Bigg Boss 19, India’s most popular reality show, is back with a brand-new season. The grand premiere of Bigg Boss 19 kicked off in Mumbai’s Film City, Goregaon. Streaming at 9 PM on Jio Hotstar and telecast at 10:30 PM on Colors TV, Salman Khan once again welcomed fans with his iconic line: “Swagat hai aapka Bigg Boss ke ghar mein!”
This season’s theme is “Gharwalon Ki Sarkar” (The Housemates’ Government) – a power-packed format where contestants will form alliances, strategize for survival, and fight for authority inside the house.
Bigg Boss 19 Contestants: A Mix of TV Stars, Singers, Creators & Surprises
This year’s lineup features 17 contestants from different walks of life, bringing a mix of glamour, talent, and drama:
- Gaurav Khanna (Anupamaa fame, TV’s favorite son),
- Popular dance duo Awez Darbar and Nagma Mirajkar,
- Singer Amaal Mallik,
- Bhojpuri actress Neelam Giri,
- International model Natalia Janoszek.
Through Jio Hotstar’s “Fans Ka Faisla” initiative, viewers got the chance to choose between Shehnaaz Gill’s brother Shehbaz Badesha and YouTuber Mridul Tiwari as a contestant.
The season is expected to run for 5.5 months, making it the longest Bigg Boss season ever. Salman Khan remains the main host, but reports suggest Karan Johar or Farah Khan may also appear in select episodes.
Bigg Boss Winners List (Season 1 to 18)
Since 2006, Bigg Boss has crowned 18 winners – 10 men and 8 women. Each winner’s journey has been unique:
- Rahul Roy (Season 1, 2006) – Bollywood actor who chose a low-key life later.
- Ashutosh Kaushik ( Season 2, 2007) has featured in several films and television series.
- Vindu Dara Singh ( Season 3, 2008) was the winner of the third season of Bigg Boss.
- Shweta Tiwari (Season 4, 2010) – The first-ever female winner, still active in TV.
- Juhi Parmar (Season 5, 2012) is best known for her role in the television serial ‘Kumkum – Ek Pyaar Sa Bandhan’.
- Urvashi Dholakia, (Season 6, 2013) aka Komolika, is known for her vampish characters in Tele serials.
- Gauahar Khan (Season 7, 2014) is a TV personality and actress.
- Gautam Gulati (Season 8, 2015) – Became a household name and starred in Salman Khan’s Radhe.
- Prince Narula (Season 9, 2016) – Crowned as “King of Reality Shows.”
- Manveer Gurjar (Season 10, 2017) was a commoner to win the season.
- Shilpa Shinde ( Season 11, 2018) is known for her role in Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai serial.
- Deepika Kakkar (Season 12, 2019) is a famed TV actress known for her role in Sasural Simar Ka.
- Sidharth Shukla (Season 13, 2020) – The most loved winner, whose untimely death in 2021 left fans heartbroken.
- Rubina Dilaik (Season 14, 2021) – Known for her strong gameplay and still a popular face.
- Tejasswi Prakash (Season 15, 2022) – Rose to greater stardom after her win.
- MC Stan (Season 16, 2023) – Rapper who brought hip-hop into the Bigg Boss world.
- Munawar Faruqui (Season 17, 2023) – Stand-up comedian who combined wit with strategy.
- Karanveer Mehra (Season 18, 2024) – The latest winner, now shining in acting and reality shows.
Across all seasons, more than 270-360 contestants have been part of the Bigg Boss journey, with wild card entries keeping the drama alive.
Why Bigg Boss 19 Stands Out
- Longest season ever: 5.5 months of nonstop drama
- Jungle-themed house designed by Omung Kumar and Vanita Garud
- Fans’ direct involvement in selecting contestants
- Salman Khan’s magnetic hosting ensuring star power
Bigg Boss: More Than Just a Show
Over 18 seasons, Bigg Boss has transformed careers – making stars out of winners and even non-winners like Shehnaaz Gill and Nora Fatehi. From drama and fights to love stories and friendships, the show has become India’s biggest reality TV spectacle.
Controversial Figures Who Created Headlines in Bigg Boss
Bigg Boss has always thrived on drama, and many contestants have walked into the house with a cloud of controversies surrounding them. Some of the most talked-about names include:
- Dolly Bindra (Season 4) – Known for her explosive fights and loud personality, she became one of the most dramatic contestants ever.
- Swami Om (Season 10) – Probably the most notorious contestant, thrown out of the house after violent and objectionable behavior.
- Kamaal R. Khan (KRK, Season 3) – Actor and self-styled critic who was ejected after violent clashes inside the house.
- Ajaz Khan (Season 7 & 8) – TV actor with multiple controversies, later arrested outside the show in separate criminal cases.
- Imam Siddique (Season 6) – Fashion stylist who entered as a wild card and shocked audiences with bizarre antics and confrontations.
- Rakhi Sawant (Season 1 & 14) – Drama queen of Indian TV, always in the limelight for bold statements and high-voltage drama.
- Armaan Kohli (Season 7) – Created headlines for aggressive fights; also had legal troubles outside the house.
- Mandana Karimi (Season 9) – Iranian actress and model who stirred heated debates with her strong opinions.
- Payal Rohatgi (Season 2) – Actress who made headlines for her outspoken nature and controversial political statements later.
- Zubair Khan (Season 11) – Linked himself to Dawood Ibrahim’s family claims (which were denied); was evicted early after heated arguments.
These contestants not only brought controversies with them but also ensured record-breaking TRPs for the show. Bigg Boss has, in many ways, thrived on such larger-than-life and polarizing personalities.
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