People keep asking me to recommend them: Salman

Salman Khan on why he doesn't handpick participants for 'Bigg Boss 6' and making the content more family-friendly

With the sixth season of Bigg Boss almost around the corner, Salman Khan is all geared up to take up the reigns as the show's host once again. Interestingly this time, the actor has decided to make certain changes to the show's format to make the content more audience-friendly. However, Sallu points out that he has absolutely no hand in deciding who gets into the Bigg Boss house.

A change in format... why?
I thought that on last year's show, there was too much screaming and shouting in the house. That is why it was pushed to the 11 pm time slot indicating that the show is damaging to our culture. I wanted it to be a family entertainer so that people from the age group of six to 60 can watch it.

Do you have a say on who gets selected for the show?
No I don't get into that. Too many people keep asking me to recommend their names. Then it becomes difficult for me to either choose or drop them. During the last season too, I got to know people once I had shot with them.


But don't you think certain people on the show become the victims of circumstances?
The actual personality of a person tends to come through in such situations. Some of them act, some don't. Some former housemates have confessed to me that after two or three days in the house, they did not feel the cameras around them anymore.

We are trying to bring well-behaved people on our show this time but we cannot guarantee if they will remain so inside the house.

This season will also have a common man in the house. People who work for social causes are welcome to join the house. If you have done good work but people don't know about it, you can apply.

Will you miss Sanjay Dutt this year?
Yes, I will miss him. Last year I got busy with my work and this year he is busy with his film commitments. Credit:http://www.santabanta.com

Sanjay out! Salman to host Bigg Boss 6

NEW DELHI: Salman Khan does not need a partner this time. The actor has agreed to host Bigg Boss 6 on his own, reports Mid Day.

Sanjay Dutt who co-hosted the previous season along with Salman would not be a part of the upcoming season.

"Even though Salman is presently shooting in Thailand for a film with Katrina Kaif, the makers have already sounded him about being part of the new season as well. He has agreed to host it. He alone will be the host for the sixth season,” a source told the tabloid.

Madhuri Dixit's Jhalak Dikhla Jaa will go on air before Bigg Boss.

“The dance reality show which has Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar and Remo Fernandes as judges will go on air first followed by a talent hunt show. Only then will Bigg Boss air," the source added.

Though Sallu's date diary is choc-a-block, the actor would still take out time for the show as his family members are avid watchers of the show

Mike Tyson in Bigg Boss 5?

If all goes well, in the upcoming season of Indian reality show 'Bigg Boss' we will be able to see boxer Mike Tyson as one of the contestants.

For the fifth season of the show which will be hosted by Bollywood heavyweights Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, the producers plan to bring the real ‘heavyweight’ champ to India.

The boxer is expected to grab ample attention just like Pamela Anderson did in the last season. Tyson who is all kicked about participating in the reality show, is likely to be in India in and around October, when the shoot for ‘Bigg Boss 5’ is slated to begin.

According to sources, “Tyson is an international celebrity, who will attract lot of male audience and kids to see the show. The channel is currently trying to work out the modalities.”

Tyson is known as the bad boy of the boxing world. Convicted of raping a woman, Tyson has spent 3 years in prison. But despite controversies, he enjoys a massive fan following.

Pooja Bhatt declines 'Bigg Boss 5' offer

Bollywood actress-turned-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt says she was offered a place in the fifth season of sensational reality show "Bigg Boss" but she turned it down for its very concept.

"Was just offered the next BIGG BOSS. Living in a communal fish bowl out of choice is not quite my scene (sic)," Pooja posted on her Twitter page Friday.

It is possible that Pooja took the decision following her brother Rahul's stint on the show last year.

Rahul, who came into the spotlight for his acquaintance with Pakistani-American terror convict David Coleman Headley, charged with scouting targets for the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem, raised quite a few eyebrows with his entry on the show. But he maintained a quiet demeanour, and mostly kept to himself. He was voted out in the fifth week of the show.

Pooja, daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, made her Bollywood debut in 1991 with "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin", after which she featured in many films including "Sadak", "Sir", "Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee", "Chaahat" and "Zakhm".

