Is Bigg Boss casting the real formula for TRP?

Is Bigg Boss casting the real formula for TRP? With Mahhi Vij and Mary Kom emerging as contestants, understand the makers’ ‘controversy strategy’ through the casting for Bigg Boss 20.

Bigg Boss 20 started on September 6. As with every season, the show features contestants whose lives have, in one way or another, been mired in controversy. This raises the question: are contestants chosen for the Bigg Boss house, or are the controversies that are selected? A clear pattern emerges when looking at past seasons. The makers bring in a mix of faces: some who are immensely popular, others who are already trending on social media, and some whose personalities, relationships, or past controversies can set the stage for conflict inside the house. Then there are those who need to revive their careers or establish an identity.

This same formula is evident in Bigg Boss 20. Fifteen contestants have entered the house, including names such as Mahhi Vij, Isha Rikhi, Amrapali Dubey, Mary Kom, Kanika Mann, Gullu, Scout, Arishfa Khan, and Manoj Tiwari’s daughter, Reeti Tiwari.

As Bigg Boss 20 begins, let’s take a look at the makers’ strategy behind selecting controversial contestants.

The most controversial contestants of Bigg Boss 20

1. Isha Rikhi

Separation from Badshah: Isha Rikhi had secretly married singer and rapper Badshah in February. A few weeks later, Isha and her family confirmed the marriage by posting photos, although Badshah himself did not confirm it. Soon, Isha began sharing cryptic posts, sparking rumours of a rift. Amidst the controversies, Badshah announced his divorce from Isha Rikhi this week, stating that the separation was by mutual consent. Just days after the divorce announcement, Isha has made an appearance on a show.

2. Mahhi Vij

Regarding her separation from Jay Bhanushali: Mahhi and Jay were a popular couple in the TV industry; however, they got divorced in 2026. Mahhi has frequently addressed issues concerning their marriage and personal disputes through her vlogs. Both have been the subject of significant discussion and controversy this year.

3. Amrapali Dubey

Rumours of a relationship with Nirahua – for a long time, Amrapali has been linked to Nirahua (Dinesh Lal Yadav) by rumours of a relationship. Additionally, rumours regarding her religious conversion circulated after a video of her wearing a hijab surfaced; this was later attributed to a film project.

4. Mary Kom

The personal life of Olympic medalist and six-time world champion Mary Kom has been in the headlines for some time. Mary Kom and her husband, Karung Onler Kom, divorced by mutual consent in December 2023. Initially, the couple did not disclose the reason for the divorce; however, in an interview with PTI, she claimed to have suffered financial losses caused by her husband. She alleged that Onler took out loans in her name, transferred her properties to himself, and misused funds derived from her earnings.

5. Arishfa Khan

In December 2018, 21-year-old Danish Zehen died in a road accident; he had been a participant in MTV Ace of Space. Following his death, Arishfa Khan shared a deeply emotional post on social media, describing herself as a close friend of his. Claims circulated on social media that she was his girlfriend, though Arishfa’s mother dismissed this assertion. The controversy escalated further when Danish’s brother, Gufran, accused Arishfa Khan of seeking publicity over his brother’s death.

Taking these allegations seriously, Arishfa accused Gufran of harassing her and her family and tarnishing her image. She often grabs headlines for her controversial and bold statements, something that could also benefit Bigg Boss 20.

6. Gullu (Kushal Tanwar)

Splitsvilla Controversy: Gullu was already a familiar face after winning Roadies Double Cross and Splitsvilla 16. His past connection with Preet Singh during Splitsvilla garnered significant attention. He also made headlines for the altercations he was involved in during these shows.

Major Format Change for Bigg Boss 20 to Boost TRP

In previous seasons, contestants often tried to stay in each other’s good books and avoided conflicts for fear of being voted out. However, a significant change has been made to the format this year to alter this trend. The show’s theme for this season is ‘Tathastu,’ meaning every contestant will be granted two lives. Right from the premiere, contestants have been encouraged to play aggressively—showcasing their personalities boldly and engaging in conflicts—since the immediate risk of elimination is lower.

Bringing Riya Ahir into the show was a publicity stunt.

There were reports that Riya Ahir—who had grabbed headlines after stopping a van during a protest by the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’—would be brought onto the show. This generated promotional buzz for the program. A voting process was even conducted to facilitate her entry. Although Riya made it to the stage during the premiere, the public verdict revealed that, due to insufficient votes, she would not be entering the show.

What happened in the previous season—Bigg Boss 19?

