Superstar Salman Khan has returned to television with Bigg Boss 19. The new season premieres tonight, August 24, on JioHotstar before a delayed telecast on Colors. For the first time, the show embraces an OTT-first approach. Bigg Boss has ruled primetime television for nearly two decades. It has also delivered huge revenue to Endemol, the company behind it. Over the years, Salman Khan became the highest-paid television personality. In past seasons, he earned over ₹200 crore. This year, however, Salman Khan fees for Bigg Boss 19 reflect a surprising pay cut. He will host the show for only 15 weeks and hand over duties later.
Salman Khan’s Reduced Salary This Season
According to industry reports, Salman Khan is charging ₹10 crore per weekend for hosting duties this year. He will host for 15 weeks, which adds up to ₹150 crore in total earnings. This marks a significant drop from his previous fees. For Bigg Boss 18, he earned ₹250 crore. In Bigg Boss 17, his paycheck stood at around ₹200 crore. The reduced figure this time links directly to his shortened hosting duration.
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Why Salman Khan Took A Pay Cut
Salman Khan will not host Bigg Boss 19 for the full season. Reports suggest that he will step away after 15 weeks. After that, guest hosts will take over the show. Filmmakers Farah Khan and Karan Johar are the frontrunners. Both have stepped in for Salman during earlier editions. The trimmed hosting schedule directly resulted in the reduced salary. If Salman had hosted the entire season, his earnings would have matched or surpassed the previous record.
Bigg Boss 19 Brings New Twist
Bigg Boss 19 comes with a politics-inspired theme. Promos suggest that public opinion will influence the way the game unfolds. This interactive twist aims to add more unpredictability to the format. Salman Khan shot the promos on Friday, offering fans the first look at the redesigned Bigg Boss house. The season will feature 18 contestants, although their identities remain undisclosed for now. The launch on JioHotstar marks a new digital-first strategy that signals a shift in how the show engages audiences.
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Bigg Boss 19 begins tonight with Salman Khan at the helm, even if only for 15 weeks. Fans will watch not only the contestants but also how the new format and pay structure change the dynamics of India’s biggest reality show.
