Bigg Boss is the most popular reality show in India. The only one, which even after 12 years, makes the audience tune in daily. The controversial show is all set to return with its 11th season on October 1. New season, new concept, new house and new contestants. Host Salman Khan has said that this show can breathe new life into the careers of the contestants. But how true does that stand? Many winners disappeared after the show’s run. But just because not all the winners have been able to make it big after the show, doesn’t mean no one did. In fact, there are a bunch of contestants, who aced the game and then got even more popular once they made an exit, teaching all how to play, in the process. Here, we look at contestants who benefited the most from taking part in Bigg Boss.
Sunny Leone
Of course, number one has to be Sunny Leone. While she didn’t need any introduction even before she entered Bigg Boss, thanks to her career in the adult entertainment industry, it was only because of Bigg Boss that she became a household name and thus a Bollywood actress. Famous filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, personally visited her inside the house to offer her Jism 2, after being impressed by her beauty and personality. Today, not only has she been able to transform her image completely but has many hits to her credit, including a song with Shah Rukh Khan. ALSO READ: Bigg Boss 11: EXCLUSIVE! Hiten Tejwani to be a contestant on the Salman Khan show
Gautam Gulati
Bad boy Gautam won hearts of the audience. It was probably the first time that the world was siding with the bad guy. Maybe because they could see the innocence behind those naughty eyes, or the fact that he was constantly targeted by everyone else, or his positive attitude or perhaps it was simply his uber good looks. But the man gained immense popularity that helped him even after the show. He even bagged an opportunity to host a show with MTV. A small role in a Bollywood movie also followed. Today, he is already shooting for a few movie projects, that he has yet not officially announced.
Manveer Gurjar
The first common man to win the otherwise celebrity-based reality show, Manveer Gurjar became a superstar overnight. Fans turned up in thousands to support him, when he stepped out of the house for a task. He went on to participate in Khatron Ke Khiladi after that. And since this was just last year, we are sure there is a lot that Manveer will deliver in the coming time.
Rakhi Sawant
Controversy queen, Rakhi, was only known for some minor roles and a couple of item songs. Bigg Boss season 1 made her a household name and also everyone’s favourite. Fans loved her bold and bindaas attitude. She went on to star in many hit songs like Dekhta Hai Tu Kya and Bichua, with established production houses. She later participated in many reality shows including Nach Baliye and Yeh Hai Jalwa, which she won. She had shows dedicated to herself too, including Rakhi Ka Insaf, Rakhi Ka Swyamvar and Ghazab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaaniyan. Most importantly, she continues to be a relevant name even today, after 12 years of her participation on the show.
Monica Bedi
While her success might be lesser than everyone else on this list, the way she turned her life around after her stint on the show, sure makes her the best of the lot. This ex-girlfriend of an underworld don, Monica had trouble even getting a decent house in the city, due to her past. After Bigg Boss, love poured in for her from all directions. She got a house for herself. She starred in a few more reality shows like Dil Jeetegi Desi Girl and went on to be a part of hit fictional shows like Bandhan and the critically-acclaimed Saraswatichandra. She has since also been starring in small roles in regional movies.
Who is YOUR favourite of these?