The contentious reality show, Bigg Boss, is set to return with its third season in the OTT format, but Bollywood icon Salman Khan won’t be reprising his role as the host.
Reports from Hindustan Times and other sources suggest that the actor has opted out of the forthcoming season due to prior commitments to a film project.
Anil Kapoor To Take Over Hosting Duties From Salman Khan
Salman Khan, known for his stint as the host of Bigg Boss, will not be hosting the third season of the OTT version. Instead, actor Anil Kapoor is set to step into the hosting role for the upcoming season.
A source reveals, “Salman is currently immersed in preparations for his forthcoming film, Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss. This has led him to opt out of hosting Bigg Boss OTT’s third season.”
The insider further explains, “Salman’s filming commitments for Sikandar, scheduled to commence in June, have influenced his decision to forego hosting duties for Bigg Boss OTT. Additionally, he considered the potential monotony for the audience, having been a familiar face as the show’s host on television.”
Confirming the news, another source shares, “Anil Kapoor will bring his distinctive style and humor to the hosting role, infusing the show with his own quirks and trademark wit.”
Anil Kapoor to Bring “Jhakaas” Flavor as New Host of Bigg Boss OTT Season 3
The anticipation for Bigg Boss OTT’s third season has intensified as the makers drop hints about a major change in the hosting lineup. Recently, Jio Cinema teased fans with a promotional video on their official Instagram account, announcing the arrival of Bigg Boss OTT next month in June. The promo concludes with a voiceover declaring, “Yeh season hoga khaas ekdum jhakaas,” a term synonymous with the charismatic actor Anil Kapoor.
According to insiders, Anil Kapoor is thrilled to embark on the hosting journey and inject his unique style into the show. The decision to introduce a new host aligns with the contemporary trend of refreshing the hosting lineup with each season.
“Anil is excited to take on the hosting studies, and add his own touch to the show. The change of host also comes in sync with the trend of having a new host for every season,” says the source.
Evolution of Bigg Boss OTT: From Karan Johar to Salman Khan and Beyond
In recent developments, Endemol Shine India unveiled a vibrant graphic poster featuring Salman Khan, heralding the imminent arrival of the upcoming season. Accompanying the poster was a caption inviting followers to speculate on potential contestants: “Ready for the Entertainment & Drama? Comment below who YOU want to see SLAYINGG in the next season of #biggbossotts3.”
Interestingly, this announcement coincided with the actor’s heightened media attention following reports of gunshots fired outside his residence, Galaxy Apartments, located in Mumbai’s Bandra area on April 14th.
Bigg Boss OTT, a spin-off of the immensely popular Indian reality TV series Bigg Boss, offers a unique digital streaming experience. The inaugural season, streamed on Voot, was hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, while the second season saw Salman Khan stepping in as the host.
The debut season aired in 2021, culminating in Divya Agarwal emerging as the victorious contestant. Following its success, the show returned for a second season in 2023, where influencer Elvish Yadav clinched the winning title, with Abhishek Malhan securing the runner-up position.
As for the eagerly anticipated third season of Bigg Boss OTT, details regarding the premiere date are yet to be announced.
