From the girl who stopped a police van to Badshah’s wife and a popular content creator — here’s the complete list of names currently linked to Bigg Boss 20 ahead of its September 6 launch

New Delhi: India’s popular reality show Bigg Boss is set to return with its 20th Hindi season. Salman Khan will host the new season, while the makers have introduced a new “Tathastu” theme with the idea of “Extra Jeevan Daan”. The show will also bring back “Fans Ka Faisla”, which gives viewers a direct role in choosing a contestant.

Fans want to know who will enter the Bigg Boss 20 house on 6 September 2026. This article explains the confirmed show details, the ongoing fan vote, and the backgrounds of the most discussed names, including viral Mumbai protest figure Rhiya Ahir, Punjabi actress Isha Rikhi and content creator Arishfa Khan, who people also search as Aashifa Khan. It also covers the larger list of names that reports have linked to the show and separates confirmed information from speculation.

Bigg Boss 20: Premiere Date, Platforms and “Tathastu” Theme

Bigg Boss 20 will premiere on 6 September 2026. JioHotstar will stream each episode first at 9:00 pm, while Colors TV will telecast it at 10:30 pm. Salman Khan will return as the host for another season.

The official theme is “Tathastu”, which the makers have also presented in some promotions as “Tathas-two”. The theme focuses on the idea of a “vardaan”, or boon. The promos have introduced the phrase “Extra Jeevan Daan”, which suggests that contestants could receive an extra life or another chance in the game.

Early reports and trailers suggest that the makers could change the usual eviction format. The season could feature two houses or a system that gives evicted contestants another chance to return under certain conditions. However, the makers have not revealed the complete rules yet. Viewers will learn the exact format after the season starts.

This season also comes at a time when several language versions of the franchise will launch around the same period. These include Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and other editions. The simultaneous launches show JioStar’s plan to attract viewers during the festive season.

Fans Ka Faisla Returns: Rhiya Ahir vs Love Gill

The makers brought back the “Fans Ka Faisla” format on 25 August 2026. The format allows viewers to choose one contestant who will enter the Bigg Boss house as an official housemate.

This time, viewers can choose between Rhiya Ahir and Love Gill. Voting started on the JioHotstar app on 25 August and will close at 11:59 pm IST on 2 September 2026.

The makers are expected to announce the winner during the grand premiere on 6 September. Salman Khan will then welcome the contestant chosen by the audience.

The twist gives viewers direct control over the contestant line-up even before the show begins. The contest has also created a major online discussion because Rhiya Ahir became widely known after her involvement in a recent protest in Mumbai.

Who Is Rhiya Ahir? The Viral Girl Who Stopped a Police Van

Rhiya Ahir, also known in some reports as Rhiya Ekousiya or Rhiya Yadav, is 27 years old. She works as a fashion model, actor, anchor and entrepreneur in Mumbai.

Ahir trained in theatre for around 13 years. She initially studied psychology at Sathaye College but later moved to distance education and studied English Literature at the University of Mumbai. Also She has appeared in music videos, advertisements and dance projects, including the recent song “Dilbara”.

She also founded Rhiyasat, a luxury handcrafted apparel label that works with Indian artisans.

Ahir gained national attention in July 2026 during Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in Mumbai. The protests focused on alleged NEET paper-leak irregularities and wider concerns about the examination system.

During a protest near Shivaji Park in Dadar, Ahir walked towards the gathering and saw a police van carrying detained student protesters. She stood in front of the vehicle in the rain with her arms stretched out. She refused to move for around 40 minutes and continued to block the vehicle until authorities released the detainees.

Videos and photographs of the incident spread widely on social media. The images of Ahir standing in the rain in front of the police vehicle became one of the most recognisable visuals from the demonstrations.

Ahir was not a NEET aspirant. She also clarified that she did not attend the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

After the video went viral, she faced heavy online criticism. People accused her of seeking attention, while others targeted her with slut-shaming, deepfake threats and false claims related to adult content.

Ahir filed cyber complaints with the Mumbai Police. She said the online harassment threatened her family’s safety and damaged her reputation.

In interviews, Ahir described her decision to stop the police van as an instinctive reaction. She said, “I just did the Bombay thing.” Then She later responded to criticism about her possible Bigg Boss entry by pointing to her years of theatre training and work as a professional artist. She also said that she needs to earn a living through her work.

