Join Us
The grand premiere of Bigg Boss 20 is finally done, and I am disappointed! Not that I had any expectations from this show in the first place, but I am still disappointed with the lowest of the expectations I had from the grand premiere! Coming with a new TathasTwo (So Be It) theme, the promise of a game-changing Vardan – basically a lifeline twist, and a fantasy-adventure house, the launch night had all the visual hallmarks of a grand spectacle.
Yet, as the grand launch wrapped up, a heavy sense of fatigue set in. Salman Khan welcomed 16 new contestants onto the stage, but I feel too exhausted to watch them already—and it begs the ultimate question: Is it them, or is it me? Have I simply grown too paleolithic for this formula, or has the show finally run out of fresh ideas after two decades?
Salman Khan: The Solitary Saving Grace
Let me get one thing straight – Salman Khan remains the undisputed king of Indian television hosting. Arriving in a stylish cowboy avatar, dancing to his classic hits, and dropping dry, effortless one-liners, he is the glue holding this dilapidating pack of cards together!
Trending
Watching the superstar host navigate awkward contestant interactions like giving relationship advice to Isha Rikhi or exchanging banter with Roadies veteran Gullu (Kushal Tanwar) is pure gold. He delivers his TathasTwo blessings with the ease of a man who has seen every possible human conflict inside that house. But even Salman Khan’s immense aura can only carry a premiere episode so far when the incoming housemates fail to match his frequency.
A Very Low-Key Lineup
Not meaning to offend anyone on the show, this season’s lineup looks very bland and low-key! The biggest and the known stars on this panel probably are Mary Kom, for the millennials, and Mahhi Vij, for today’s Bigg Boss audience, since they know Jai Bhanushali from Bigg Boss already! Amrapali Dubey, despite the narrowed bracket, is the biggest superstar of this lot, undoubtedly! I am not sure how, but Arifsha and Scout OP seem to be digital stars, if something like that exists!
The only real person I could see in this entire lot was actor Aasif Khan, our Jijaji from Panchayat! Now, let me be honest, the fundamental issue isn’t the resume of these contestants; it is the instant artificiality. Within ten minutes of stepping into the house, we were subjected to manufactured squabbles over bed allocations, most notably Qazi Tauqeer locking horns with Mary Kom over a bed. Instead of organic sparks, the contestants came in rehearsed from previous seasons. Rather than feeling like a fresh chapter, it felt like watching an automated replay of past controversies.
The TathasTwo Twist: Gimmick Or Game-Changer?
The producers have introduced the TathasTwo concept featuring a Vardan twist – a lifeline where nominated housemates don’t necessarily leave, as they can be saved by housemates or viewers via a secondary lifeline. While it sounds intriguing on paper, reality TV history tells us that extra lifelines often serve as safety nets to protect high-profile contestants from early eliminations, diluting the genuine stakes of the show. Also, everyone has two chances to survive looks lame since it would only add more days to the show, probably!
Last Take: A Very Thanda Start!
If you are a die-hard Bigg Boss fan who lives for day-one squabbles, loud declarations, and influencer wars, Bigg Boss 20 has enough fireworks to keep your timeline busy. But for those looking for genuine personality studies, organic humor, or a truly revamped format, the premiere feels like a loud, exhausting marathon.
Salman Khan is as sharp as ever, but unless these 16 contestants drop their calculated personas and bring authentic vulnerability to the game, this landmark 20th season risks becoming one of the weakest seasons!
Advertisement
For more stories from Television & Web, stay tuned to Koimoi.
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google News
