Bigg Boss 8: 5 things to expect from the reality show!

Host Salman Khan will be seen in a new avatar in this season of Bigg Boss 8. With many names doing the rounds, everyone's playing the guessing game as to who will make it to the list finally. With controversy being a favourite part of the show, Salman Khan, dressed handsomely as a pilot is all set to once again take the case of the contestants. So don't forget to catch all the action everyday 9pm from 21st September. With a new season coming up, here are 5 things to expect from the reality show!

This is perhaps the most controversial show on Indian Television. Following the international format of Big Brother, Bigg Boss is the perfect recipe of a masala show that has all the necessary ingredients, from controversies to ugly fights, romance and some daring challenges. In its seven seasons of existence, the show has witnessed a myriad of hosts from Amitabh Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, to Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan. While Salman has been consistent for the last few seasons, we take a look at some of the unique things to look forward to in the next season of Bigg Boss 8! It is alleged that Salman Khan will not be hosting the next season of Bigg Boss? According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the actor was asked to tone down his judgemental attitude. Read on to find out more!

New Host?- There has been much controversy surrounding the fact as to who will host Bigg Boss 8. While Salman has been a constant of late, the actor was allegedly miffed last season as there were accusations that he was partial to some contestants like Tanishaa. It is also alleged that the channel was hiding many things from him and Kushal's re entry into the house post his exit angered Salman. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the actor was miffed about a lot of things. A source close to the actor told Mumbai Mirror that Salman Khan was told to tone down his judgemental attitude towards contestants he did not care for and openly favour others. The source further added that Salman does not like his spontaneity to be curbed and that it was not a monetary issue with the channel. Further to reports in Mumbai mirror, the actor took to Twitter (November 10, 2013) to defend himself after the hashtag 'Unfair Salman' started trending. "I think it's the toughest show to do and host, specially if you get attached to the show, contestants and channel, it's not scripted it is reality. The reason I tweeted is because you guys are watching it, enjoying it, most important that you are closely following it (sic)," he tweeted. When Mumbai Mirror tried contacting the channel that broadcasts Bigg Boss, they maintained a no comments stance. If Salman does not have a change of heart, who will replace him?

Pets- Bigg Boss 6 had a tag line, 'Alag Che' and rightly so. Host Salman Khan was seen interacting with a Macaw parrot Radhe on this season of the show. Along with the parrot, there was also a fish to keep the contestants entertained. While the house also had three wise monkeys outside the house, season 7 had an adorable dog called Heaven who everybody loved. He was their reason to smile in that house, at least the larger part of the reason and was therapeutic for them. So it remains to be seen what pet will the makers of Bigg Boss 8 introduce in this season? After a parrot, fish and dog, can it be a rabbit? Another reason to look forward to the new season! Although this did get the show in trouble as animalrights activists were displeased with the use of animals and pets on the show as mere props and also their concern for the treatment of these animals.

Timings- The contestants are the most exciting part of Bigg Boss. While there have been celebs from all walks of life, only a few manage to garner a large fan following and add that extra spice to the show. It is alleged that in season 8, Bollywood actress Poonam Pandey, who is known for her racy pictures on twitter, may be a part of the show. If there is any truth to this rumour, the show timings could be shifted to a late night airing due to Poonam. The model cum actress is known for her publicity gimmicks and while it will be good for the show if she comes on board, it may not remain a family show anymore and hence, the time slot may have to be changed.

Contestants- Bigg Boss is incomplete without celebs who grace the show from varied fields. Generally there are TV celebs, a politician, someone from the LGBT community, an international star, a sportsperson and a singer with some other variations. Celebs like Dolly Bindra, Pooja Misrra, Sambhavna Seth, Rakhi Sawant, Imam Siddique to name a few, have entertained viewers and have made things extremely spicy for audiences. Then there are the love birds like Gauahar and Kushal Tandon whose romance makes the show more interesting to watch. While there are rumours that Nasha actress Poonam Pandey will grace the show, which other sex siren will be roped in to give her tough competition on the show? Will there be more couples like Apoorva-Shilpa and former husband wife-Delnaaz and Rajev Paul? That apart, which singer and politician will participate in this reality show and who will politicise things and make big issues out of small things, only time will tell.

Theme- Every year, Bigg Boss comes up with a unique theme that contestants have to follow. Whether it is heaven vs. hell as seen in season 7 or the Bigg Boss house vs. the poor mud house in season 6, the makers have not ceased to surprise. Contestants have also been shocked by these developments, but this is what makes Bigg Boss so interesting. Last year, Tanishaa Mukerji was the first to enter the house with VJ Andy and they had to decide who would go to hell (Jahannam) and heaven (Jannat) and there were many contestants who were reluctant to go in Jahannam as the conditions were nothing fancy. This year, it will be fun to see what theme will divide the contestants and what tasks they will have to win to go into Bigg Boss' house.