Bigg Boss 19: Co-stars, friends, rivals to lock horns this year on Salman Khan-hosted show
With just 14 days to go for Bigg Boss 19, the buzz around the show is strong, and from what we hear, the makers plan to put relationships to the test this season.
Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 19 is set to arrive in two weeks. This year, the digital-first season will stream on JioCinema, and after 90 minutes, the episode will air on Colors TV. On Thursday, the makers released the show’s official trailer, in which Salman dropped hints about the new season. Promising viewers an intriguing dose of “demo-crazy,” he further amped up excitement for Bigg Boss 19. At SCREEN, we’ve already shared some exclusive details about the season, and now, we have even more updates on the show’s contestants.
What we know about Bigg Boss 19 so far
This year, Bigg Boss 19 is said to run for five months, and like we told you earlier, this season, the housemates will be running the show. Salman Khan also confirmed the same in the show’s official trailer. He said, “This is happening for the first time in 18-19 years that in the Bigg Boss house there won’t be drama crazy, but it will be demo-crazy. All big and small decisions will be in the hands of the housemates, but every decision will also come with a consequence. This season it will be gharwalon ki sarkaar.”
Like we had informed earlier, this season it won’t be Bigg Boss Chahte Hai, but rather Bigg Boss Jaanna Chhate Hai. The audience will play a crucial role in deciding nominations and making other key decisions on the show this year. In line with the political theme, contestants will be divided into two teams — the ruling party and the opposition. Each week, they will compete in a satta badal task to elect a new sarkaar to run the house.
Bigg Boss 19 update
This season will feature 15 contestants entering the show, with three to four wild card entries expected to join later. According to an update from our source, 10 contestants have already been locked, and the casting this year is said to be the best in the last two seasons. Another source revealed that the makers plan to truly level up the game by casting friends, co-stars, rivals, and exes to spice things up. For instance, Apoorva Mukhija could find herself pitted against her The Traitors co-star Purav Jha. Similarly, Siwet Tomar could find himself pitted against Khank Whagnani. Both acquaintances would be placed on opposing teams to ensure fairness in the ‘rajneeti’ that unfolds in the Bigg Boss 19 house.
A source also shared, “The game is leveling up this year. While the entire perception around the show has been that it is biased and orchestrated, this year, the makers are trying to change that perspection. Even the contestants are leveled up.” Host Salman Khan is also said to be very involved in the show this year.
While the final list of contestants will only be revealed on premiere day, a few names rumoured to be confirmed include Dheeraj Dhoopar, Sailesh Lodha, Gurucharan Singh, Hunar Gandhi, Mr. Faisu, Dhanashree Verma, Apoorva Mukhija, and Pooja Gamingg. Others still in talks are Purav Jha, Nidhi Shah, Jannat Zubair, Hiba Nawab, Sreeram Chandra, and Gaurav Khanna. It was also reported last week that The Traitors contestant Elnaaz Norouzi was offered Rs 6 crore per week to appear on the show, but had to decline due to film commitments.
Bigg Boss 19 starts from August 24 at 9 pm on JioHotstar and 10:30 pm on Colors TV. Salman Khan will be hosting the show for three months.
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More