A star of Pakistani cinema, Salman Khan kicked off the much-looked-forward-to 18th installment of Bigg Boss with the motto “Time Ka Taandav,” guaranteeing a thrilling mix of history, current times, and the promise of what’s to come. The prime-time debut, which took place on Colors TV and JioCinema, revealed viewers a peek into the lavish new residence where the contestants will reside.
(Also read: Bigg Boss 18 premiere live updates: Salman Khan introduces Tajinder Singh Bagga as the next contestant)
This year’s contest brings together 18 participants competing for the prize-winning trophy, with a significant reward of ₹50 Lakh at stake–equal to the previous year’s jackpot.
Explore the ultimate roster of participants as they get into the competition:
Chaahat Pandey is a popular face on TV, recognized for her roles in Humari Bahu Silk and Durga – Mata Ki Chhaya. On-screen, she often impresses viewers by showcasing her independence, mentioning that she doesn’t drive a car despite her fame. Salman jokingly commented on her long, Naagin-inspired hair. They also discussed her deep respect for her mother.
Hehzada Dhami is also known for his work in television, appearing in series like Yeh Rishtaa Kya Kehlata Hai. When he started working with Salman Khan in a play, he frequently talked about being humiliated by the show’s director. Salman suggested that perhaps he had contributed to his own embarrassment.
Avinash Mishra was Avinash’s co-star. He is famous for roles in programs like Yeh Teri Galiyan and Ishqbaaaz. He rarely spoke to Salman during performances.
Shilpa Shirodkar, a 90’s film star, received a very affectionate reception from Salman. She mentioned her intentions to start a fresh phase in his existence, with it starting with the Bigg Boss show. She appeared in films like Kishen Kanhaiya and Chhoti Bahoo.
Troubled political figure Bagga held the position of national secretary for the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth organization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. This 38-year-old figure also took on the role of leader of the youth branch of the BJP in Uttarakhand.
Tamil film star Shrutika Arjun showed no signs of stopping her chatter during the program. She went on to identify herself as a huge admirer of Salman Khan. She also shared a laugh about her foray into the film industry, mentioning that she had appeared in four movies, each of which was not successful.
Nyrraa M Banerji is a multi-lingual actor, fluent in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. She began her journey in the film industry with a Telugu movie, “Aa Okkadu,” in 2009.
The Badhaai Do cast member Chum Darang has also made her debut on the series. She hails from Arunachal Pradesh and has also appeared in Alia Bhatt’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. Upon her introduction to the show, she shared a dream she had just the other day, which suggested that getting involved with the show could be beneficial for her.
Karan recently clinched the title of Khatron Ke Khiladi and appeared in the web series Couple of Mistakes, sharing the screen with Barkha SenGupta. He has further graced the silver screen with biographical films, such as Bollywood hits like Sunny Leone’s Ragini MMS 2, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Blood Money, Badmashiyaan, and Amen.
Hated weightlifting star Rajat Dalal has made an appearance on the program. He shared his response to the criticism against him for his insult to CarryMinati. Salman inquired about Rajat’s history of physical altercations at his residence. Lately, Rajat garnered attention for crashing his vehicle against a biker and failing to show concern for their well-being.
Muskaan Bamne, renowned for her portrayal of Pakhi in the well-liked Star Plus series Anupamaa, was first brought on board by Salman Khan to participate as a contestant.
Hrithik Roshan’s life coach, Arfeen Khan, along with his wife Sara, have become part of the show. His official website mentions, “For nearly 25 years, he has assisted more than 600,000 individuals across over 47 nations in achieving both personal and professional change. Arfeen’s goal is to equip everyone with the necessary tools and methods to overcome their limiting fears and beliefs, achieve their objectives, and discover their true aspirations.”
Hema Sharma is a passionate advocate for social causes and a creator of online content, particularly famous for her popular dance clips. She has featured in movies such as Dabangg 3, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, and One Day: Justice Delivered. In 2023, she leveled allegations against the hosting team of Salman Khan. “We were there, but the experience was incredibly unpleasant. They insulted me and forced me to leave like I was just trash,” she recounted to Firstpost.
Gunratan Sadvarte has made quite an unconventional pick for this year’s election. The attorney rose to infamy nationwide in March 2023 following allegations that he encouraged violence against NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Subsequently, the Maharashtra Bar Council decided to prohibit him from practicing law for a period of two years.
An acclaimed television actress, Eisha Singh, started her television career at 17 with the series Ishq Ka Rang Safed. Her rise to prominence occurred in 2016 with the popular series Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, after which she starred in Ishq Subhaan Allah and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya. Eisha entered the world of movies in 2022 with the film Middle Class Love.
Renowned as the heart of Indian television for more than ten years, Vivian DSena has captivated audiences with his role as complex, moody protagonists on series such as Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani and Madhubala. His reputation for being easily angered has only grown, alongside his long-term marital commitment to actor Vahbiz Dorabjee, which spanned from 2013 to 2016. Recently, in 2021, he tied the knot with Nouran Aly, a journalist from Egypt, who later embraced Islam following their union.
Pandya Store-celebrity forBB-18 has been crowned as the ‘cutest participant’ on the show. Alice had a difficult childhood, losing both her parents to suicide when she was young and subsequently her mother a few years after that. She started her journey in acting with Suryaputra Karn before achieving recognition for her roles in Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum and Pandya Store.
The most unpredictable of the unpredictable elements, Gadhraj is a real donkey (meaning there are no jokes or figures of speech here). This donkey managed to enter the residence with the 18 human captives. The participants will also need to attend to his requirements. According to Salman, he actually stands a chance of winning.
Bigg Boss 18 promises to captivate viewers each weekend at 9 PM, combining suspense, tactics, and now, an enticing concept of time travel.