Bigg Boss 20: Jannat Zubair, Gullu, Ruru Thakur to enter Salman's show?
Preparations for Bigg Boss 20 have picked up pace, with several television and digital personalities reportedly approached for the new season. The unconfirmed line-up points to a mix of familiar reality faces, social media stars and possible returning contestants.
The tentative contestant list for Bigg Boss 20 is beginning to take shape as preparations gather pace for the milestone season of the reality show. Salman Khan is expected to return as host, with filming reportedly set to begin on September 21. Auditions and contestant shortlisting are likely to start soon.
Reports are rife that the makers have approached several television personalities, digital creators and reality-show faces, with a few former contestants also in the mix. While the line-up remains unconfirmed, the names doing the rounds include social media stars, actors, musicians and contestants from shows such as Splitsvilla, Lock Upp and Roadies.
Faisal Shaikh: Among the names on the tentative list is Faisal Shaikh, better known as Mr Faisu. He has 33.6 million followers on Instagram, has hosted JioHotstar's Loventure, and has participated in Celebrity MasterChef.
Ridhima Gupta: Also known as Redheemaa, she is another name doing the rounds. She is known for her work in television and digital content. One of her most recognised appearances came in the television drama Megha Barsenge, where she played Satpal Kohli's wife. With over 1 lakh followers on Instagram, she regularly shares behind-the-scenes moments, fashion content and creator collaborations.
Anjali Arora: She has 13 million followers on social media and was the second runner-up in ALT Balaji's Lock Upp. Anjali has appeared in Hindi and Punjabi music videos, including Kaka's Temporary Pyar and Aashiq Purana, as well as Sajna Hai Mujhe, Shayad Fir Se, Tere Bargi and Saiyyan Dil Mein Aana Re.
Jannat Zubair: She began acting in 2008 and has appeared in shows such as Chand Ke Paar Chalo, Dill Mill Gaye, Kashi, Phulwa, Bharat Ke Veer Putra and Tu Aashiqui. Jannat has also appeared in the film Hichki and took part in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12, where she finished fourth. Zubair has 51.4 million followers on Instagram.
Awez Darbar: He has been part of a previous season of Bigg Boss and is expected to make a comeback in the new season. With over 30 million followers, Awez is widely known for his dance videos on Instagram.
Uorfi Javed: Having appeared in the first OTT season of the show, Uorfi is also among the names being discussed. She later rose to fame for her fashion choices and has since appeared in the film Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 and starred in the reality series Follow Kar Lo Yaar. She also won The Traitors India and recently appeared as a mischief-maker on Splitsvilla alongside Nia Sharma.
Arbaz Patel: He has appeared in MTV Splitsvilla X5, Bigg Boss Marathi Season 5, the first season of Rise & Fall and The 50. Arbaz is also dating former Bigg Boss contestant Nikki Tamboli.
Bhagirath Bhatt: Another reported name in the mix, Bhagirath is an Indian sitar player and has contributed to projects across Bollywood, South Indian cinema, Marathi cinema and Gujarati cinema.
Bhavya Singh: She rose to fame after appearing on MTV Splitsvilla Season 12 and most recently appeared in The 50.
Ruru Thakur: A DJ by profession, Ruru is also reportedly in the conversation. She rose to fame through MTV Splitsvilla Season 15 and 16. In the recent season, her relationship with fellow contestant Yogesh Rawat drew attention.
Kushal Tanwar: Also known as Gullu, Kushal is another frontrunner on the tentative list. He has won shows such as Roadies and Splitsvilla.
Santy Sharma: He is a rapper, singer and lyricist from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. In recent months, Santy also made headlines after speaking about the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which became a talking point on social media.
What is known about the new season
Preparations for Bigg Boss 20 are already underway. Variety India has reported that filming is expected to begin on September 21. Sources told the portal that the makers are expected to begin auditions and shortlisting shortly, and that several television personalities have already been approached. Contestants from popular reality shows are also being considered as the franchise continues to draw a younger OTT audience, while some former contestants may return.
Details of the format and final line-up, however, remain under wraps.
Bigg Boss 19 delivered steady ratings during its run and generated considerable online conversation, with names such as Gaurav Khanna, Farrhana Bhatt, Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal and Baseer Ali among the most talked-about contestants.
