Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Bigg Boss 20 Lineup Draws Criticism From Former Contestants
Bigg Boss 20 started on September 6 with Salman Khan as its host.
The show’s theme is “Tathastu,” which means “so be it.”
Contestants may reportedly get two chances to stay in the house.
The season includes people such as Kanika Mann, Mary Kom and several digital creators.
Some viewers felt they did not know many of the contestants.
Former contestants Asim Riaz and Rajiv Adatia also criticized the lineup.
Asim called it a possible flop season, then deleted his post.
Rajiv said he wished the show had better-known contestants, and his post later disappeared.
Bigg Boss 20 premiered on September 6 with Salman Khan returning as host.
The season uses the theme “Tathastu,” reportedly giving contestants two chances to survive in the house.
The lineup includes Kanika Mann, Aasif Khan, Mary Kom, Isha Rikhi and other personalities from entertainment, sports and digital media.
Asim Riaz called the season “another flop season loading” in a post he later deleted.
Rajiv Adatia said he mainly knew Kanika Mann and Mary Kom and wished for a better contestant lineup; his post later became unavailable.
- Who
- Bigg Boss 20 contestants, host Salman Khan, and former contestants Asim Riaz and Rajiv Adatia are involved.
- What
- The season premiered amid criticism from viewers and former contestants about the familiarity of its lineup.
- When
- The premiere took place on September 6; the former contestants’ reactions followed the opening episode.
- Where
- The reactions were shared on social media, while the season takes place on Bigg Boss’s reality-show set.
- Why
- Critics said they were unfamiliar with many of the contestants and wanted a stronger lineup.
Critics of the lineup
Show and contestant perspective
Familiarity of contestants
Critics of the lineup
Asim Riaz, Rajiv Adatia and some viewers criticized the lineup, saying many contestants were not familiar enough and wishing for better-known participants.
Show and contestant perspective
Bigg Boss 20 proceeded with a lineup including Kanika Mann, Mary Kom and several personalities from entertainment, sports and digital media.
Reaction to the opening episode
Critics of the lineup
Asim described the season as a possible flop, while Rajiv said he wished there were better contestants.
Show and contestant perspective
The season premiered with Salman Khan as host and introduced the “Tathastu” theme, reportedly offering contestants two chances to survive.
- Show
- Bigg Boss 20
- Premiere
- September 6
- Host
- Salman Khan
- Theme
- “Tathastu,” meaning “so be it”
- Reported format twist
- Contestants may receive two chances to survive in the house
- Former contestant reaction
- Asim Riaz called it “another flop season loading”
- Lineup criticism
- Rajiv Adatia said he mainly knew Kanika Mann and Mary Kom