Big B welcomes Sawant's mum on Bigg Boss

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan launched the third season of the reality TV show Bigg Boss on Sunday night and welcomed 13 participants - including Rakhi Sawant's mother, Jaya.

Jaya was quite an unexpected participant, considering her strained ties with Rakhi, who was a part of the show in the first season in 2006.

While Rakhi didn't care to invite her mother to the finale of her recent Swayamvar show, the latter was upset that Rakhi was taking the decision about her life partner without her family's consent. "I thank the general public for understanding me. I am confident that I will be able to handle everyone on the show," Jaya told Bachchan before entering the Bigg Boss house.

She recalled how Bachchan had given her a Rs200,000 (Dh15,137) cheque for her mother's well-being in the 1990s. She said while he may be a superstar to the world, to her he is more than that. "You had helped my mother when she was ill and she gave you a lot of blessings."

Dressed in a flashy red, green and gold sari, Jaya seemed ready to give her famous daughter a run for her money with her melodrama.

The 13 participants will be closeted in the house and one will be voted out each week. The winner will walk away with the grand prize of Rs10 million (Dh756,879).