'Bigg Boss Bangla' returns with Sourav Ganguly as host
What's the story
Former Indian men's cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly will be hosting the Bengali version of the popular reality show Bigg Boss. The announcement was made at a starry event recently at Eden Gardens. This marks the return of the Bigg Boss franchise in Bengal after two seasons in 2013 and 2016. The program is owned and produced by EndemolShine India and will air on Star Jalsha. Ganguly isn't new to hosting as he ran quiz show Dadagiri for 10 seasons.
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Ganguly hopes show will spark discussion, celebrate individuality
Ganguly said in a statement, "Bigg Boss is a format built on strong personalities, bold opinions and compelling conversations, qualities that are deeply rooted in Bengal's cultural fabric." He hoped the show would reflect the "passion, emotion and distinctive identity of the state." He believes the show will spark discussions, celebrate individuality, and keep the audience engaged throughout the season.
Strategy
'Bigg Boss Bangla' part of Star Jalsha's broader strategy
The launch of Bigg Boss Bangla is part of a broader strategy by Star Jalsha to deepen its presence in the region. Sumanta Bose, who oversees Star Plus, Star Bharat, and Star Utsav across the East and West clusters at JioStar, said this marks a significant expansion for the franchise into a promising market. He added that adapting the format to reflect Bengal's cultural ethos while retaining its scale and intensity was key.
Franchise
'Bigg Boss' franchise expanded into multiple regional versions
The Bigg Boss franchise has been one of the most successful and enduring entertainment formats in India. It has been adapted into multiple languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Malayalam. The Hindi version remains among India's most popular reality programs with Salman Khan as its long-time host. Before Ganguly, Bengali actors Mithun Chakraborty and Jeet had hosted BB Bangla seasons. A release date for S03 is not yet out.