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The latest season of Bigg Boss, Bigg Boss 19, has premiered with Salman Khan returning as the host. The premiere episode was noticeably shorter than previous seasons, wrapping up in under two hours, which was a relief for those working on a Sunday. Sixteen contestants were introduced and welcomed by Salman Khan, who engaged in his characteristic banter and playful teasing, while also warning them about the challenges ahead. The contestants also had the opportunity to showcase themselves on stage, attempting to make a positive first impression, although some efforts appeared somewhat forced. The episode began with a high-tech sequence featuring Salman Khan, or possibly a stunt double, riding a racing bike, followed by a drone light show that illuminated the Bigg Boss eye symbol. However, the visual effects were not particularly impressive, which may have disappointed some viewers. Salman Khan then interacted with Bigg Boss to explain the season's theme, which centers on democracy or Loktantra. The show will emphasize contestants resolving their own conflicts without Bigg Boss's intervention. Salman Khan jokingly referred to Bigg Boss as generous for providing the housemates with free accommodation and luxurious amenities. Animation was used to provide a glimpse of the house, designed as a cabin in the woods by Omung Kumar. The host mentioned that the show would last three to four months, and contestant Zeeshan Quadri also mentioned surviving for 106 days, which contradicts rumors of a longer season lasting around 25 weeks. Despite the typical 15-week duration, the casting for this season seems more diverse, with contestants from various backgrounds rather than primarily TV actors, which was common in previous seasons. The contestants include Bhojpuri actor Neelam Giri, known for her popular videos, comedian Pranit More, Polish actor Natalia Janoszek, who speaks broken Hindi, and peace activist Farrhana Bhatt, who intends to be the show's villain. Ashnoor Kaur, a popular television actress, was the first to enter the house, receiving a traditional welcome. Zeeshan Quadri, known as 'Definite' from 'Gangs of Wasseypur', followed, appearing nervous despite trying to project confidence. Next was 'spiritual influencer' Tanya Mittal, who seemed surprisingly concerned with materialistic things despite her spiritual background. A Meesho version of Shah Rukh Khan introduced content creator couple Awez Darbar and Nagma Mirajkar, who discussed their relationship issues, reminiscent of Abhinav Shukla and Rubina Dilaik from BB14, suggesting their problems might lead to marriage by the show's end. Nehal Chudasama and Abhishek Bajaj were selected seemingly for their looks, but they came across as unintelligent. Baseer Ali and his 'alternate personality' Bob show promise. Gaurav Khanna was chosen to represent the ideal TV character, entering to a song popularized by Sidharth Shukla. He was called the ambassador of 'green flag' by Salman Khan, but his color blindness surprised the host. Natalia Janoszek impressed everyone by singing Salman Khan's "Main Hoon Hero Tera" in accented Hindi. Pranit More's jokes about Veer Pahariya led to his entry into Bigg Boss, and Salman seemed to appreciate his earnestness. Farrhana Bhatt entered the show as a strong-headed Kashmiri woman who has faced difficulties and threats for her involvement in cinema. Neelam Giri, similar to Manisha Rani, was followed by actor Kunickaa Sadanand, who had previously worked with Salman in films and later pursued law. Salman appeared comfortable interacting with his long-time friend. However, jokes about her receiving messages from young men and the host asking Pranit to dance in a lehenga to get views are problematic and inappropriate for national television. YouTuber Mridul Tiwari, a friend of Elvish Yadav, entered Bigg Boss 19, beating Shehnaaz Gill's brother, Shehbaz Badeshah, who may also join later. Mridul was seen interacting with Natalia, hinting at a potential romantic storyline. Amaal Malik was the final contestant to enter, and Salman Khan expressed surprise at his participation. Salman acknowledged their long-standing relationship but assured that he would not be biased. They briefly discussed Amaal's social media post about separating from his family, with Amaal describing himself as slightly lost and seeking self-discovery through the show. Overall, the premiere episode was entertaining, primarily because of its brevity and careful editing. The diverse cast is a departure from previous seasons, creating intrigue and curiosity as viewers watch them 24/7. Salman Khan appears fresh and energetic after his weight loss and fitness regime for 'Battle of Galwan'. His humor was also sharp, with fewer predictable jokes. The episode was reportedly shot quickly. Salman's approaching 60th birthday may mark a new era for him, which would please fans and director AR Murugadoss.
Source: Salman Khan's Bigg Boss 19 premiere: TV faces lose dominance in race for democracy