Her inclusion in the “Fans Ka Faisla” vote has created another controversy. Some people have accused her of using the protest incident to gain fame. Ahir has rejected that criticism and has highlighted her long theatre career and professional experience.

Who Is Love Gill?

Love Gill, whose full name is Lovepreet Kaur Gill, is around 29 years old. She works as a Punjabi model and actress and comes from the Amritsar region. Some reports have linked her to Tarn Taran Sahib.

Gill studied at Guru Nanak Dev University. She started her career as a model and later appeared in Karan Aujla’s music video “Facts”.

She has also acted in Punjabi films such as Haterz, Hanji Kaun? and Kuriyan Jawan Bapu Pareshaan. She also appeared in the television series Tu Patang Main Dor.

Gill remains active on social media and has welcomed the opportunity to enter Bigg Boss through the fan vote. She has described the opportunity as the “ultimate Extra Jeevan Daan”. She has also promised to bring Punjabi energy and honesty if viewers select her.

The two candidates have very different backgrounds. Rhiya Ahir became widely known after her recent protest appearance and has a relatively limited mainstream entertainment profile. Love Gill already has experience in modelling, Punjabi films and television.

The audience will decide which contestant gets the opportunity to enter the house.

Isha Rikhi: Punjabi Actress Linked to Bigg Boss 20

Isha Rikhi was born on 9 September 1993 in Chandigarh. She works as a model and actress and has mainly appeared in Punjabi films.

Also She made her acting debut with Jatt Boys Putt Jattan De in 2013. She later appeared in films including Happy Go Lucky, Bade Changay Ne Mere Yaar Kaminey, What the Jatt, Ardaas and the Hindi film Nawabzaade, released in 2018.

In 2026, Rikhi confirmed her marriage to rapper and singer Badshah, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, after months of speculation. Her mother shared wedding photographs earlier in the year, and the pictures quickly attracted attention online.

Rikhi later confirmed the marriage during an Instagram Ask Me Anything session and also shared a photograph of the couple.

However, some recent reports have called her Badshah’s “ex-wife” while discussing Bigg Boss 20 and alleged harassment claims. Primary biographical information continued to list the marriage as current in mid-2026. Viewers should therefore treat reports about their relationship status carefully until both parties make any fresh statement.

Several entertainment outlets have reported that the Bigg Boss makers approached Isha Rikhi and that she agreed to join the show. A Digital News Hub report that circulated widely on 26 August 2026 also claimed that she had confirmed her participation.

However, neither the show’s makers nor Rikhi had officially announced her entry at the time of writing.

If she joins the show, Rikhi could bring both her Punjabi film experience and additional public interest because of her high-profile personal life.

Arishfa Khan: From Child Actor to Digital Star

Arishfa Khan, whose name people also search as Aashifa Khan and through similar spellings, was born on 3 April 2003 in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

She started her career as a child artist. She appeared in television shows such as Chhal – Sheh Aur Maat, Jeannie Aur Juju, Ek Veer Ki Ardaas… Veera, Uttaran and Meri Durga, among others.

She later built a large following through social media. She now works as a content creator, influencer and entrepreneur.

Arishfa has spoken in interviews about stepping away from full-time acting at one stage. She has also discussed friendships and competition within the entertainment industry.

Reports published between 26 and 27 August 2026 claim that the makers have finalised Arishfa Khan for Bigg Boss 20. These reports have also linked her entry with Isha Rikhi.

However, the official production house has not confirmed either entry at the time of writing.

Arishfa’s young fan base and strong social-media presence could help the show attract younger viewers and generate more online engagement.

Full Rumoured Contestant List: Who Else Could Enter?

The makers have not released the official contestant list yet. Several names have appeared in media reports between June and August 2026, but the reports do not carry the same level of certainty.

Strong or “Almost Confirmed” Buzz

Some outlets have described these names as strong contenders or almost confirmed:

• Anjali Arora
• Geeta Basra
• Rajat Bedi
• Kushal Tanwar, also known as Gullu
• Elnaaz Norouzi
• Niti Taylor
• Sunil Pal
• Showik Chakraborty

However, later reports have disputed Rajat Bedi’s reported confirmation.

