Wondering who is The Lion of The 50 show? India’s biggest reality competition features 50 celebrities, zero fixed rules, a grand palace setting, and a ₹50 lakh fan prize. Here’s everything you need to know.
New Delhi: As India’s most ambitious reality competition gears up for its debut, “The 50” is set to redefine the genre with its massive scale, unpredictable twists, and viewer-centric rewards. Produced by Banijay Asia and adapted from the French format “Les Cinquante,” the show features 50 celebrities battling it out in a grand palace on Madh Island, Mumbai. Announced during the Bigg Boss 19 finale in December 2025, it promises “50 times more drama” than traditional formats. With the premiere just hours away on February 1, 2026, here’s every officially confirmed detail, based on promos, media reports, and production announcements as of January 31, 2026—no speculations included.
What Is the Concept and Format of ‘The 50’?
“The 50” is a high-stakes captive reality show where 50 celebrities compete in a “Lion’s Den” theme, emphasizing survival, strategy, alliances, betrayals, and mind games. Key elements:
• No Fixed Rules: Guidelines can change at any time, creating chaos and described as “brutal” and “disruptive.”
• Challenges and Tasks: Physical, mental, and emotional trials overseen by the mysterious “The Lion” (game master) and masked assistants (two foxes, two dogs, two rabbits).
• Team Structure: “The Lion” selects 10 captains (e.g., Shrutika Arjun, Urvashi Dholakia) who form teams of five for tasks. Winning teams gain perks and voting power; losers enter an “unsafe zone.”
• Eliminations: Contestants vote out players from losing teams—no audience voting for eliminations.
• Duration: Official promos state 50 consecutive days, though some reports mention 26 days (likely a discrepancy; promos align with 50).
• Viewer Involvement: Fans support favorites via an app, building a shared jackpot without influencing eliminations.
• Shooting Updates: Contestants entered the palace on January 25, 2026; the first task and elimination occurred by January 26.
The format is hailed as a “game-changer” for Indian non-fiction TV, focusing on scale and fan engagement.
Premiere Date, Time, and Where to Watch
• Premiere: February 1, 2026.
• Schedule: Live stream on JioHotstar from 9:00 PM IST daily; broadcast on Colors TV at 10:30 PM IST. Catch-up episodes available on JioHotstar.
Host and Production Details
• Host: Farah Khan, bringing her signature humor and sarcasm. She features in promos “investigating” “The Lion” and hyping the show’s innovation.
• Production: Banijay Asia.
• Location: Grand palace on Madh Island, Mumbai, with elaborate sets for a “Mahal” vibe.
Full List of Contestants: Rappers, Singers & Performers Competing in The 50
The diverse cast includes TV actors, reality veterans, influencers, rappers, and more—India’s largest reality ensemble. Here’s the complete list with backgrounds and ages (where available), compiled from consistent reports:
| S.No. | Contestant Name | Background/Age (Where Available) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karan Patel | TV Actor (42) |
| 2 | Archana Gautam | Reality Star (30) |
| 3 | Divya Agarwal | Reality Star (33) |
| 4 | Faisal Shaikh (Mr Faisu) | Influencer (31) |
| 5 | Monalisa (Antara Biswas) | Actor (43) |
| 6 | Vikrant Singh Rajpoot | Actor (39) |
| 7 | Ridhi Dogra | Actor (41) |
| 8 | Shiny Doshi | Actor (36) |
| 9 | Shiv Thakare | Reality Star (36) |
| 10 | Urvashi Dholakia | Actor (46) |
| 11 | Prince Narula | Reality Star (35) |
| 12 | Yuvika Chaudhary | Actor (42) |
| 13 | Sidharth Bhardwaj | Reality Star (38) |
| 14 | Rajat Dalal | Influencer (30) |
| 15 | Riddhima Pandit | Actor (35) |
| 16 | Manisha Rani | Reality Star (28) |
| 17 | Siwet Tomar | Influencer (27) |
