This year the theme of Bigg Boss, which is in its ninth season, is “double trouble” so the 14 contestants are — initially at least — set up in pairs. Here’s who has gone into the Omang Kumar-designed house in Mumbai, under the constant gaze of more than 100 cameras in the Indian version of the international reality TV show Big Brother, hosted by leading actor Salman Khan.
Digangana Suryavansh, of Star Plus’ Ek Veer Ki Ardaas Veera, and Roopal Tyagi, a TV actress was last seen on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded, as a wild card entrant.
Says Tyagi, former girlfriend of fellow Bigg Boss contestant Ankit Gera: “I am not worried about who is participating and who is not. I am okay with anyone who enters the house. I am here to play the game and hopefully win. So, I am cool with anyone. I may have done fictional shows but my characters were close to who I was in real-life. I think the audience already knows me. I think the audience will be able to connect with me.”
Suyyash Rai, a TV actor with credits from Kya Hua Tera Vaada, Kaisa Yeh Ishq Hai ... Ajab Sa Risk Hai. He is dating actress Kishwar Merchant, and they are often refereed by fans as “Sukish”. He’s been paired with Bengali ‘Bala’ Rimmi Sen.
Says Sen: “I am venturing into direction next year, so I am using Bigg Boss as my base to connect with my fans again. I have been very choosy about my roles, so my fans have seen me in a handful of films in my 12-year Bollywood career. I am a very calm and composed person when I am in some troubled situation. You will not see me in any controversy. I take time to open up with others.”
Says Rai: “It is going to be difficult to be with each other in front of so many cameras all the time. There is no denying that we are too much in love, we have been very open about our relationship. So, even on the show we will be exactly the way we are in real life. We want to be the ideal couple on Bigg Boss.
Merchant, of TV show Hip Hip Hurray (Zee TV, 1998), and Aman Verma, a TV actor and anchor currently on Humne Li Hai Shapath.
Says Verma: “I feel Bigg Boss is a great opportunity. It will help me in my career in many ways. It is one show on Indian TV which grabs maximum eyeballs and increases the shelf life of an actor. No doubt it sometimes creates controversies too, but the show catapults you into a different league. I am using this show as my major comeback. My family told me to be myself on the show and control my temper.”
Says Merchant: “We have always been perceived as this cute couple. We want that side of us to come out on the show as well. I am not saying that we will not fight or have arguments but we will make up later. The audience will love to see that side. It is a game and even though we may be participating as a pair, we are both individuals and we will play like that. We both want to win the show.”
Mandana Karimi, a Tehran=born Iranian-Indian model and actress, and VJ-turned-actor Keith Sequiera.
Say Karimi: “I don’t want a push to my career. I don’t crave for visibility and I am not looking for job offers. I have good films, which include Ekta Kapoor’s Kya Kool Hain Hum 3. My only reason to join this show was to connect with my fans. People in India love Bigg Boss and I will get an opportunity to show myself to the people. I think perception about you changes every single day when you participate in Bigg Boss. There is no disadvantage for me. I want to be loved by people in India.”
Prince Narula, Roadies X2 winner, and Rochelle Maria Rao, former Femina Miss India International.
Says Narula: “I am on Bigg Boss predominantly for Salman [Khan]. I am a huge fan of the star. Moreover, it is my fourth reality show in a year’s time and I want to be known as the ‘reality king’ of the television. I come from a business family and my parents have seen many ups and downs in their lives. Their struggle will be an inspiration for me to face every situation inside the house. It will help me to concentrate on the show. Bigg Boss will be my last reality show. I will do fiction next after coming out of the house.”
Vikas Bhalla, Prem Chopra’s son-in-law is a TV actor who made his most recent appreacence in Uttaran, and Yuvika Chaudhary, who started with 2005 reality show Zee Cine Stars Ki Khoj and went on to appear in Om Shanti Om.
Says Bhalla: “I don’t think my proximity with Salman [Khan] is going to affect the result of Bigg Boss. I am very close to him and I know how fair he is with his dealings. In the past too, there have been many contestants who were close to him but I don’t think anybody has ever won. It’s a very fair show and Salman is a fair host.”
Says Chaudhary: “I am a very homely girl. It is a big decision for me to say yes to Bigg Boss. But I think it will be a good experience. It is going to be a challenge. I will take part in discussions and if anything goes wrong, I will protest. But I will not create controversies. I have always been very pampered. I have never done any household work. My mother is happy as she says that I will learn to do my own work. It is going to be like a hostel life.”
Also in the show are: Ankit Gera of Sapney Suhaane Ladakpan Ke, who was reportedly in a long-term relationship with Tyagi, and Arvind Vegda, a Gujarati singer.