She made her directorial debut with "Paap" in 2004, and continued remaining behind the camera for films like "Holiday", "Dhokha" and "Kajraare".

"Bigg Boss", aired on Colors, is the Indian version of international reality show "Big Brother" where select few celebrities are locked up inside an isolated house, without any connection with the outside world. Their activities are captured by cameras 24X7.

Veena Malik received death threats

Lahore: Pakistani actress Veena Malik has received a "death threat" from a purported Taliban commander for appearing on the Indian reality TV show "Big Boss", her media manager said on Saturday.

"Self-styled Taliban commander Ahmed Masood issued the death threat in a hand-written letter sent to Veena for appearing on the Indian show," Sohail Rashid, her media manager, said.
"Veena is in India but she will not seek asylum there or in any other country on security grounds," Rashid said.

He dismissed speculation that the media was informed about the Taliban threat to garner "cheap publicity" for Veena.
Rashid said clerics in Pakistan had been criticising Veena since she appeared in Indian television shows, especially "Big Toss".

"This is not the first time she has received threats. Earlier she was given threats through SMS messages," he added. The authenticity of the letter could not immediately be verified.

Veena, 33, earned the ire of clerics and hardliners for her appearance in "Big Boss", during which she featured in several intimate scenes with actor Ashmit Patel.
Hardliners have accused her of shaming Pakistan.

The actress in currently in India to host the cricket World Cup show "Big Toss".
Veeena told the media that her security was a concern and the Pakistan government is responsible for protecting her and her family.

Noting that key personalities like Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer had been assassinated by hardliners despite being provided security, Veena said her life and death was in God's hands.

Shweta reveals her latest flame

Bigg Boss 4 winner Shweta Tiwari, finds an emotional anchor in Abhinav Kohli, the new guy in her life.

After her Bigg Boss 4 win, actress Shweta Tiwari opens up about the new love of her life, Abhinav Kohli, in People magazine’s March 11 issue. The two met on the sets of Jaane Kya Baat Hui in November 2008 and became close friends before getting into a relationship. Due to her past (her volatile marriage to actor Raja Choudhury) the actress was reluctant to let love into her life again, but Abhinav’s selflessness won her over.

Extracts from the interview...

Abhinav stood by me when he was just a friend, and had no obligation to my daughter or me. I thought, what more did I want? A famous or rich guy wouldn’t necessarily respect me.

He was always so sweet to me as well as my daughter Palak. She started loving him and developed some good habits in his company. She started reading good books, watching the right TV channels her speech and behaviour changed because he was teaching her the right things.

We took a year-and-a-half to get to know each other. He doesn’t drink, is with my family all the time, he doesn’t have too many female friends, so he is the complete opposite of what I had before. He is too nice to be true.

I have seen a partner who was never happy with my success. Here, I have a person who is happier than me when I achieve something. He was more thrilled than I was when I won Bigg Boss.

The three months that I was in the Bigg Boss house I knew my family was safe because of Abhinav and if not for him, I wouldn’t have dared to take the show up.

And I was proved right when Raja created those problems while I was away. Professionally and personally, I’m really happy just because of Abhinav.”

Salman Khan to host Big Boss 5

MUMBAI: If everything goes well, the next season of controversial reality show Bigg Boss will be hosted by the Bollywood's bratty boy again. According to sources, Salman Khan is keen on signing the fifth edition of Bigg Boss. The current season of the show is wrapping up today with a grand finale.

A source close to Salman Khan told, "He is extremely happy with the way the show turned up and the response he received. This was his second time as a television host after 10 Ka Dum, He is now looking forward to another stint with Bigg Boss 5."

Meanwhile Salman Khan fans could see him performing at a medley of songs - Humko Pini Hai from Dabangg, Wanted's title track and Barso Re from London Dreams in the grand finale of the show. But we wonder if Bigg Boss would break its tradition of not repeating hosts for Sallu.

