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19 March 2024

'Bigg Boss 9' premiere: Salman Khan welcomes 14 contestants

Bollywood actor Salman Khan hosts the season 9 of Indian reality show 'Bigg Boss 9'. (Supplied)

Published
By Ajanta Paul
Controversial Indian reality show 'Bigg Boss season 9' has finally begun and here are highlights from the grand launch of the show with Salman Khan in tow...
 
Host of India's biggest reality show Salman opens the premiere night of 'Bigg Boss Season 9' with his arm-candies Daisy Shah and Elli Avram.
 
 
Looks like Salman is in trouble with the two divas even before launching the show themed as 'Bigg Boss 9 - Double Trouble'. Elli and Daisy grooves with Salman in style. 
 
The premiere night starts with Salman inside the new colourful house with actor Deepak Dobriyal.
 
Contestant #1: Digangana Suryavanshi
 
Actress Digangana Suryavanshi has been part of Indian television soap ‘Ek Veer Ki Ardaas’ playing the part of Veera.
 
The telly actress grooved on Sunny Leone’s 'Babydoll' number from the film 'Ragini MMS 2'.
 
 
Digangana is then given a choice to choose between Prince Narula and Roopal Tyagi as her partner. Digangana chooses Ropal over Prince coz she said she wanted to stay with genuine people.
 
Contestant #2: Roopal Tyagi 
 
 
Rupal Tyagi is an Indian choreographer and television actress. She is best known for playing the role of Gunjan in the Indian soap opera 'Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke' on Zee Tv. Roopal started her career as a choreographer in 2007.
 
A media panel comprising of eminent news anchors Shweta Singh, Saurabh Sharma and Dibang begin grilling the first couple of 'Bigg Boss 9 Double Trouble' i.e Digangana Suryavanshi and Roopal Tyagi.
 
 
Suyyash Rai and Kishwer Merchant entered the show with an amazing dance performance but Salman announces that they will not be a couple in the house.
 
Contestant #3, #4: Kishwer Merchant and Aman Verma
 
In a twist of fate, Aman Verma and Kishwer Merchant is the second couple of the show.
 
Aman Verma is the popular face of small screen industry. He didn’t just win hearts as as Anupam Kapadia in the then TV show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' but he has also been the well known host of the game show 'Khullja Sim Sim’ that was aired on Star Plus from 2001 to 2004. 
 
 
Kishwar Merchant has appeared in various Indian TV shows in the past. She is presently part of MTV India’s popular show 'Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan' as well as 'Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar' aired on Sony Entertainment Television. 
 
Kishwar rose to fame with the show 'Hip Hip Hurray' which aired on Zee TV in 1998.
 
 
Contestant #5, #6: Rimi Sen and Suyyash Rai 
 
With a lovely performance from 'Dhoom' Rimi Sen enters the show. We wonder where this actress has been!

Rimi Sen made an appearance opposite Aamir Khan in a Coca-Cola ad. She was instantly noticed and was offered a multi-starrer movie 'Hungama', a comedy flick that gained commercial success.

Rimi soon went on to land roles in some of biggest hits, ‘Dhoom', ‘Golmaal', 'Garam Masala' and more.

But soon after three flops in 2009, Rimi's career in Bollywood was visibly sinking and soon she was out of sight.

 
Suyyash Rai gained fame after taking part in the MTV India’s reality show ‘Splitsvilla’ season 2. 
 
His screen presence was loved by the audiences and very soon the young man made his acting debut in the TV show 'Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani' as Neil Khurana. 
 
And then he started to appear many other shows – 'Kya Hua Tera Vaada’, 'Kaisa Yeh Ishq Hai… Ajab Sa Risk Hai' and many more. 
 
 
Prince Narula is yet to be picked by any contestant as partner in the house. But host Salman seems to be by his side!
 
Contestant #7, #8: Yuvika Choudhary and Vikas Bhalla
 
Salman introduces Yuvika Choudhary as the next contestant, gives her a choice to choose between Prince Narula and Vikas Bhalla. 
 
 Vikas sings a lovely song for the actress and two enters the Bigg Boss house as a couple.
 
 
Yuvika was seen in movies like 'Om Shanti Om', 'Toh Baat Pakki' and 'Summer 2007’.
 
