The seventh season of the highly anticipated reality-drama series Bigg Boss finally aired last night, and opened to a billion viewers glued to their screens across the country.
The shot opened to a dual graphic screen – the left side showed the reaper, leaving no doubt that way led to hell; the right side showed an angel suspended mid-air, leading the way to heaven. Enough said about the graphics.
The viewer then go to the see the stage, which was created to complement the opening graphics and the overall theme of this year’s ‘Bigg Boss’ – Heaven and Hell. Though a lot smaller than the last season’s, the stage this time managed to be big enough for Salman Khan’s ‘Dabangg’ entry.
The superstar showed his hellish side after walking through staged flames. and pausing to say the famous lines – “Hum tum mein itne ched karenge, ki confuse ho jaoge ke …” from the mega-hit ‘Dabangg’.
Sitting behind a mirror, the camera moved one side to show his angelic side and on the other, a darker version. The set-up was replete with dancing ‘angels’ from Hell and Heaven, flames, stars, and whathaveyou.
The opening episode, as always, had the viewers eager to know who the 15 contestants willing to stay in the Bigg Boss house for 104 days under 74 cameras, were. In case you missed it on television, it’s all here.
Tanishaa Mukerji: After her own opening performance amongst dressy dancers and suspension cables, entered Tanishaa Mukerji, Kajol’s sister and daughter of noted actors Shomu and Tanuja Mukherjee. After a barely there Bollywood career, Tanishaa entered Bigg Boss after reportedly having many-a-discussions with her star ‘parivaar’. Facebookers are calling this her ‘last chance’. Hmm..
VJ Andy: After a successful stint on Channel V’s ‘Dare to Date, VJ Andy is back to thrill. Wit, humour and sarcasm with expressions galore is how he plans to entertain. Salman Khan in, fact commented that he may be here replacing last season’s Imam Siddique. Fans on Facebook seems to agree too with comments like “he’s so funny like Imam”, “Imam part 2”, and one person even ‘hoping’ he won’t repeat what Imam did.
Andy along with Tanishaa were made to pair for what Salman called ‘JJ’, short for ‘Jallad Jodi’. Their task – to choose who goes to hell’s side or heaven’s, in the Bigg Boss house. Hell’s side had Indian style toilets and other such amenities from an age when technology was missing, while heaven’s side was the exact opposite.
Pratyusha Banerjee: Pratyusha’s claim to fame was playing the role of ‘Anandi’ in the daily soap ‘Balika Vadhu’. She later quit the show which was reason for a lot of controversy.
Gauhar Khan: With her own reality TV show on UTV Bindaas called ‘Khan Sisters’, and an item song ‘Jhalla Walla’ in ‘Ishaqzaade’, it was hard to not see the fiesty wannabe actress in the Bigg Boss house.
Apurva and Shilpa Agnihotri: This TV star couple went underground for quite a while only to emerge on-screen last evening. They were in the news recently for allegedly havign tested positive for drugs at a rave party.
Kamya Punjabi: Kamya has played the roles of popular vamps on television including OK’s ‘Do Dil Ek Jaan’, which she quit to come to Bigg Boss.
Hazel Keech: Hazel was last spotted in Salman’s and Kareena’s ‘Bodyguard’. Salman was spotted pulling her leg suggesting she was overweight and in quite a bit of need to learn Hindi.
Rajat Rawail: Rajat’s acquaintance with Salman guaranteed him a spot on the show. He apparently produced Salman’s film ‘Ready’ and was, in fact, even a part of ‘Bodyguard’.
Ratan Rajput: Ratan starred in the hit soap ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’ and was also spotted on Swayamvar’s Season three where she chose a partner, but didn’t marry.
Kushal Tandon: Kushal was seen on Nach Baliye 5 with his girlfriend Elena Boev. The couple has reportedly quit the relationship. Kushal also starred in ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai’.
Elli Avram: This Swede is new to Bollywood and her first movie includes Mickey Virus, opposite Manish Paul slated for release soon.
Sangram Singh: A familiar face, this Haryana-bred body builder jatt is Payal Rohatgi’s live-in boyfriend, and has worked in Bigg Toss, Survivor India, and Sach Ka Saamna.
Armaan Kohli: Armaan stands out for his role in ‘Jaani Dushman – Ek Anokhi Kahaaani’, which didn’t lead him to steady acting career.
Anita Advani: Her claim to fame? She was Rajesh Khanna’s live-in partner, for many years. She was in the news not only for her association to the legendary actor but also after she was refused any settlement money by Dimple Kapadia, who married Rajesh Khanna in ’73.
There are reports of even Manisha Koirala joining the Bigg Boss house. This might be a refreshing change for the actress who recently battled cancer and survived.
Did we mention that Akshay Kumar also managed to stop by and promote his similar sounding movie ‘Boss’. He did, and even danced and sang a song from his movie. The singing won’t be missed but he sure did light up the stage.
Do we really think Andy is the next Imam? Or is it just the similarity in dressing and an outgoing personality? Will Apurva and Shilpa Agnihotri be able to last long in the house after staying on different sides? Will Gauhar Khan end up fighting with Shilpa considering one’s fiesty and the other thinks she’s cat’s whiskers? Will Tanishaa or for that matter Andy give the Bigg boss house it’s first TRP-laden fight? Will Ratan only make it to the sidelines or there more to her petite frame?
What are your predictions for the next epidose? Are you happy with the contestants? Let us know.