Ahead of Bigg Boss 20, Salman Khan is also expected to complete a significant portion of his upcoming action thriller with director Vamsi Paidipally, which also stars Nayanthara. He is also awaiting the release of Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, directed by Apoorva Lakhia and co-starring Chitrangda Singh.
The tentative contestant list for Bigg Boss 20 is beginning to take shape as preparations gather pace for the milestone season of the reality show. Salman Khan is expected to return as host, with filming reportedly set to begin on September 21. Auditions and contestant shortlisting are likely to start soon.
Reports are rife that the makers have approached several television personalities, digital creators and reality-show faces, with a few former contestants also in the mix. While the line-up remains unconfirmed, the names doing the rounds include social media stars, actors, musicians and contestants from shows such as Splitsvilla, Lock Upp and Roadies.
Faisal Shaikh: Among the names on the tentative list is Faisal Shaikh, better known as Mr Faisu. He has 33.6 million followers on Instagram, has hosted JioHotstar's Loventure, and has participated in Celebrity MasterChef.
Ridhima Gupta: Also known as Redheemaa, she is another name doing the rounds. She is known for her work in television and digital content. One of her most recognised appearances came in the television drama Megha Barsenge, where she played Satpal Kohli's wife. With over 1 lakh followers on Instagram, she regularly shares behind-the-scenes moments, fashion content and creator collaborations.
Anjali Arora: She has 13 million followers on social media and was the second runner-up in ALT Balaji's Lock Upp. Anjali has appeared in Hindi and Punjabi music videos, including Kaka's Temporary Pyar and Aashiq Purana, as well as Sajna Hai Mujhe, Shayad Fir Se, Tere Bargi and Saiyyan Dil Mein Aana Re.
Jannat Zubair: She began acting in 2008 and has appeared in shows such as Chand Ke Paar Chalo, Dill Mill Gaye, Kashi, Phulwa, Bharat Ke Veer Putra and Tu Aashiqui. Jannat has also appeared in the film Hichki and took part in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12, where she finished fourth. Zubair has 51.4 million followers on Instagram.
Awez Darbar: He has been part of a previous season of Bigg Boss and is expected to make a comeback in the new season. With over 30 million followers, Awez is widely known for his dance videos on Instagram.
Uorfi Javed: Having appeared in the first OTT season of the show, Uorfi is also among the names being discussed. She later rose to fame for her fashion choices and has since appeared in the film Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 and starred in the reality series Follow Kar Lo Yaar. She also won The Traitors India and recently appeared as a mischief-maker on Splitsvilla alongside Nia Sharma.
Arbaz Patel: He has appeared in MTV Splitsvilla X5, Bigg Boss Marathi Season 5, the first season of Rise & Fall and The 50. Arbaz is also dating former Bigg Boss contestant Nikki Tamboli.
Bhagirath Bhatt: Another reported name in the mix, Bhagirath is an Indian sitar player and has contributed to projects across Bollywood, South Indian cinema, Marathi cinema and Gujarati cinema.
Bhavya Singh: She rose to fame after appearing on MTV Splitsvilla Season 12 and most recently appeared in The 50.
Ruru Thakur: A DJ by profession, Ruru is also reportedly in the conversation. She rose to fame through MTV Splitsvilla Season 15 and 16. In the recent season, her relationship with fellow contestant Yogesh Rawat drew attention.
Kushal Tanwar: Also known as Gullu, Kushal is another frontrunner on the tentative list. He has won shows such as Roadies and Splitsvilla.
Santy Sharma: He is a rapper, singer and lyricist from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. In recent months, Santy also made headlines after speaking about the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which became a talking point on social media.
What is known about the new season
Preparations for Bigg Boss 20 are already underway. Variety India has reported that filming is expected to begin on September 21. Sources told the portal that the makers are expected to begin auditions and shortlisting shortly, and that several television personalities have already been approached. Contestants from popular reality shows are also being considered as the franchise continues to draw a younger OTT audience, while some former contestants may return.
Details of the format and final line-up, however, remain under wraps.
Bigg Boss 19 delivered steady ratings during its run and generated considerable online conversation, with names such as Gaurav Khanna, Farrhana Bhatt, Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal and Baseer Ali among the most talked-about contestants.
Ahead of Bigg Boss 20, Salman Khan is also expected to complete a significant portion of his upcoming action thriller with director Vamsi Paidipally, which also stars Nayanthara. He is also awaiting the release of Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, directed by Apoorva Lakhia and co-starring Chitrangda Singh.
