Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 was one of the most thrilling and challenging seasons of the Kannada-language adaptation of the global reality TV phenomenon. Airing in 2021, the season was unique due to its two-part structure, as it had to pause mid-way due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Season 8 continued to attract millions of viewers and remained a fan favorite. Hosted by the charismatic Kiccha Sudeep, who had become synonymous with Bigg Boss Kannada, the season maintained its tradition of high-voltage drama, emotional moments, and intense competition.
Key Details of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8
Host:
- Kiccha Sudeep, the veteran actor and much-loved personality, returned to host Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 for the eighth consecutive year. His authoritative, empathetic, and humorous approach to hosting remained a key highlight of the show. Sudeep was instrumental in giving feedback to contestants, guiding them with his wisdom, and handling tense situations with grace. His weekend episodes, popularly known as “Varada Kathe Kiccha Jothe,” were highly anticipated by viewers, as they featured interactions, eliminations, and insightful discussions on the week’s events.
Broadcast and Structure:
- Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 premiered on February 28, 2021, on Colors Kannada and also streamed on the OTT platform Voot, offering viewers a seamless digital experience. However, the season was divided into two distinct phases. Midway through the show, on May 8, 2021, the broadcast had to be halted due to the rising COVID-19 cases and subsequent lockdown in Karnataka. This was an unprecedented move for the Bigg Boss franchise.
- After a two-month break, the show resumed on June 23, 2021, marking the beginning of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 – Part 2. The housemates who were evicted before the show was paused did not return, while the remaining contestants continued their journey.
House Location:
- The Bigg Boss house for Season 8 was located, as usual, in Innovative Film City, Bidadi, Karnataka. The house was elegantly designed, featuring vibrant interiors and a spacious garden area, complete with a swimming pool, gym, and well-equipped kitchen. The house, while luxurious in appearance, lacked all outside communication, cutting off contestants from the external world. Cameras captured every move, creating a high-pressure environment for the housemates.
Format:
The format of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 was consistent with the global Bigg Boss structure. Contestants, isolated from the outside world, lived together in the house, where they had to compete in tasks, nominations, and face evictions.
- Housemates: The show featured a total of 17 contestants at the start, including actors, musicians, and social media influencers. They had to live together, form relationships, manage conflicts, and compete in tasks while being constantly watched by cameras.
- Tasks: Every week, the housemates participated in tasks that tested their physical and mental endurance. Tasks were designed to bring out competitive spirits, test leadership, and encourage teamwork. Some tasks determined house captaincy, while others influenced nominations for eviction.
- Nominations and Evictions: Contestants nominated two of their fellow housemates each week for eviction. The housemates who received the most nominations were put up for public voting, and the one with the least votes was eliminated. This cycle continued throughout the season until the finale, where the winner was decided by public voting.
- Diary Room: The Diary Room served as the primary space for housemates to voice their thoughts and concerns to Bigg Boss. It also provided contestants with a private space to reflect on their strategies, emotions, and opinions about their fellow contestants.
Contestants:
The contestant lineup for Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 featured a mix of television actors, models, social media influencers, and other prominent personalities from the entertainment industry. The diverse nature of the contestants led to several dramatic and entertaining interactions throughout the season.
Here are some of the notable contestants:
- Manju Pavagada – A popular television actor and comedian, Manju was one of the standout contestants. His humor, charm, and resilience made him a favorite both inside and outside the house.
- Aravind K P – A well-known reality show contestant and social media influencer, Aravind had a competitive spirit and consistently performed well in tasks. His strategic gameplay and strong personality made him one of the season’s top contenders.
- Divya Uruduga – An actress and model, Divya was known for her strong will and emotional intelligence. She formed close bonds with fellow contestants and was seen as one of the strongest female players in the house.
- Shubha Poonja – An actress in Kannada films, Shubha brought her vibrant personality into the house. While she had moments of conflict, she also had a fanbase that appreciated her straightforwardness.
- Prashanth Sambargi – A businessman and social activist, Prashanth was a controversial figure in the house. His strong opinions and confrontational nature led to frequent clashes with other contestants.
- Vaishnavi Gowda – An actress and model, Vaishnavi was another strong female contestant. Her composed demeanor and tactical gameplay earned her admiration, though she also faced criticism for being too calculated at times.
- Nidhi Subbaiah – A Kannada film actress, Nidhi entered the house as a wildcard contestant. Her entry brought in a fresh dynamic to the house and challenged the established relationships.
- Chakravarthy Chandrachud – A writer and journalist, Chakravarthy was a wildcard entry who brought a philosophical and intellectual perspective to the house. However, his confrontational nature also made him one of the more controversial figures.
Other contestants included:
- Rajeev Hanu – An actor known for his roles in Kannada television.
- Geetha Bharathi Bhat – A singer and actress who charmed audiences with her positive attitude and emotional moments.
Key Highlights of the Season:
1. Manju Pavagada’s Victory:
- Manju Pavagada emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8, a result that thrilled his fans. Manju’s journey in the house was marked by his humor, consistency in tasks, and his ability to stay out of major controversies. His humble background and relatable personality resonated with viewers, who rallied behind him throughout the season.
- His victory was seen as a testament to his perseverance and positive attitude, making him a deserving winner in the eyes of many fans.
2. Aravind K P as Runner-up:
- Aravind K P, the runner-up, was another fan favorite. His strong physical performance in tasks, coupled with his strategic gameplay, made him a formidable contender throughout the season. Aravind’s close friendship with Divya Uruduga was one of the season’s most discussed relationships, as their bond grew stronger with each passing week.
- Despite falling short of the title, Aravind’s journey was widely praised, and he amassed a significant fan following.
3. The Divya Uruduga and Aravind K P Bond:
- One of the most talked-about relationships in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 was the close friendship between Divya Uruduga and Aravind K P. Their bond was evident from the beginning, and fans speculated whether their relationship would blossom into a romantic one. However, both maintained that they shared a close friendship, and their chemistry became a central focus of the season.
- The duo supported each other in tasks, formed strategic alliances, and were often seen spending time together, discussing their game plans.
4. COVID-19 Break and Season Reboot:
- The biggest twist in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 came when the show had to be paused due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time in Bigg Boss Kannada history that the show was temporarily halted. The decision was made due to rising concerns about the safety of the contestants and crew.
- When the show resumed in June 2021, only the remaining contestants returned to the house, and the game picked up right where it left off. This break was a unique event in the Bigg Boss Kannada series and tested the resilience of both the housemates and the production team.
5. Wildcard Entries and New Dynamics:
- After the show resumed, Nidhi Subbaiah and Chakravarthy Chandrachud entered the house as wildcard contestants. Their entry introduced new dynamics, with both housemates challenging the existing alliances and strategies.
- Chakravarthy’s philosophical outlook and sharp tongue led to several confrontations, especially with Prashanth Sambargi, who was also known for his outspoken nature.
6. Emotional and Dramatic Moments:
- As always, Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8 had its share of emotional moments. Housemates often broke down due to the pressure of tasks, evictions, and conflicts within the house. Geetha Bharathi Bhat, in particular, became emotional several times, connecting with viewers who empathized with her struggles.
- The season also saw several intense confrontations, especially between Prashanth Sambargi and other housemates like Shubha Poonja and Vaishnavi Gowda. Prashanth’s assertive personality clashed with