Other Frequently Mentioned Names

Media reports have also frequently mentioned:

• Mahhi Vij
• Faisal Shaikh, also known as Mr Faisu
• Yukti Kapoor
• Pearl V Puri
• Kirti Mehra
• Ruru Thakur
• Santy Sharma
• Mohit Sehgal
• Khushi Dubey
• Mary Kom
• Qazi Touqeer
• Mouni Roy

Mr Faisu has publicly denied reports about his participation, although some reports have continued to claim that the makers are in talks with him.

Some reports have also claimed that Mouni Roy discussed a high fee with the makers.

Mary Kom, the Olympic boxer, has also appeared in some speculation about the cast.

Earlier or Weaker Names

Some other names appeared in earlier reports but later faced denials or lost momentum. These include:

• Jennifer Winget
• Pranali Rathod
• Aashay Mishra
• Giaa Manek
• Varuun Jain

Sources close to the production later described these reports as baseless.

Contestants Who Declined or Denied Participation

Some celebrities have either reportedly declined the show or publicly denied reports about their participation.

Jannat Zubair reportedly declined the offer.

Renuka Shahane confirmed that she declined to participate. She also said the makers did not approach her husband, actor Ashutosh Rana.

Shivangi Joshi publicly denied fake videos that claimed she would enter Bigg Boss 20.

Other names, including Asim Riaz, Shehnaaz Gill, Paras Chhabra and Uorfi Javed, appeared in speculation earlier in the year. Recent reports suggest that the makers have moved away from these possibilities.

The makers reportedly want to create a mix of television actors, digital creators and high-profile public personalities.

What Could the “Extra Jeevan Daan” Twist Mean?

The “Tathastu” theme has increased speculation about major changes to the usual Bigg Boss format.

Reports have discussed possibilities such as two houses, contestants entering in pairs or a special zone where eliminated contestants could receive another chance.

The “Extra Jeevan Daan” phrase supports the idea of a second-chance system. However, the makers have not officially explained these rules.

Viewers will have to wait for the season to begin before they know exactly how the twist works.

Why Does the Bigg Boss 20 Line-Up Matter?

Bigg Boss has traditionally mixed established television personalities, actors, social-media creators and unexpected public figures.

Season 20 appears ready to continue that formula. However, the reported casting of Rhiya Ahir adds a different element because she gained attention through a recent protest rather than through mainstream entertainment.

Isha Rikhi could bring Punjabi cinema experience and additional interest because of her reported personal-life developments. Arishfa Khan could attract younger viewers through her large digital following.

The “Fans Ka Faisla” format also gives viewers a role before the house officially opens. The audience’s choice could influence the first alliances, friendships and public support inside the house.

Several important questions remain unanswered:

• How many contestants will enter the house?
• Which names will the makers officially confirm?
• What exactly will the “Extra Jeevan Daan” rule mean?
• Will the show allow or restrict political and protest-related discussions?
• How much will contestants earn?
• When will the makers introduce wildcard contestants?

Until the makers publish the official roster, viewers should treat every name outside the Rhiya Ahir-Love Gill fan-vote contest as reported or rumoured. The industry has already withdrawn or corrected several earlier claims.

The Road to the 6 September Premiere

The voting battle between Rhiya Ahir and Love Gill will close at 11:59 pm IST on 2 September. The grand premiere will take place on 6 September.

The premiere should reveal the contestant chosen by the audience and introduce the rest of the official housemates. Salman Khan’s promotional material has focused on audience power and the “Tathastu” concept, which suggests that contestants’ choices could have lasting effects on their journey.

For viewers who want to follow Bigg Boss 20, the key details are simple. The show will begin on 6 September on JioHotstar and Colors TV. The audience will currently decide one contestant through the “Fans Ka Faisla” vote. Rhiya Ahir brings recent protest-related visibility and online controversy, while Isha Rikhi and Arishfa Khan have emerged as two of the most frequently reported names for the main line-up in late-August reports.

A long list of television actors, digital creators, models and public personalities also remains connected to the season through reports, negotiations, denials and speculation.

Ultimately, only the contestants who walk through the Bigg Boss doors on premiere night will form the official Season 20 line-up. Until then, the fan vote, casting reports and speculation will continue to keep viewers guessing.