Bigg Boss 19: Salman Khan to Reportedly Charge Rs 150 Cr as Host; 20 Celebrity Contestants and More Scoop!

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is all set to make his much-anticipated return as the host of Bigg Boss 19, which is scheduled to premiere on August 30, 2025, exclusively on JioCinema/Hotstar. The show will be available on the OTT platform first and will air on television with a 90-minute delay, making this season more accessible to digital audiences before hitting TV screens.

Big Boss Season 19: Salman Khan Returns as Host, Commands Massive Fee

According to industry reports, Salman Khan will be hosting Bigg Boss 19 for the initial three months of the season. His fee for this stint is reportedly between Rs 120 crore to Rs 150 crore, which breaks down to roughly Rs 8-10 crore per weekend.

This is a substantial increase from his hosting fee for Bigg Boss OTT 2, where he was paid around Rs 96 crore. However, it remains lower than the Rs 200-250 crore he earned for previous main-season television editions like Bigg Boss 17 and 18.

Unlike the earlier seasons that were broadcast solely on television, Bigg Boss 19 is being positioned as an OTT-first format, and it will operate on a comparatively leaner production budget. After Salman completes his initial hosting run, other prominent Bollywood and entertainment figures such as Farah Khan, Karan Johar, and Anil Kapoor are expected to step in to carry the show forward.

Big Boss 19 Promo Shot and Theme

The promo for Bigg Boss 19 was reportedly shot on July 21 and features a political theme to kick off the new season. This year's concept is titled "Rewind," suggesting a nostalgic format where iconic elements from previous seasons will be reintroduced. Although exact details have not been confirmed, viewers can expect a walk down memory lane, possibly bringing back beloved tasks, house designs, or twists that defined past seasons.

Contestants: Who's Likely to Enter the Bigg Boss House?

While the final list of contestants remains under wraps, there's been a buzz around several celebrity names being approached for this season. Up to 20 participants are expected to be part of the show. Rumoured names include Gautami Kapoor, Gaurav Taneja, Mr Faisu, Dhanashree Verma, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Alisha Panwar, Khushi Dubey, Apoorva Mukhija, Purav Jha, Gaurav Khanna, Sriram Chandra, Arshifa Khan and Mickey Makeover.

The makers are expected to reveal the final list closer to the premiere date to maintain suspense and viewer engagement.

Bigg Boss 19 Format: New Twists, Audience Power, Secret Room Returns

This season promises exciting new twists in the show's structure and format. The Secret Room, a popular feature from earlier editions, is making a comeback. In a major shift in the nomination process, the audience-not the housemates-will select the nominees for eviction. Contestants will then have to battle it out to save themselves, adding a new layer of strategy and unpredictability.