Bigg Boss Kannada Season 5 aired in 2017 and became one of the most exciting and talked-about seasons in the history of the Kannada-language reality television series. The show aired on Colors Kannada and was hosted once again by the immensely popular actor Kiccha Sudeep, who had been the face of the franchise since its inception. Season 5 introduced several changes that made it stand out from previous seasons, particularly the inclusion of commoners alongside celebrities, a dynamic that had a major impact on the overall tone and progression of the game.
Key Details of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 5
Host:
- Kiccha Sudeep returned as the host for the fifth consecutive season. Sudeep’s interaction with the housemates was always a highlight of the show. His impartiality, insightful comments, and ability to address conflicts in the house made him a respected figure both inside and outside the house. He brought his signature wit and charm to the weekend episodes, where he reviewed the week’s events, offered guidance to contestants, and announced eliminations.
Broadcast:
- The show premiered on October 15, 2017, and ran until January 28, 2018, making it a 106-day season. The daily episodes aired on Colors Kannada in prime time, while the weekend episodes, featuring eliminations and interactions with Sudeep, were eagerly awaited by viewers.
- Season 5 was also streamed online on Voot, which allowed fans to watch the show 24/7 and stay updated on live happenings inside the house, creating more viewer engagement than in previous seasons.
House Location:
- Like the previous seasons, the Bigg Boss Kannada house was located in Innovative Film City, Bidadi, Karnataka. The house was luxuriously designed with a mix of traditional and modern aesthetics, vibrant interiors, and a spacious garden area. It was equipped with all the facilities needed for the contestants, but the lack of contact with the outside world and constant surveillance from the cameras made it a high-pressure environment.
Format:
The basic format of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 5 followed the traditional Bigg Boss structure:
- Housemates: A group of contestants, including both celebrities and commoners, lived together in isolation for more than 100 days. They were cut off from the outside world and had to survive without any modern communication tools like phones or the internet. The contestants had to complete tasks, face nominations, and deal with personal conflicts while being constantly filmed by the cameras.
- Tasks: The housemates were assigned a variety of tasks that tested their physical, mental, and emotional endurance. These tasks often affected the luxury budget for the week, and some tasks could also impact nominations or lead to rewards or punishments.
- Nominations and Evictions: Every week, housemates nominated each other for eviction. The contestants with the highest number of nominations faced public voting, and the contestant with the fewest votes was evicted from the house during the weekend episode. These evictions were announced by Sudeep.
- Diary Room: Contestants regularly visited the diary room to speak privately with Bigg Boss, where they could express their thoughts, frustrations, or strategies without the presence of other housemates.
Contestants:
Season 5 had a mix of 18 housemates, including celebrities and commoners, a first for Bigg Boss Kannada. The inclusion of non-celebrity participants added a new layer of unpredictability and excitement to the game, as it brought in fresh perspectives and created a different type of competition.
Some of the notable contestants included:
- Diwakar – A commoner, Diwakar entered the house as a relatively unknown figure but quickly became one of the strongest contenders. His journey was marked by perseverance and sincerity, which endeared him to the audience.
- Chandan Shetty – A well-known rapper and music director, Chandan brought star power to the house. He was known for his calm demeanor and tactical approach to the game.
- Niveditha Gowda – A social media influencer, Niveditha became popular before entering the show for her viral videos. Inside the house, she was known for her innocence and soft-spoken nature.
- Anupama Gowda – An actress and TV personality, Anupama brought her strong personality and competitive spirit to the show. She was involved in several confrontations and became a central figure in house politics.
- Karthik Jayaram (JK) – A television actor, Karthik entered the house as one of the most popular celebrities and was considered a strong contender from the beginning. His leadership and ability to stay composed under pressure made him a favorite for much of the season.
- Sameer Acharya – A priest and commoner contestant, Sameer brought a spiritual element to the house but was also involved in several controversial moments.
- Krishi Thapanda – An actress and model, Krishi was known for her glamorous image and was involved in several friendships and rivalries during her time in the house.
Other contestants included:
- Ashitha Chandrappa – An actress who was known for her emotional outbursts and connections with fellow housemates.
- Jayasrinivasan – A snake expert and conservationist, who became popular for his calm and philosophical outlook.
Key Highlights of the Season:
1. Chandan Shetty’s Victory:
- Chandan Shetty was crowned the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 5, taking home the ₹50 lakh cash prize. Throughout the season, Chandan maintained a low-profile but was seen as a smart and strategic player. His ability to form alliances without being overly aggressive, combined with his popularity outside the house due to his career as a rapper, helped him secure a significant number of votes.
- Chandan’s win was celebrated by fans, and his journey inside the house was marked by patience, resilience, and diplomacy, which helped him navigate the many conflicts and tasks.
2. Diwakar as Runner-up:
- Diwakar, the underdog of the season, ended up as the first runner-up. As a commoner, Diwakar’s journey from obscurity to becoming one of the most loved contestants of the season was remarkable. His emotional and hardworking nature, coupled with his candid personality, won him a massive fan following. Many viewers believed Diwakar’s straightforward approach made him the heart of the season.
- Although he didn’t win the title, Diwakar’s journey was widely appreciated, and he left the show as one of the most popular contestants.
3. Commoners vs. Celebrities:
- The inclusion of commoners in Season 5 added a new dynamic to the competition. Unlike the celebrity contestants, who had an established fan base outside the house, the commoners had to build their following purely through their behavior inside the house. This led to frequent discussions and clashes over the perceived advantages or disadvantages between the two groups.
- The show highlighted the different approaches to the game taken by celebrities and commoners, with celebrities often being more cautious in their strategies, while commoners were more emotional and open in their gameplay. However, both groups managed to form alliances and break barriers over time, with commoners like Diwakar and Sameer making it to the final stages of the competition.
4. Romantic Subplots:
- One of the most talked-about aspects of the season was the developing relationship between Chandan Shetty and Niveditha Gowda. Although they started as just friends, their bond grew stronger as the show progressed, and viewers speculated about a romantic connection between the two. Their camaraderie was appreciated by fans, and both maintained that they had genuine feelings for each other, which were eventually confirmed after the show ended.
- While the relationship did not dominate the entire season, it certainly added an extra element of intrigue and was widely discussed on social media platforms.
5. Tense Rivalries:
- Season 5 had its fair share of rivalries, with Anupama Gowda and Diwakar often locking horns. Anupama’s outspoken nature and Diwakar’s strong opinions led to frequent clashes, making them two of the most dominant figures inside the house. Their rivalry kept the house and viewers on edge, adding to the overall drama of the season.
- Another rivalry that stood out was between Karthik Jayaram (JK) and Chandan Shetty. Both were seen as strong contenders, and although they didn’t engage in overt conflict, their silent competition for the title was palpable throughout the season.
6. Tasks and Challenges:
- The tasks in Season 5 were particularly grueling, testing both the mental and physical limits of the contestants. From endurance tasks to team-based challenges, the housemates had to prove their mettle week after week.
- Some of the standout tasks included one where housemates were locked in a small box for hours to test their patience and another where they had to solve intricate puzzles under time constraints. These tasks often led to tensions and disagreements but also gave contestants the opportunity to showcase their leadership skills and endurance.
7. Wildcard Entrants:
- The season featured wildcard entries, including popular faces from the Kannada entertainment industry. Sihi Kahi Chandru, a veteran actor, entered the house as a wildcard contestant and immediately made an impact with his experience and wisdom. While wildcard contestants traditionally shake up the dynamics of the house, they also face challenges in catching up with the relationships and tensions already in place.
