Overview
Concept
Bigg Boss is a reality TV show inspired by the original Dutch Big Brother format created by John de Mol Jr.. In this competition, a group of contestants, referred to as "housemates", live together in a specially designed house, cut off from the outside world. Each week, these housemates nominate each other for eviction, and those with the highest nominations face a public vote. Ultimately, one housemate is "evicted" each week.
There are some unique elements to the eviction process. Besides public voting, housemates with special privileges, like the captain, may have the power to evict someone directly. Additionally, Bigg Boss has the authority to modify the eviction process as needed, sometimes introducing exceptions or twists.
The final week of the show, with three to six housemates left. During this time, the public votes for their favorite contestant, leading to the crowning of a winner.
While most participants are celebrities in Indian version, seasons 10, 11 and 12 saw an influx of commoners as housemates, bringing a new dynamic to the show. Notably, Manveer Gurjar, a commoner, emerged as the winner of Season 10.
The housemates' actions and interactions are monitored by the voice of Bigg Boss, a mysterious figure who represents the show's authority and enforces rules. [2]
House
The Bigg Boss house is a unique and carefully designed space that serves as the central setting for the popular reality show which is built for each season. Over the seasons, its location has varied, with the initial seasons situated in tourist-magnate hill station of Lonavala, Pune district of Maharashtra and later moving to ND Studios in Karjat, in Maharashtra's Raigad district for Season 5. From Season 13 onwards, the house has been established in Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai. [3] [4]
The architecture of the house is contemporary and well-furnished, featuring a range of modern amenities to facilitate the daily lives of the housemates. Key areas include: Kitchen, Living Area, Bedroom (two in first three seasons while four in sixteenth season and three in seventeenth season), Bathrooms (two toilets, two bathrooms, two washrooms in bedroom, one washroom in jail, one washroom in garden area), Storeroom, Garden and Pool Area, Lounge Room, Activity Area, Medical Room, Smoking Room, Luggage Area, Dining Area, Jail, Gym and Balcony.
One notable aspect of the Bigg Boss house is the Confession Room, an essential feature where housemates can express their thoughts, feelings, strategy or any kind of conversation as Bigg Boss listens and talks with them. This is also where the nomination process occurs sometimes. [5]
To ensure the housemates remain disconnected from the outside world, the house is devoid of televisions, telephones, internet access, clocks, books, pens, or paper. [2]
Rules
While not all the rules have been explicitly communicated to the audience, several key ones are clearly established. Inmates are required to speak only in Hindi. Tampering with any electronic equipment or other items in the house is strictly prohibited. They may not leave the premises at any time without permission. Physical violence is completely forbidden. Discussing the nomination process with anyone is also not allowed. Housemates must remain awake until the lights go off, and they can only converse outside of the designated smoking area. Additionally, singing is not permitted within the house, nor can they write anything while inside. [6]
Occasionally, housemates may be nominated for various reasons, including being chosen by individuals with special privileges obtained through tasks, for breaking rules, or for other unspecified reasons. In serious cases, a contestant may face expulsion from the house. [7]
Airing
The main television coverage of the show consists of a daily highlights program and a weekly eviction show, typically aired on Saturday/Sunday and known as "Weekend Ka Vaar" or for Monday known as "Somvaar Ka Vaar". In Seasons 16 and 17, the weekend episodes moved to Friday/Saturday ("Shukravar Ka Vaar" and "Shanivar Ka Vaar"), all broadcast on Colors TV, while the first season aired on Sony TV. [8]
Each daily episode features key events from the previous day, while Saturday’s episodes focus primarily on the host's analysis of the housemates' performances and special tasks. Sunday’s episodes include a fun segment with guest appearances and the eviction of the housemates nominated that week. Notably, in Seasons 16 and 17, evictions took place on Saturdays instead of Sundays.
From Season 14 onward, "Bigg Boss" introduced a 24/7 Live Channel for Voot Select subscribers, and later for JioCinema Premium subscribers. This allowed viewers to enjoy direct engagement with the show’s happenings. Episodes were also aired 30 minutes earlier on Voot Select and JioCinema Premium until Season 17.
In Season 16, a new segment titled "Bigg Bulletin with Shekhar Suman" was introduced, airing on Sundays and hosted by Shekhar Suman. Season 17 saw the introduction of another segment, "Just Chill with Arbaaz & Sohail," hosted by Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, also on Sundays. In Season 18, episodes included "Tandav Ka Overtime," extending the usual one-hour episode with additional content to cover the day's events. Season 18 also saw the launch of segment named "Haye Daiyaa With Ravi Bhaiyya Garda Udaa Denge," hosted by Season 1 finalist Ravi Kishan, again on Sundays.
On Season 19, Episodes will be aired 90 minutes before the TV Broadcast on JioHotstar
