Exclusive - From sanitising every prop used for the task to the decision of not allowing family members: Here's how Bigg Boss Kannada 8 got affected by COVID-19

The latest edition of Bigg Boss Kannada was surely not like the previous ones. The ongoing pandemic did affect the reality show and the makers were forced to take up extra precautionary measures to go ahead. ETimes TV got in touch with the makers of Bigg Boss Kannada. In an Exclusive interaction with Jaydev Srinivas Kappanna, reality director of BB Kannada 8, shared how the pandemic impacted the popular reality show. Right from the reason for not allowing LIVE audience, precautions that were taken inside BB house, ensuring the safety of contestants, and how the team successfully managed to run the show amid the pandemic- here are some EXCLUSIVE inside information for our readers.

Bigg Boss Kannada season 8 which was slated to premiere during the month of October (2020) but got delayed due to the rise in the COVID-19 cases in the state. However, the show finally premiered on 28 February 2021. The season's premiere turned out to be a successful one. Host Kiccha Sudeep welcomed 17 celebs from different walks of life, who entered the BB house as contestants.

For the first time in the history of Bigg Boss Kannada, Sudeep was not able to shoot for the weekend episode due to illness and ongoing lockdown in the state. His presence in the weekend episode of Bigg Boss Kannada season 8 was much missed by contestants and fans alike.

Jaydev exclusively told ETimes TV, "Every prop that was sent inside the Bigg Boss house for tasks and activities was completely sanitized. We were being very cautious about it this season. The props were sanistized and left untouched for a while. A thorough check was done before the props were installed inside the glasshouse. Practically, the contestants of Bigg Boss Kannada season 8 were the safest people during the times of the second wave of COVID-19. That's how we managed to look after the safety measures."

"This is something we all missed this season. The live audience during the weekend episode would bring in a lot of energy to the show. But due to the COVID-19 protocols, there was no live audience to cheer for this season. We had to stick to the rules and guidelines given to us by the authorities," says Jaydev.

"The reality show was stalled in mid-way due to the rage of the COVID-19 cases in the state. However, the reality show resumed again. This was something that happened for the first time in the history of any Bigg Boss series. The phase was very exciting and challenging actually. The team had to wait for proper permission from the concerned authorities to resume the shoot. There were a lot of protocols that needed to be followed," he says.

"Apart from the permission, there were only logistic issues. The contestants, who were entering the house were again asked to quarantine. The quarantine process was very strict this year. They even had to undergo an RTPCR test multiple times before the show resumed. This was not only for the contestants but the entire team of Bigg Boss Kannada season 8 had to undergo the same process," Jaydev adds.

"Anyone who had to enter the Bigg Boss house or the set had to undergo the COVID-19 protocols. It was a little risky for the team to even anyone inside the house. Considering the safety of the contestants, we did not plan to invite any celebrities this season," he says.

Jaydev further adds, "The contestants had the privilege to be with their family members for good forty-three days when the show was stalled mid-way. Hence, we decided not to have the family week. Also, even if it was there, again the protocols had to be followed."