| 18 | Digvijay Rathee | Influencer (26) |
| 19 | Shrutika Arjun | Actor (38) |
| 20 | Nikki Tamboli | Reality Star (29) |
| 21 | Arbaz Patel | Influencer (26) |
| 22 | Lovekesh Kataria | Influencer (27) |
| 23 | Archit Kaushik | Digital Creator (24) |
| 24 | Lakshay Kaushik | Digital Creator |
| 25 | Dimpal Singh | Influencer (27) |
| 26 | Chahat Pandey | Actor (26) |
| 27 | Neelam Giri | Influencer (28) |
| 28 | Nehal Chudasama | Model (29) |
| 29 | Hamid Barkzi | Reality Star (31) |
| 30 | Krishna Shroff | Entrepreneur (33) |
| 31 | Immortal Kaka | Singer (31) |
| 32 | Dino James | Rapper (34) |
| 33 | Dushyant Kukreja | YouTuber (26) |
| 34 | Sumaira Shaikh | Comedian |
| 35 | Vanshaj Singh | YouTuber/Gamer |
| 36 | Sapna Chaudhary | Singer/Dancer (35) |
| 37 | Jahnavi Kiran Killekar | Actor (27) |
| 38 | Yung Sammy | Rapper |
| 39 | Adnaan Shaikh | Influencer (28) |
| 40 | Bebika Dhurve | Reality Star (34) |
| 41 | Natalia Janoszek | Actor (35) |
| 42 | Rachit Rojha | YouTuber (27) |
| 43 | Faiz Baloch | Digital Creator (33) |
| 44 | Saurabh Ghadge | Digital Creator |
| 45 | Arushi Chawla | Influencer (30) |
| 46 | Aarya Jadhao | Rapper (24) |
| 47 | Tejaswi Madivada | Actor (34) |
| 48 | Maxtern | YouTuber (26) |
| 49 | Khanzaadi (Firoza Khan) | Rapper |
| 50 | Bhavya Singh | Digital Creator (29) |
Highlights: Four couples (e.g., Prince Narula-Yuvika Chaudhary, Monalisa-Vikrant Singh Rajpoot) add intrigue. Ridhi Dogra confirmed via X as a “digital detox.” Bebika Dhurve recently claimed Elvish Yadav (not a contestant) is banned in Dubai, amid show buzz.
Promos and Trailers Released
Multiple promos have dropped, building hype—no full trailer yet.
- December 2025 Announcement Promo: Introduces 50 contestants, no rules, “The Lion,” and the fan-prize twist.
- January 3, 2026 Farah Khan Promo: Host announces premiere, teases new era.
- January 29, 2026 Welcome Promo: Details 50 days, Rs 50 lakh fan prize, with voiceover: “From today onwards, for the next 50 days, 50 celebrities of India will play in my royal palace for a total of Rs 50 lakh… not for the celebrities. One of you fans will get this.”
- Latest Promo (January 30, 2026): Shows Karan Patel in a heated argument with Sidharth Bhardwaj during a task; “The Lion” assigns challenges; Himesh Reshammiya performs on premiere day.
Fan reactions on X highlight excitement for contestants like Manisha Rani and the format’s uniqueness.
Who Is ‘The Lion’? The Identity Mystery
“The Lion” remains unrevealed as of January 31, 2026, portrayed as a masked figure to build suspense. Farah Khan “calls” stars like Ajay Devgn in promos but discloses nothing. Reports confirm secrecy throughout; speculations include YouTubers (Elvish Yadav, Abhishek Malhan) and Bollywood icons (Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar), but no official confirmation. A potential premiere reveal is unconfirmed.
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Prizes and Winning Details
- Contestants: No cash prize; focus on survival and exposure. The winner is the last standing after eliminations.
- Fans: Rs 50 lakh goes to one viewer. Support favorites via app; if your pick wins, enter a draw. Jackpot grows through tasks and interactions—a first in India.
Interesting Facts and Why It’s a First
- Largest cast in Indian reality TV.
- Fan-prize twist shifts focus from celebs.
- Global adaptation customized for India.
- Mix of four couples and diverse backgrounds for added drama.
- “Zero rules” for unpredictable gameplay.
- Himesh Reshammiya’s premiere performance adds star power.
With searches spiking for “The 50 contestants,” “Lion identity,” and “premiere time,” this show is set to dominate 2026 reality TV. Tune in February 1 on JioHotstar or Colors TV for the action.
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