Salman Khan to host only 15 weeks, political twist teased, new OTT-first format, and a star-studded rumoured lineup fuel fan frenzy.
The stage is set for Bigg Boss 19, which is all set to premiere on August 30 with what’s being called the most daring and dramatic season yet.
This time, the show will roll out in a hybrid format—episodes will first stream on JioCinema, followed by a 90-minute delayed telecast on Colors TV. This marks a major shift in how the show reaches audiences, blending OTT with traditional television.
Salman Khan, the face of Bigg Boss for over a decade, will host only the first 15 weeks of the five-month-long season. His reported fee stands between Rs8 to 10 crore per week, while talks are underway with Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, and Farah Khan to take over the host’s seat in the final stretch.
Sources say Salman filmed the season’s promo on July 21, with the shoot running from 2pm to midnight. The teaser reportedly hints at a political undertone, suggesting the show may lean more into satire and social commentary this year rather than sticking solely to its usual entertainment-driven content.
Khan’s rising compensation mirrors the show’s evolving scale—he earned Rs200 crore in Season 17 and Rs250 crore for Season 18, and the new digital-television combo is expected to drive even higher engagement and ad value.
While the final contestant list remains under wraps, industry buzz points to a star-studded mix of television actors and digital influencers. Names like Gautami Kapoor, Dheeraj Dhupar, Gaurav Khanna, Alisha Panwar, and Khushi Dubey are said to be in talks. Influencers such as Gaurav Taneja (Flying Beast), Mr. Faisu, Apurva Makhija, and Purav Jha have also reportedly been approached.
Other potential housemates include Dhanashree Verma, content creator Arshifa Khan, viral makeover artist Makey Makeover, and singer Shri Ram Chandra.
With no official confirmations yet on the full lineup or season duration, anticipation is high as Bigg Boss gears up to enter uncharted territory this August.