India’s biggest controversial reality show, Bigg Boss, has entered its 20th season. The much-awaited Bigg Boss 20 premiere took place on September 6, with Salman Khan welcoming the new batch of contestants.
This season brings a unique twist with the theme ‘Tathaas-Two’, which introduces the much-talked-about ‘Vardaan’. Unlike previous seasons, the contestants will get two lives, giving them an extra chance to survive inside the Bigg Boss house.
A total of 16 contestants entered the Bigg Boss 20 house. From television actors and Bollywood faces to Bhojpuri stars, rappers, gamers and social media creators, the new season has a diverse mix of personalities.
Bigg Boss 20 Contestants: Meet The 16 Housemates
1. Kanika Mann
Television actress Kanika Mann became the first contestant to enter Bigg Boss 20. She rose to fame with the popular TV show Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega, where she played Guddan.
Kanika also explored web series, music videos and films. She recently appeared in Naagin 7, where she played Radhika, the dragon. The actress also made her Punjabi film debut with Pind Peya Saara Jombieland Baneya last year.
2. Aasif Khan
Actor Aasif Khan entered the Bigg Boss house as the second contestant. The actor has impressed audiences with his performances in popular shows and web series including Panchayat, Mirzapur and Paatal Lok.
Fans also widely recognise him for the viral Panchayat dialogue, “Gajab beizzati hai yaar.” During his Bigg Boss 20 introduction, Aasif revealed an interesting connection with Salman Khan. He shared that he appeared as a junior artist alongside his friend in Salman’s Dhinka Chika song.
3. Qazi Touqeer
Singer Qazi Touqeer became the third contestant of Bigg Boss 20. He shot to fame after winning the popular singing reality show Fame Gurukul.
His entry brings a familiar reality-show face to the Bigg Boss house, and viewers will now get to see his personality beyond the singing stage.
4. Isha Rikhi
Actress and model Isha Rikhi entered Bigg Boss 20 as the fourth contestant. She made her acting debut with the Punjabi film Jatt Boys Putt Jattan De in 2013. Isha went on to work in several Punjabi and Hindi films.
Isha Rikhi has recently attracted media attention amid reports surrounding her alleged marriage and separation from rapper Badshah in 2026. Her entry adds another film personality to this season’s diverse contestant lineup.
5. Amrapali Dubey
Popular Bhojpuri actress Amrapali Dubey became the fifth contestant to enter the Bigg Boss 20 house. Before making her mark in Bhojpuri cinema, Amrapali worked in Hindi television shows including Saat Phere – Saloni Ka Safar, Maayka, Rehna Hai Teri Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein and Mera Naam Karegi Roshan.
She later established herself as one of the leading names in Bhojpuri cinema with films such as Nirahua Hindustani. Her popular on-screen pairing with Bhojpuri star Dinesh Lal Yadav aka Nirahua has also earned her a massive fan following.
Nirahua arrived to support Amrapali and wish her luck before her Bigg Boss journey began. She was recently seen in Bhojpuri Bawaal.
6. Rohed Khan
Actor and model Rohed Khan entered the Bigg Boss house as the sixth contestant. Known for his work across Bollywood, European and international cinema, Rohed has appeared in films including Tejas and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
His international background and experience in the entertainment industry could bring a different dynamic to the Bigg Boss house.
7. Love Gill
The seventh contestant, Love Gill, earned her place in Bigg Boss 20 through ‘Fans Ka Faisla’. She competed against Rhiya Ahir, but Love received more votes from the audience and secured her entry into the house.
Love started her career as a music video model before moving into television and Punjabi films. Her entry also makes her one of the contestants who entered the show through the audience’s decision.
8. Mary Kom
Indian boxing legend Mary Kom made a grand entry as the eighth contestant of Bigg Boss 20. The Olympic bronze medallist has created history in boxing and remains one of the most celebrated sportspersons in India.