Yuvika participated in 'Zee Cine Stars Ki Khoj' in 2004. This led to an acting assignment for the popular TV serial 'Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani’. 
 
After appearing in commercials  for a Coke opposite Kunal Kapoor, director Farah Khan took notice of her and gave her a Bollywood break in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Om Shanti Om'. 
 
 
Vikas Bhalla is a television, film actor and singer, who is well known for his lead roles in the TV soaps, ‘Uttaran' airing on Colors, 'Shanno Ki Shaadi', which aired on STAR Plus and 'Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan' which aired on Zee TV. 
 
 
Rochelle Rao and Mandana Karimi perform on 'Yaar Na Miley' from ‘Kick'
 
Rochelle Rao and Mandana Karimi were both asked if they would like to enter the house with Prince. 
 
Both the beauties rejected the Roadies winner. Narula was then given a choice and he chooses to enter the house with Rochelle.
 
Finally Prince Narula gets to enter the Bigg Boss house.
 
Contestant #9, #10: Prince Narula and Rochelle Rao
 
 
From MTV India's reality show ‘Splitsvilla' to ‘Roadies' and now to 'Bigg Boss', Prince Narula’s journey has been quite eventful.
 
He has been a ‘Roadies' winner and hopes to last in the house till the very end.
 
Well, the 25 year old is much more than just good looks. He was since as a manupulative and cunniing contestant to win ‘Roadies' and 'Splitsvilla'.
 
 
Rochelle Rao is an Indian model and anchor. She was crowned Femina Miss India International in 2012.
 
She rose to fame while presenting a televised show called 'Extraaa Innings', a post match analysis of Indian Premier League 2013 – season 6 in April–May, 2013. 
 
Later she also participated in season 5 of 'Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi Darr Ka Blockbuster’. 
 
Contestant #11, #12: Mandana Karimi and Keith Sequeira
 
The 'foreign babe' element has been retained in 'Bigg Boss season 9’. This year we have Mandana Karimi as that special contestant.   

Born to an Iranian mother and Indian father Mandana was brought up in Tehran in Iran. 

She begun her career as an air hostess. Later she turned to modelling and had a successful stint in that profession. 

Karimi was recently seen opposite Kunal Kemmu in 'Bhaag Johnny' and will also be seen in 'Kya Kool Hain hum 3' with Tusshar Kapoor.

Keith Sequeira broke many hearts when he got into a relationship with Rochelle Maria Rao. Now the couple will be appearing together in 'Bigg Boss 9’ but with different partners. The two had declared their love on Facebook.

Keith started his modelling career with Raymond’s The Complete Man campaign.

When he entered the film industry it was assumed that being a Goan, he might not be able to speak Hindi. But, Keith shut doubters with his fluent Hindi in the movie ‘Sixteen’. 

The two final contestants on 'Bigg Bodd season 9' are Arvind Vegda and Ankit Gera.

Contestant #13: Ankit Gera: Ankit Gera made his debute on television with 'Mahi Way' and then 'Mann Ki Awaz Pratigya’. 

He is a big hit among TV audience thanks to his role of ‘Mayank’ in from popular serial 'Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke’.

The actor is the ex-flame of his co-star Roopal Tyagi, who is also a participant in Biogg Boss.

He was rumoured to be dating his co-actor Monica Sambhyaal, and then two-timing Roopal Tyagi.

Contestant #14: Arvind Vegda

Meet Arvind Vegda, who has become a sensation of sorts with the popular Gujarati number, ‘Bhai Bhai’. His debut music video album boasts of more than 2 lakh hits on YouTube already. 
 
Using his signature ‘Bhai Bhai’ tune, Vegda plans to act in the movie and communicate the message in his own style—satirical, conversational and funny, yet bold.

But before Bollywood Vegda is hoping to  create some drama in the 'Bigg Boss' house.

The ‘Bigg Boss 9' double trouble has begun as Bigg Boss' voice echoes inside the house and welcomes the inmates.

Each couple has been asked to choose one person whose bag would enter the house.

Salman Khan signs off in his signature style. Keep watching this space for all the latest 'Bigg Boss 9' updates.'