then dubbed in Telugu with the name Chitram Kadu Nijam, which was also remade in Hindi. Thanuja was then seen in the Kannada movie, Dhande Boys, before she got fame in the Telugu TV domain.

What is the net worth of Thanuja Puttaswamy?

Thanuja's big break in the TV came with the character of 'Parvati' in Muddha Mandaram which was a Zee Telugu serial. The show had run for over 1500 episodes. She was also seen in the Tamil TV serial called Siva Manasula Sakthi and also in Telugu daily soap named, Agnipariksha. She has also received an array of awards that included Favourite Heroine, Evergreen Couple next to co-star, Pawan Sai and also many Zee Kutumbam Awards. The net worth of Thanuja due to her TV career, along with varied brand endorsements, has been the first source of her income. Her estimated net worth as per a report by News X has been around Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs. 2 crore.

Is Thanuja Puttaswamy single?

Thanuja is reportedly aged 33 and is unmarried. She likes to keep her personal life extremely guarded and likes to give full focus on her acting career. Thanuja is fluent in languages such as Kannada, Telugu, and English, and loves to travel, dance, and also read. Thanuja, on her Instagram handle, often shares snaps of her everyday life on her social media feed. Thanuja likes to share glimpses related to her family, lifestyle, and her hobbies on Instagram.

Thanuja Puttaswamy studied from Bangalore University

Thanuja had graduated from Bangalore University and also did her schooling from there. She always had an interest in performing arts which made her pursue her career in the acting field. Back on the small screen, Thanuja had made her TV debut with the famous serial called Andala Rakshasi. However, it was her role as 'Parvathi' that resonated with the hearts of her fans and Thanuja became the top leading actress in the Telugu TV industry.

Team BollywoodShaadis wishes Thanuja Puttaswamy congratulations for being the first runner up of Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9.

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