Mary Kom has won the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times and eight World Championship medals. The Government of India has honoured her with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
During her Bigg Boss 20 introduction, Mary Kom also received a special video message from Priyanka Chopra, who played her in the 2014 biographical film Mary Kom.
9. Yung DSA
Pune-based Marathi rapper Yung DSA, whose real name is Harsh Machare, entered Bigg Boss 20 as the ninth contestant.
The rapper has made a name for himself in the Indian underground and regional hip-hop scene. His track “Yeda Yung” gave him massive popularity and helped him reach a wider audience.
10. Scout
Popular gaming creator and esports athlete Scout, also known as Tanmay Singh, became the tenth contestant.
Scout is one of India’s well-known names in the gaming and esports space. He has built a huge following through BGMI/PUBG Mobile esports, gaming content and live streams.
His entry brings the gaming community into the Bigg Boss house for the new season.
11. Arishfa Khan
Social media influencer and actress Arishfa Khan entered Bigg Boss 20 as the eleventh contestant. She started her career as a child actor on Hindi television.
Over the years, Arishfa successfully transitioned into digital content and became one of the popular young creators on social media. Bigg Boss 20 will now give audiences a chance to see a different side of her personality.
12. Gullu
Digital creator and reality-show personality Kushal Tanwar, popularly known as Gullu, became the twelfth contestant.
Gullu already has experience with reality television. He won MTV Roadies and MTV Splitsvilla, making Bigg Boss 20 another major reality-show challenge for him.
With his previous reality-show experience, viewers can expect Gullu to bring his competitive side into the Bigg Boss house.
13. Aman Gandhi
Television actor Aman Gandhi entered the show as the thirteenth contestant. He has appeared in popular daily soaps, including Bhagya Lakshmi and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.
Aman’s entry adds another television actor to the Bigg Boss 20 lineup.
14. Uditi Singh
Actress, model and digital creator Uditi Singh became the fourteenth contestant of Bigg Boss 20.
Uditi has worked in films and music projects and appeared in Himesh Reshammiya’s Surroor 2021. She also attracted public attention through her relationship with television actor Karan Wahi whom she dated for about two years before parting ways in 2022.
Her Bigg Boss entry marks a new chapter in her career as she steps into the reality-show format.
15. Rhiti Tiwari
Singer, songwriter and composer Rhiti Tiwari, also known as Riti or Zooni, entered the Bigg Boss house as the fifteenth contestant.
She is the daughter of popular Bhojpuri actor and politician Manoj Tiwari and his first wife, Rani Tiwari. With her musical background and celebrity family connection, Rhiti has entered the show with plenty of curiosity surrounding her journey.
16. Mahhi Vij
Popular television actress Mahhi Vij became the final contestant to enter the Bigg Boss 20 house.
Mahhi is best known for her memorable roles as Nakusha in Laagi Tujhse Lagan and Nandini in Balika Vadhu. She later made her television comeback with Seher – Hone Ko Hai.
Mahhi’s daughter Tara also made an appearance during the premiere night, making her entry an emotional moment for the actress.
Bigg Boss 20 Introduces The ‘Vardaan’ Of Two Lives
After all 16 contestants entered the house, Bigg Boss welcomed them and explained the biggest twist of the season — the Vardaan.
Bigg Boss revealed that every contestant will have two lives and two chances in the game. A contestant will not get evicted from the show until they lose both their lives.
The new rule gives contestants an extra layer of security while also encouraging them to play the game more openly.
Bigg Boss told the contestants:
“Bigg Boss season mein 2 lives hongi. Contestants tab tak beghar nahi honge jab tak unki dono lives nahi jaati. Toh aap logon ko Bigg Boss ki backing hai. So, kisi ko bhi chupkar ya darkar khelne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Apko apni real personality ko chupane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Khulkar kheliye.”
With this unique two-lives Vardaan, Bigg Boss 20 promises to bring a new format to the controversial reality show.
Now, with 16 contestants under one roof, the real game begins. It remains to be seen who uses their extra life wisely, who creates the biggest controversies and who emerges as the winner of Bigg Boss 20.