Shweta Tiwari becomes first woman to win Bigg Boss

Shweta Tiwari emerged the winner of reality show Big Boss Season 4, hosted by actor Salman Khan on the channel Colors. The audience chose the television actor over the three other finalists -- actors Ashmit Patel and Dolly Bindra, and professional wrestler The Great Khali. Khali and Patel were the first and second runners up, respectively.

Speculation was rife that Patel would win the title. But television actor Tiwari became the first woman to win the reality show with a prize money of Rs 1 million announced at a grand finale in Lonavala on Saturday night. Tiwari gained popularity for her role as Prerna in Balaji soap Kasautii Zindagii Kay that used to air on Star Plus.

All three runners-up took home a bike each, while actor-model Sameer Soni received a Chevrolet Cruze as a special prize for being the boldest and most stylish participant of this season.

Sara Khan 'disowns' family

After coming out of the "Bigg Boss" house, television actress Sara Khan has disowned her family for using her name for "cheap" publicity.

The Bhopal girl, who became a known name after her stint on the hit TV series "Sapna Babul Ka - Bidaai", Tuesday came on a live show on a television channel and said as her name has been used by her family, specially her younger sister Angel, for "cheap" popularity, she "disowns" them.

Sara also said when she was getting married with Ali Merchant in "Bigg Boss" house, her family misguided media by claiming that she was already married.

Sara even said that to become actress, her sister Angel tried to cash in on her name.

But Sara's family has a different take on this all.

Reacting to her sister's allegation, Angel said: "She is now a celebrity, so she thinks so."

When Angel wanted to talk to her, Sara refused.

Last month when Sara tied the knot with Ali Merchant, who is also from Bhopal, her family told media that the two cannot get do so as they are already married.

As a proof, the family showed the pictures of Sar and Ali as bride and groom.

"After two months she has come out of the 'Bigg Boss' house, so she does not know the reality," Sara's mother Seema Khan told IANS.

"Till now what she is saying is what Ali has told her. I know who is behind all this. But I would not name the person right now. I will tell the name at an appropriate time."

The party’s just started

Model Hrishant Goswami , who was ousted from the Bigg Boss house on Friday, says he is glad he’s out. “There was no alcohol in the house and I couldn’t sleep enough because we couldn’t sleep in the day time,” he says.

Goswami, who was the object of Pakistani actor Veena Malik’s affection, says he only saw her as a “good friend”. “We started off with our share of fights, but she ended up liking me. For me, it is only friendship. I want to focus on my career,” he says. While he maintains that he did not get attracted to any woman in the house, he admits, “I got to meet Pamela Anderson, which was great. And, of course, I liked Kareena when she entered the house ... but that’s it!”

Goswami is now looking forward to having a blast with actor Ashmit Patel, who he befriended in the house. “We are going to meet up and have a blast together; our camaraderie was for real,” he says. Asked who, according to him, is the most clever person inside the house, Goswami says, “Manoj Tiwari. He is a true politician.”

Sylvester Stallone to enter Bigg Boss 4?

You can expect all the unexpected things to happen in Colors' reality show 'Bigg Boss 4'! The first surprise for the house mates in this season was the entry of 'The Great Khali' and then came the drama queen Dolly Bindra, who took the house on fire with her weird activities and fights.

Now, the house is celebrating some peaceful moments after the exit of the loud lady Dolly Bindra.

In the meantime, the house got two days to relax and have fun with former 'Baywatch' star Pamela Anderson, who entertained the housemates with her 'Dhak Dhak' performance. Now, it's time for some action! So, the talk is on to bring the 'Rambo' star Sylvester Stallone as the second international celebrity guest in the Bigg Boss house.

If everything goes well, then we will get to watch Sylvester Stallone inside the Bigg Boss house for few days. So, we can expect another great gym session of Ashmit, Hrishant and Khali with this Rambo star. However, what about the female housemates of Bigg Boss 4? How will they react seeing the macho man?

If Sylvester Stallone enters the show before this week's elimination then he will have to save himself from Pakistani actress Veena Malik, who is ready to go to any extent to seduce even a flop actor like Ashmit Patel! So, if she sees a Hollywood star like Stallone, we can't imagine how will she react and at what extent she will go to impress him!

