Bigg Boss (Hindi TV series) season 5

Bigg Boss 5 is the fifth season of the Indian reality TV show Bigg Boss, which aired on Colors TV from 2 October 2011 to 7 January 2012 with Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan as the hosts.

During the launch on 2 October, fourteen hand-picked housemates entered the house located in Karjat, a town, about halfway between Mumbai and Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Four additional wild card entries were made during the second, third, fourth and the end of seventh week, taking the number of contestants to 18. Three guest entries, who stayed in the house for a couple of days, took the total number of inhabitants to 21. The housemates, considered strangers for each other, spent 98 days (14 weeks) locked out together under the supervision of 55 cameras installed around the house.

The series was won by actress Juhi Parmar on 7 January 2012.

Opening
The opening episode was aired on 2 October 2011 presented by Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan. The extravagant introductory episode to the season 5 showcased different features of the Bigg Boss house and introduced each of the participant. This season also had majority female contestants. It also featured Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn for the promo of their upcoming film Rascals and Samir Soni for promoting his new serial Parichay on Colors.

Housemates
The participants in the order of appearance and entry into the house are:

Original entrants

 * Shakti Kapoor – Film actor. He is known for acting in films like Do Waqt Ki Roti, Satte Pe Satta, Musafir and Chup Chup Ke. In 2007, he participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 3 with his wife Shivangi Kolhapure.
 * Pooja Bedi – Film actress.   She is the daughter of actor Kabir Bedi who is known for appearing in films like Vishkanya, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee. She has participated in reality shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Nach Baliye and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi.
 * Shonali Nagrani – Film actress and model. She is known for acting in films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Dil Bole Hadippa!. In 2009, she participated in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. Shonali had also took part in Femina Miss India where she emerged as the winner for the 2003 contest and runner-up for the international contest. She later presented IPL for four consecutive years.
 * Nihita Biswas – Interpreter.    Nihita is the wife of serial killer Charles Sobhraj. She claimed they got married inside the jail where Charles was convicted. Nihita’s mother – Shakuntala Thapa is Sobhraj’s criminal lawyer.
 * Shraddha Sharma – Television actress. She is known for acting in television shows like Suno Har Dil Kuch Kehta Hai and Saarrthi. She was in the news for her relationship with actor Raja Chaudhary and was the reason for the latter's divorce with Shweta Tiwari.
 * Mandeep Bevli – News presenter. She is an anchor with Headlines Today, specializing mostly in entertainment related news. Her firecracker wit and personality make her memorable to all she meets.
 * Raageshwari Loomba – Singer. She is well known for singing songs like Duniya, Kudi E' Punjab Di and Kal Ki Na Fiqar. She has acted in films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Zid. Raageshwari is also a VJ who has presented many MTV shows like Baar Baar Dekho Tum and Ek Do Teen.
 * Vida Samadzai – Model. Vida is from Afghanistan known for being the first Afghan woman to participate in an international beauty pageant Miss Earth 2003 since 1974. Her participation in the Miss Earth beauty pageant in 2003 was condemned by the Afghan Supreme Court, saying such a display of the female body goes against Islamic law and Afghan culture. In particular, traditionalists objected to her appearance in a red bikini during the pageant's press presentation.
 * Mahek Chahal – Film actress and model.    She is known for appearing in item numbers for films like Chameli, Jai Veeru and Yamla Pagla Deewana. She also acted in films like Nayee Padosan, Wanted and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna.
 * Sonika Kaliraman – Wrestler. Kaliraman is a professional wrestler and daughter of legendary wrestler Padma Shree, Arjuna Award winner Master Chandgi Ram. She is the first woman Bharat Kesari title-holder and 10 times National Wrestling Champion.
 * Pooja Misrra – VJ, model and actress. Pooja is known for presenting B4U's talk show Jab We Met and participating in Big Switch. Pooja also made her Bollywood debut with Mera Dil Leke Dekho where she did an item number.
 * Gulabo Sapera – Dancer. A well-known singer-dancer from Rajasthan, she is famous for her folk style. She broke age-old traditions when took her culture on-stage at the age of 12, which was heavily promoted by the Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
 * Laxmi Tripathi – LGBT activist. She is a well known transgender who is also a dancer and activist. She holds the distinction of being the only Hijra in the UN’s Civil Society Task Force on HIV/AIDS. She also works for the community through her campaign group Astitva.
 * Juhi Parmar – Television actress. She is known for playing the lead as Kumkum in Star Plus popular show Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan. In 2009, she participated in Pati Patni Aur Woh with her husband Sachin Shroff.

Wild card entrants

 * Amar Upadhyay – Actor and model.  He is known for acting in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as Mihir. He later acted in films like LOC Kargil, Dharam Veer and 13B.
 * Sidharth Bhardwaj – VJ, model and actor. He is known for participating in MTV Splitsvilla 2 and emerged as the winner in 2009. He later presented many shows like MTV Stripped and MTV Roadies.
 * Akashdeep Saigal – Model and actor. He is known for playing Ansh / Eklavya in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Ranbir in Kuchh Is Tara. He participated in reality shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Fear Factor India, Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao and Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout.
 * Sunny Leone – Former pornstar and film actress. She was named Penthouse Pet of the Year in 2003 and was a contract star for Vivid Entertainment. Named by Maxim as one of the 12 top porn stars in 2010, she has also played roles in independent mainstream films and television shows.

