Bigg Boss Malayalam season 3 is hosted by Mohanlal. (Photo: Disney+ Hotstar/Screengrab)Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 3 premiered on Sunday with superstar Mohanlal as its host. The actor introduced 14 contestants who entered the house on Sunday.
The previous season went on air last year in January with 17 celebrity contestants. It instantly became a huge success, thanks to the outspoken and, at times, controversial behaviour of the contestants. The season came to an abrupt end following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. On the 75th day of the show, Mohanlal entered the house and delivered the news personally to the remaining 10 contestants in the house.
READ IN MALAYALAM | Meet the contestants of Bigg Boss Malayalam season 3
It is noteworthy that last season of Bigg Boss Malayalam faced some unprecedented challenges. There was an outbreak of eye-infection in the house and contestants Parikutty, Sujo, Alessandra, Rajith Kumar, Reshma, Raghu, Alina and Daya had to leave abruptly to receive medical attention. They were later allowed to rejoin the show.
On Bigg Boss Malayalam 3, as many as 14 contestants entered the house on the launch day. Adhering to all the COVID-19 safety regulations, the showrunners had placed all participants in a mandatory two-week quarantine. They were allowed to enter the house after they test negative for the coronavirus.
The third edition takes off with 14 contestants as opposed to 18 contestants as rumoured earlier. Mohanlal bids good-bye to the housemates and the audience.
Bhagyalakshmi is a veteran dubbing artist. She has dubbed for over 4,000 Malayalam movies, which is a record in itself. She has also appeared in many films. Besides, she is also an acclaimed writer. "I am content and happy with my life. But, this is the first time I am competing in a game. It will put everything I learned in my life so far to test," she said.
Sandhya Manoj is a Malaysia-based yoga instructor, and a dancer. She is known for practising a dance form, which is a fusion of yoga and classical dance. She is a native of North Paravoor.
Rithu Manthra is in the house. Raised by a single mother, she has grown up to be a confident and ambitious woman. According to her, she became a model because it was in her destiny. And she is also a singer of some repute. Mohanlal reminds her of "no-English" clause of the show. All the contestants should speak only in Malayalam for the benefit of the core fan bas. And she promises to keep that in mind.
Mohanlal revealed that Muhammed Ramzan is the youngest contestant of the show. Ramzan greets the superstar on the stage with a back-flip. He is a talented dancer and a 'D4 Dance' talent show title winner.
(Photo: Disney+ Hotstar/Screengrab)
Adoney T John, a student of political studies and a decorated debater, enters the show. He is doing his PhD on Europe's refugee crisis. It looks like we can expect a lot of structured and well-informed debates on the current issues inside the house. Or will he get lost in the din of bruised egos? Only time will tell.
Top television star Anoop Krishnan is in the house. He became a household name with daily soap opera, Seetha Kalyanam. He has also appeared in several movies post his big-screen debut in Mammootty's Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus (2010). Before sending him inside the house, Mohanlal made sure that Anoop takes off his wristwatch.
The next contestant is Sai Vishnu R. He is a model and VJ. Coming from a middle-class family, he aspires to become a movie star. He is confident that Bigg Boss Malayalam will help him get closer to his dreams.
A Lekshmi Jayan is the seventh contestant to enter the house. She is a versatile musician, who has made a mark as a singer and a violinist. She can also sing in the male voice. Her mother's advice to her is, "If you meet someone interesting on the show, get married to him."
Soorya J Menon holds the distinction of being the first Malayalam woman to become a disc jockey. And there were a few pictures, where she looks like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's doppelganger. She has appeared in about 12 films, including Mohanlal's Kandahar. She has a dream of starting an old-age home.
Majiziya Bhanu is a medical student, who has already shattered the glass ceiling in the fitness sport. She is a powerlifting champion and her hijab doesn't come in the way of her dreams. She also has a passion to become a boxer. "Will you hit back, if someone hits you?" asks Mohanlal. "Absolutely," says the Malabar native.
Manikuttan is the fourth contestant. His birth name is Thomas James but in the show business, he is known by Manikuttan. He is a television actor and has also done several notable Malayalam movies, including Mohanlal's Chotta Mumbai.
It feels like we are watching the season opener at a 2x speed. The showrunners have truncated the performances and Mohanlal speaks at the rate, where he rarely stops to catch a breath.
Firoz Azeez aka RJ Firoz aka 'Kidilam' Firoz is in the house. A father of two girls, Firoz holds the Limca Book of Records for RJing non-stop for 105 hours. He has also done several movies. Firoz recalls a childhood memory, where he behaved indifferently to Mohanlal's kindness. But, he also reminded the superstar that he did not take his behaviour to the heart and showed him more kindness.
Dimple Bhal is the second contestant to enter the show. "I am a very unique person," she says. Born to a father from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and a Malayalee mother, Dimple seems to share best of both cultures. She speaks fluent Malayalam. And it's her birthday. She is 21. She wears several hats, including businesswoman, fashion geek, stylist and a cancer survivor. "I smile in the pain and I empathise with the pain of others," she adds.
The first contestant to enter the third season of Bigg Boss Malayalam is Noby Marcose. He is a stand-up comedian and a TV personality. He has also appeared in a few movies.
Mohanlal reveals that the audition to select contestants for the show started last August. And after seven months of work, the showrunners have shortlisted contestants from different walks of life. He adds all of them have been subjected to strict Covid-19 norms as laid down by the government.
The third edition of Bigg Boss Malayalam begins with the show's host Mohanlal recalling how the outbreak of coronavirus had defeated the last season. And he says everyone who survived the pandemic is a winner.