Sara Khan and other female housemates like Shweta Tiwari and Seema Parihar have control over their hormones and they behave in a rather mature way in such conditions but Veena Malik is sure to show her antics!

Pam Anderson boosts ratings on controversial Indian TV show

The Canadian bombshell has caused ratings of the Indian TV show Bigg Boss (similar to Big Brother) to shoot through the roof this week, just as the show caught the eye of the Indian government.

On Wednesday, Indian officials ordered the show to be moved to after 11 p.m. from prime time due to “objectionable” content. On Thursday, a high court reversed the decision until a Nov. 22 hearing.

The complaints don’t stem from anything Anderson has done, but from events that occurred before her arrival, including a female housemate dropping her towel, an intimate kissing scene and abusive language.

Anderson’s appearance on the reality show began Wednesday night. She will leave the program Friday. The other houseguests were unaware of her arrival.

Anderson had picked up some phrases in Hindi, the only language the house guests speak. By Thursday’s show, the actress had learned a traditional Hindi dance.

This is not Anderson’s first foray into reality television. In 2008, she was on the Australian version of Big Brother. She also had her own reality show, Pam: Girl on the Loose.

Anderson is the second westerner to appear on Bigg Boss. The first was Jane Goody — a veteran of the British version of Big Brother — who left the show after she received her fatal cancer diagnosis.

Latest Surprise In Bigg Boss 4

Pamela Anderson has arrived, and how! Reportedly Pamela has entered the Bigg Boss house and is all set to create hot waves with her oomph factor.

Amidst reports about her deep concern for 'Animal Rights and the availability of water etc, the fact that this 'Baywatch' star is going to be one of the biggest attractions of this season's Bigg Boss cannot be denied. Pamela is ready to make the big splash in the house in tonight's episode.

The excitement to catch a glimpse of the star had begun ever since she stepped into the Mumbai airport, and now with her entry into the house where temperatures of the inmates were already soaring day in and day out, it just remains to be seen what happens as Pam starts her day in tonight's episode.

'Bigg Boss is known for the big surprises but this idea of getting the hot Pamela Anderson into the house certainly is an icing on the cake.

So just wait and start counting backwards for tonight's episode of the Bigg Boss 4 reality show!

Or else just come back here for the latest happenings with Pamela hot entry into the house.

Pamela Anderson goes desi with bangles, bindi, sari for 'Bigg Boss 4'

Hollywood star Pamela Anderson gave up her hot bikini look and wore a white sequined sari teamed with a sensuous blouse, jhumkas, bangles and a bindi for her entry in Colors' reality show "Bigg Boss 4" here Tuesday night.

The 43-year-old looked ravishing as she entered the house with Yana Gupta's popular item number "Babuji zara dheere chalo" playing in the background. She greeted the housemates with a "Namaste", informs a source.

As expected, the housemates were quite excited to see Anderson, who has entered the show as a guest for three days.

"Ashmit Patel and Hrishant Goswami couldn't believe who they saw and hugged each other," said the source.

The episode showcasing the former "Baywatch" babe's entry will be telecast Wednesday night.

Anderson landed in Mumbai Monday night. This is her first visit to India and she hopes to get "some impressions" of the country during her stay.

"Bigg Boss 4" features contestants like actors Ashmit Patel, Manoj Tiwari, Shweta Tiwari, Sara Khan, Sameer Soni, Dolly Bindra, model Hrishant Goswami, WWE wrestler The Great Khali and former dacoit Seema Parihar, locked inside a house without any communication with the outside world. The ongoing season is being hosted by Bollywood star Salman Khan.

Bigg Boss 4: Veena Malik attacks Ashmit Patel

After placing match-fixing allegations on ex-boyfriend and Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif and unceremoniously dragging Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra's name in the international cricket scandal, Pakistani starlet Veena Malik seems to have surprisingly turned her attention towards Bigg Boss co-participant Ashmit Patel this week.