Guest entrants

 * Swami Agnivesh - Social worker and Arya Samaj scholar. He was best known for his work against bonded labour through the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, which he founded in 1981. Agnivesh also founded and became president of the World Council of Arya Samaj, which he described as an associate of the original Arya Samaj, and served as the chairperson of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery from 2001 to 2004. He died on 11 September 2020. He entered the house on Day 38 to Day 41.
 * Andrew Symonds – Cricketer. Symonds is a right-handed middle order batsman and alternates between medium pace and off-spin bowling. Since mid-2008, he spent most of the time out of the team, due to disciplinary reasons, including alcohol. In June 2009 he was sent home from the 2009 World Twenty20, his third suspension, expulsion or exclusion from selection in the space of a year. His central contract was then withdrawn, and many cricket analysts have speculated that the Australian administrators will no longer tolerate him, and that Symonds may announce his retirement. He entered on Day 67 to Day 78. He died in a car crash on 14 May 2022.
 * Yamamotoyama Ryūta

Nominations table


Color Key
 * The colors are used to denote the housemate and their family member used for nomination in week 11.
 * indicates the House Captain.
 * indicates that the Housemate was directly nominated for eviction prior to the regular nominations process.
 * indicates that the housemate has Re-Entered.
 * indicates that the person was saved by another housemate.
 * indicates that the housemate has been granted immunity from nominations.
 * indicates that the housemate was in the caravan or secret room.
 * indicates that the housemate entered as a wild card entrant.
 * indicates that the housemate has been declared as the winner.
 * indicates that the housemate has been declared as the first runner-up.
 * indicates that the housemate has been declared as the second runner-up.
 * indicates that the housemate has been declared as the third runner-up.
 * indicates that the housemate has been declared as the fourth runner-up.
 * indicates the contestant has been evicted.
 * indicates the contestant has been walked out of the show.
 * indicates the housemate was ejected.
 * indicates Sunny's family didn’t come to meet her I’m week 11, hence no one could nominate two housemates for eviction on her behalf.

Nomination notes

 * : Shakti as captain was asked to appoint four names from the remaining housemates who would be Up for Nomination. As a result of being chosen Laxmi, Gulabo, Nihita and Pooja M. were exempt from nominating for this week, however, the remaining 9 housemates were allowed to cast their votes. Remaining housemates nominated Pooja M. and Nihita.
 * : Housemates nominated Pooja M., Gulabo and Mandeep however, according to the power given to Shakti as captain, he was able to save a nominated housemate from eviction. Shakti chose Mandeep.
 * : Pooja M. and Raageshwari were nominated by Bigg Boss as a punishment. Housemates were unable to cast their nominations against them. Mandeep as captain nominated Mahek directly placing her against public vote. Remaining housemates nominated Amar, Juhi and Shonali.
 * : Shonali was safe as captain, Housemates were unable to cast their nominations against her. Shonali nominated Mahek directly placing her against public vote. Remaining housemates nominated Shakti, Shraddha and Pooja B.
 * : Shonali was safe for another week as captain, Housemates were unable to cast their nominations against her. Shonali nominated Pooja M. directly placing her against public vote. Remaining housemates nominated Mahek, Mandeep and Amar.
 * : Shraddha was safe as captain and Sidharth was immune from nominations because Mandeep took his name when Bigg Boss asked her to save one housemate from eviction on week 6 while she was leaving the house. Housemates were unable to cast their nominations against them. Shraddha nominated Akashdeep directly placing him against public vote. Remaining housemates nominated Pooja M., Mahek and Laxmi.
 * : Akashdeep was safe as captain and Mahek was immune from nominations because Laxmi took her name when Bigg Boss asked her to save one housemate from eviction on week 7 while she was leaving the house. Hence, they were immune from nomination. Akashdeep, taking assistance from Siddharth nominated Shraddha, Pooja M., Vida and Shonali directly placing them against public vote.
 * : Amar was safe as captain and nominated Pooja B, directly placing her against public vote. Akashdeep was nominated for eviction by the Bigg Boss as a result of losing the weekly task. Sunny was exempt from nomination. Remaining housemates nominated Mahek and Sidharth.
 * : Mahek was made the captain after Pooja M. (the reigning captain was ejected) and, hence, was safe for nominations. She nominated Akashdeep directly placing him against public vote. Akashdeep, Sidharth and Amar were called in the confession room to decide two names to directly place against the public vote. The trio came up with Shraddha and Sunny.
 * : Instead of nominating two housemates to place against the public vote, Bigg Boss asked the housemates to give two names whom they would save from eviction. Housemates saved Akashdeep and Sunny. Contrary to the result, the remaining housemates were put up for eviction.
 * : Before leaving the Family/Friends of the housemates, who came for a short visit to meet their loved ones, were asked to nominate two names for eviction excluding Pooja M., Sidharth and Andrew. Hence, Amar and Shonali got nominated.
 * : Captain's post was abolished by the Bigg Boss as punishment. Housemates nominated Amar, Sidharth, Juhi and Sunny. Voting lines were closed for the week, however, housemates were unaware of this. Mahek returned to the house via "Wildcard Voting Contest".
 * : Housemates weren't asked to give names to nominate for eviction. Bigg Boss nominated all housemates to give each an equal chance to secure their position in the final week.
 * : During the final week the public voted for who they wanted to win Bigg Boss, the housemates with the fewest votes were evicted on day 97 (the finale) with the winner revealed on the same night.

Controversies
The participation of the pornographic actress Sunny Leone was criticised by the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF), who sent a request to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ambika Soni, to take action against Colors for indirectly encouraging and promoting pornography in India via the introduction of an adult entertainer.

The hosts Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt were accused of intimidating behaviour towards some of the housemates, and some of the evicted housemates also accused Khan of favouring Mahek Chahal over other contestants. and Sanjay Dutt.