The third edition of Asianet’s reality TV show Bigg Boss Malayalam has hit the mini screen. The show follows select contestants who are isolated from the outside world for 105 days (or 15 weeks) in a custom-built house. The housemates are dictated by an omnipresent entity named Bigg Boss. Each week, one or more of the housemates are evicted by a public vote. Mollywood superstar Mohanlal, the host of the popular show, invited the new housemates with a bang in a grand launch on February 14. While the previous season went on air last year in January with 17 celebrity contestants, the actor introduced 14 contestants into the house for this year’s edition of the show.
The second edition of the show was a hit due to the outspoken and on occasion, controversial behaviour of the contestants. The season, however, ended abruptly following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. An outbreak of eye infection in the house in the previous season saw contestants Parikutty, Sujo Mathew, Alessandra Johnson, Rajith Kumar, Reshma Rajan, Raghu Subhash, Alina Padikkal, and Daya Ashwathy, leave the house for medical attention, although they did re-join the show once they recovered.
The much-awaited third season, which according to its tagline is bigger and better, is expected to bring surprises and new challenges. The participants for season 3 of the show were placed in mandatory two-week quarantine. They were allowed to enter the Bigg Boss house only after clearing the Covid test. Although the show was rumoured to have 18 contestants, only 14 have been introduced this time. They are Noby Marcose, Dimple Bhal, RJ Firoz, Manikuttan, Majiziya Bhanu, Soorya J Menon, A Lekshmi Jayan, Sai Vishnu R, Adoney T John, Anoop Krishnan, Muhammed Ramzan, Rithu Manthra, Sandhya Manoj and Bhagyalakshmi.
Meet the contestants:
A comedian and actor, Noby, who starred in movies such as Angry Babies in Love, College Days and Pulimurugan, entered the limelight when his team ‘VIP’ won the title in the TV show Comedy Stars.
TV actor, director and anchor Anoop Krishnan became a household name for his role as Kalyan in the TV series Seetha Kalyanam. He has acted in films such as Praise the Lord, Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum and Ennaalum Sarath…?
A versatile singer, musician and mimic, Lekshmi was a contestant in Star Singer and Indian Idol. She has demonstrated her mimicry skills in Comedy Utsavam. Popular on social media for her unplugged rendition of popular movie songs, she sang a devotional album song for music director Jassie Gift, recently.
An athlete, Majiziya is a powerlifting champion and fitness model. She has won a silver medal in Asian Powerlifting Championship and made headlines after winning gold medals in the powerlifting world cup and world deadlift championship for two consecutive years.
A psychologist, entrepreneur, fashion enthusiast, stylist, and cancer survivor, Dimple Bahl is active on social media platforms and has more than 12,000 followers on Instagram. She is half Keralite.
Rithu, who competed in the 2018 Miss India pageant, won the Miss Talented South. Her cover versions of popular songs have garnered attention on social media. She has starred in films such as Kumbarees, Uyare, Port, Role Models, and Operation Java.
The winner of season one of dance reality show D4 Dance, Ramzan worked in movies like Ee Pattanathil Bhootham, Doctor Love, Three Kings, Ee Adutha Kaalath, and Mayapuri. He is the youngest contestant in Bigg Boss
Thomas James, better known by his stage name Manikuttan, made his acting debut in the television series Kayamkulam Kochunni. His first film appearance was in Vinayan’s Boyy Friennd.
A social media influencer and RJ, Firoz began his career as a TV producer and host. The radio jockey holds the world record for nonstop RJing for 105 hours. He has acted in films such as Parole and Panchavarnathatha and has directed short films 69 and Kallu.
Soorya entered the spotlight when her recent photoshoots caught her seeming resemblance to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Said to be the first Malayali woman to become a disc jockey, she has starred in Mohanlal’s Kandahar.
The 26-year-old is a model and Video Jockey. He dreams of becoming an actor and according to reports, the sole purpose of him joining the show is to achieve this goal.
A Malaysian-based Odissi dancer, Sandhya is a familiar face at the Soorya Festival. A yoga exponent, she has gained notice for infusing yoga to dance.
A student of political studies, Adoney is currently pursuing his PhD on Europe’s political crisis. A social activist, he is vocal about political issues.
Last but not the least, Bhagyalakshmi, a veteran dubbing artiste, has dubbed for over 4,000 Malayalam movies. An activist, she made headlines for assaulting a YouTuber, who allegedly made derogatory remarks against women on social media.