Ashmit, a favourite with girls on the reality show, has currently been given a kitchen task of cleaning dishes in the Bigg Boss House. But when he stressed on cleanliness of utensils, out of the blue, Veena suddenly lashed out at him.

"Aap ko bahut shaq hai baat karne ka, aur main yahan pe relax kar rahi hoon... Go.... Apna kaam karo... mujhpe ehsaan kar rahe ho kya."

When Ashmit started to leave the argument, saying he's going for a workout, Veena shouted at him again, "Meri bala se workout karo... I don't care," she shot and added, "Jhoothe bartan dhota hai, toh khana bhi toh khata hai."

From the looks of it, Veena gives more significance to tiffs over emotions of the co-participants on the show.

Ashmit's publicist Dale Bhagwagar agrees. "Veena is just a drama queen. She talks about tehzeeb and integrity, but seems to do everything for effect," he remarked.

Undoubtedly, Veena's attention-seeking antics are questionable, but the irony is that such cocky behaviour has also come to be known as a necessary evil for reality shows, so it has to be tolerated by the other participants.

"Ashmit is a responsible person. He might get upset on the spur of the moment, but I'm sure he will get over this volley of words and bounce back with dignity," Bhagwagar added.

It will be interesting to watch how far Veena's 'stings' will take her on Bigg Boss. As far as the viewers are concerned, they seem to be lapping up every bit of the drama, as much as they are enjoying host Salman Khan's dabangg moves and jibes.

Pakistani contestant Begum evicted from 'Bigg Boss 4'

Pakistani contestant Ali Saleem, better known as Begum Nawazish Ali, was evicted from the popular reality show "Bigg Boss 4" in the episode aired Friday after he received the lowest votes.

Saleem, who was fondly referred to as Begum in the "Bigg Boss 4" house, is one of the two Pakistani contestants against whom the Shiv Sena has been protesting.

Begum was nominated for eviction along with the other Pakistani contestant, actress Veena Mallik, and popular TV actress Shweta Tiwari. He received the lowest votes.

All through his stay on the show, Begum seemed very opinionated and loud-mouthed about every incident on the show. However, he regaled the inmates with his vibrant personality once in a while.

Initially, he cribbed about sharing a bed with anyone and insisted on being named the captain of the house in order to enjoy the comfort of a specially appointed room in the house. Gradually he mixed up well with the rest of the contestants.

"Bigg Boss 4", being shot at a house in Lonavala, started with 13 contestants in a house without any communication with the outside world. The contestants are under constant camera surveillance.

Sakshi Pradhan out of Bigg Boss 4

Sakshi Pradhan's cranky nature didn't go down too well with either the inmates of "Bigg Boss 4" or the Indian TV audiences. She has been evicted within just two weeks of being on the show.

The former MTV "Splitsvilla" contestant was nominated by last week's captain of the house, Pakistani TV actor Ali Saleem, whose TV persona Begum Nawazish Ali is popular both in Pakistan and India.

Others who were nominated for eviction with Sakshi were Sameer Soni and former dacoit Seema Parihar, but she received minimum votes to save her from eviction.

Sakshi was extremely friendly with the girls in the house, especially with Pakistani actress Veena Malik, but had her share of tiffs and ego hassles with male contestants. However, she did not willingly do the house chores.

Sakshi shed tears before leaving the house on the episode aired Friday.

Sakshi entered the house with 13 other celebrities. The show, hosted by Bollywood star Salman Khan, requires contestants to be locked inside a house without any communication with the outside world.

Bigg Boss 4 - a pot full of controversial names

The line-up of contestants for "Bigg Boss 4" has a Pakistani terrorist's former lawyer, a thief-turned-detective, a former dacoit, a Pakistani cross-dresser and others. It's no wonder Colors chose Bollywood star Salman Khan to host the reality show, where controversy seems to be the ticket for entry.

It seems the "Bigg Boss 4" house in Lonavala, at the outskirts of Mumbai, might end up being quite a pot full of controversies this year with inmates like Mumbai terror attack accused Mohammad Ajmal Kasab's former lawyer Abbas Kazmi; thief-turned-detective Devinder Singh alias Superchor Bunty; actor Ashmit Patel, who was involved in an MMS scandal; and Rahul Bhatt, who was friends with David Headley, accused of scouting targets for Mumbai attack.

