Salman Khan Photo: Wikipedia
Patna: Salman Khan returns as the host for the milestone 20th season of the reality show Bigg Boss, which premiered on September 6, 2026, on Colors TV and JioHotstar. The new season features a diverse line-up of 18 contestants, including Olympic boxer Mary Kom, television actor Mahhi Vij, and Aman Gandhi. While the official list was not released by the broadcaster hours before the premiere, multiple media sources have confirmed the contestant list.
Mary Kom, a six-time World Amateur Boxing Champion and Olympic bronze medalist, is making her reality television debut with the show. The boxing legend is one of the most high-profile names in the cast this season.
Mahhi Vij, known for her role as Nakusha in Laagi Tujhse Lagan, has been confirmed for the show. This is not her first reality show, as she has previously participated in Nach Baliye and Khatron Ke Khiladi. Her participation comes after she announced her separation from husband Jay Bhanushali earlier this year.
Television actor Aman Gandhi, who has played roles in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 and Bhagya Lakshmi, is also part of the confirmed line-up. Other confirmed contestants include actress Isha Rikhi, whose recent separation from rapper Badshah has attracted attention, Bhojpuri actress Amrapali Dubey, and actress-singer Rhiti Tiwari.
Rhiti Tiwari, daughter of actor-politician Manoj Tiwari, was introduced in a promo where Salman Khan recreated her father’s iconic Bigg Boss 4 moment. In the promo, Salman told her, ‘Ghar ke andar, ande le lekar kabhi fight nahi karna (Do not fight over eggs when inside the house)’ and joked, ‘Ae baap pe mat jaana. (Don’t talk about my father)’.
Other confirmed names include model-turned-actress Riya Ahir, actor Kushal Tanwar (known as Gullu), actor Lovepreet Gill, singer Qazi Touqeer, actors Asif Khan and Rohed Khan, rapper Yung DSA, and actress Kanika Mann.
Leading up to the premiere, several other names were rumoured to be in talks, including actress Mouni Roy, while others like businessman Lalit Modi and sitarist Bhagirath Bhatt denied participation. The show, a staple in Indian television, airs Monday to Sunday at 10:30 PM on Colors TV and streams at 9:00 PM on JioHotstar.
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