Controversies were once again one of the biggest USPs of the show in Bigg Boss 19. The makers brought together a diverse mix of personalities, and before long, relationships, quarrels, accusations, and social media debates erupted within the house.

Tanya Mittal was the prime example of this. She insisted on being addressed as ‘Ma’am’ or ‘Boss’ on the show and remained constantly in the spotlight due to her lifestyle and claims regarding her alleged 150 bodyguards. The media counted her among the most talked-about personalities of the season.

On the other hand, Farhana Bhat remained in the spotlight due to her outspoken and often sharp remarks. Her clash with popular TV actor Gaurav Khanna also grabbed plenty of headlines.

Why do makers choose controversial contestants?

1. Controversy, buzz, and free publicity

For Bigg Boss, the most important thing isn’t just TRP; it is staying relevant and being the talk of the town.

When a contestant makes a statement that sparks a debate on social media, clips from the show go viral. The media reports on it, videos are created on YouTube, and reactions pour in on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Essentially, a single contestant’s conflict turns into free publicity for the show across multiple platforms.

2. Every season needs a ‘villain’

Reality show narratives often require a character who antagonises the audience. Faces like Tanya Mittal and Farhana Bhatt played this role in Bigg Boss 19. Whether or not the audience agreed with their behaviour, they certainly became topics of conversation.

Often, the contestant who angers the audience the most ends up securing the most screen time.

3. Crafting a ‘Good vs. Bad’ narrative

Makers don’t just want a group of ‘nice’ people; they want clashes of personality. The show frequently features confrontations between calm individuals and aggressive ones—such as Hina Khan vs. Shilpa Shinde, Gauahar Khan vs. Tanishaa Mukerji, Karishma Tanna vs. Gautam Gulati, and Munawar Faruqui vs. Abhishek. Surprisingly, such rival pairs often make it to the top two.

4. Social media fan bases are now a major force

Today, Bigg Boss is not just a show for the television audience; a contestant’s fan following on Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms has become crucial. For instance, Elvish Yadav—despite being a wild-card entrant—leveraged his massive fan following to win the trophy. Contestants like Munawar Faruqui, Abhishek Malhan (aka Fukra Insaan), Ankita Lokhande, Ayesha Khan, Vivian Dsena, and Isha Malviya also succeeded in rallying their fans to engage with the show.

In reality, the makers don’t just look for ‘controversial’ figures; they seek people who can deliver ‘content’.

It is important to understand this distinction. Not every controversial person makes a good Bigg Boss contestant, nor does every quiet person make a bad one. What the makers actually look for are strong personalities, conflict, a fan base, emotional resonance, and an inspiring story.

That is why Bigg Boss has featured highly controversial figures like Swami Om, while also seeing the rise in popularity of diverse personalities such as Sidharth Shukla, Asim Riaz, Munawar Faruqui, and Karanveer Mehra.

The Most Controversial Contestants in Bigg Boss History

Looking back at the entire history of Bigg Boss, there are certain names that turned controversy into a defining feature of the show.

1. Rakhi Sawant – The contestant who turned controversy into entertainment

Right from the very first season of Bigg Boss, Rakhi Sawant demonstrated how even a trivial matter could be transformed into a major television moment. Whether it was a dispute over a coffee mug or a clash with Kashmera Shah, Rakhi ensured her presence was constantly felt on camera. In subsequent seasons as well, she remained one of the most talked-about personalities and a recurring figure on the show.

2. Swami Om – When controversy spiralled out of control

Swami Om from Bigg Boss 10 is counted among the most controversial contestants in the show’s history. His statements and behavior frequently disrupted the atmosphere inside the house. During a task, he even threw urine at Bani J. The controversy surrounding him escalated to such an extent that, even after leaving the show, he continued to make statements targeting Bigg Boss and Salman Khan.

3. Zubair Khan – Clash with Salman Khan

Zubair Khan’s stint on Bigg Boss 11 was highly controversial. Salman Khan reprimanded him for his language and behavior inside the house. The conflict between Zubair and Salman intensified, and after exiting the show, Zubair even filed a complaint against the host.

4. Armaan Kohli – The face of aggression

Armaan Kohli is remembered as one of the controversial figures from earlier seasons of Bigg Boss. Anger, quarrels, and aggressive behavior marked his time on the show. The dispute between him and Sofia Hayat also garnered significant headlines outside the show.

5. Priyanka Jagga – A major controversy during ‘Weekend Ka Vaar’

Priyanka Jagga from Bigg Boss 10 was known for her outspoken and often highly controversial remarks. Her clash with Salman Khan escalated to the point where he declared that she would never be given work again after leaving the show.

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