There will be fireworks in the house with former woman bandit Seema Parihar, who had allegedly killed 70 people and abducted over 200 before surrendering to the police a few years ago, joining others.

Some controversial names from across the border like Pakistani actress and former girlfriend of fast bowler Mohammed Asif, Veena Malik, and Pakistani cross-dressing diva Begum Nawazish Ali will also spice up the reality show, especially when they will be sharing the same house.

The show's glamour quotient will shoot up with TV actresses like Shweta Tiwari and Sara Khan, former MTV Splitsvilla contestant Sakshi Pradhan and model Aanchal Kumar. Also, joining the inmates will be Bhojpuri superstar Manoj Tiwari, model-turned-actor Sameer Soni and model Hrishant Goswami.

The 14 participants will be spending three months sans any communication with the outside world. They will clean wash rooms, will wake up early morning and survive on limited food.

The participants are not allowed to carry mobile phones and there will be no clock in the house which will be constantly under surveillance of about 50 cameras.

As compared to the earlier editions of the show, the set up of the house has been changed along with some rules. There will be no walls, no separate bedrooms for male and female contestants respectively and there will be cameras and microphones in wash rooms.

The colour scheme is brighter with yellow being the dominant shade of the interiors.

Every week a participant will be eliminated, and the one who survives till the end will be the winner.

The launch episode of the season saw a melange of participants taken on a guided tour of the house by Salman, who even performed later on songs from his hits "Dabangg" and "Wanted".

The contestants for the fourth season put up sizzling performances before entering the "Bigg Boss" house.

"Bigg Boss 3" winner Vindu Dara Singh and former contestants like Ravi Kishan, Bakhtiyaar and Tanaaz Currim, comedian Raju Srivatsav, were also present at the launch, and some like Kashmera Shah and Sambhavana Seth even performed.

Cuoco reveals 'Big Bang' co-star romance

The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco has revealed that she and co-star Johnny Galecki secretly dated for two years.

Cuoco, who plays Penny in the sitcom, told CBS Watch! magazine that she and Galecki, who plays on-screen love interest Leonard, split "before the holidays" last year due to the pressure in keeping their relationship out of the public eye.

She said: "It was such a huge part of my life and no-one knew about it. It was a wonderful relationship but we never spoke a word about it and never went anywhere together.

"We were so protective of ourselves and the show and didn't want anything to ruin that. But that also made it sad, too. That's not the kind of relationship I want - I don't want to be hiding."

The 24-year-old added that she and Galecki are still friends, and were able to stop their break-up from affecting their working relationship.

"When you're dealing with two professionals who have been working since they were both 4 - and who kept their lives extremely private - we didn't want anything other than that," she explained.

Zeenat Aman, Mandakini on 'Bigg Boss 4'?

Yesteryears glamour girls Zeenat Aman and Mandakini may soon be raising the mercury levels on Colors' reality show "Bigg Boss 4" if everything falls in place.

Both the actors are known for their sensuous appeal on the big screen. While Zeenat, 58, has been accredited for popularising the western look in Indian cinema, Mandakini hogged the limelight for her skin show in movies like "Ram Teri Ganga Maili".

"There is a possibility that Zeenat-ji and Mandakini will be part of 'Bigg Boss 4'. Nothing is confirmed yet but there is a strong possibility, " a source told.

"Aftab Shivdasani might also be among the contestants on the show this time, " added the source.
"Bigg Boss 4", starting Sunday, will be hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.

If rumours are to be believed, bar dancer Tarannum, petty thief Davinder Singh aka Bunty, apart from actors like Shakti Kapoor, Shweta Tiwari and Sara Khan will also be on the show, where celebrities are locked up inside a house for three months without any communication with the outside world.

Rumours were also rife about the participation of Hollywood girls Pamela Anderson and Kelly Brook, but the channel has refused to comment or confirm any name.