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Drama, controversies, betrayal, love stories and fights- the reality television show 'Bigg Boss' has it all. Adaptation of the Dutch reality competition show 'Big Brother', 'Bigg Boss' involves contestants, who live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world. Every week, a contestant gets eliminated based on the viewers' votes, until only one remains and wins the cash prize.

This reality TV show has 16 seasons, its own OTT spin-off and got its version in different Indian languages, with all following the same format over the years. But what has made 'Bigg Boss' so appealing to the audience despite following the same format for more than 16 years?

Why Is 'Bigg Boss' Still Popular? 

In 'Bigg Boss', several celebrities are isolated from the outside world for over three months, with more than 100 cameras following their each and every action. From being grumpy and having puffed eyes in the morning to fighting over breakfast eggs to arguing over the house's ration, these contestants become relatable to the audience.

The audience sees themselves in these contestants and relate to them to their different personalities, perceptions and choices. For the viewers, they become more than just celebrities, who were just some fictional characters before. To spice up the entertainment for the viewers, different daily and weekly tasks are given to the contestants which often leads to conflict among them.  

In an interview with Scoop Whoop, clinical psychologist Dr Jana Scrivani said that reality television shows give a false sense that we know the people we see on the screen. She added, "This sense of having a personal relationship is amplified with the ‘reality’ label, even though we are aware that it's greatly exaggerated. Close ties between family and friends are at all-time lows. Over time, we come to see the folks portrayed on the screen as friends. We identify with their struggles and triumphs. It’s much less time-consuming to take in a half an hour television show than to connect with a friend." 

Salman Khan's popularity is also the biggest reason for the success of 'Bigg Boss'. The Bollywood star has been hosting the show since its fourth season and has become irreplaceable. He is now hosting the OTT version of 'Bigg Boss', which has also gained immense popularity within two seasons. The combination of his star power and the expanding reach of OTT is a potent force that is set to propel the show to new heights of success.

His ability to connect with audiences, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds or geographic locations, is unparalleled and his magnetic appeal transcends barriers. Salman Khan's entry onto the OTT platform as the host of 'Bigg Boss' undoubtedly increased the show's popularity four-fold. Fans who have admired and followed Salman's journey from the silver screen to television has got a perfect opportunity to witness his magic on their preferred digital medium.

The Controversial Status Of 'Bigg Boss':

'Bigg Boss' has received backlash several times from the audience due to the exaggeration of certain situations inside the house. From hitting someone with a frying man to passing nasty and lewd remarks, the viewers have seen it all. These incidents have led the audience to question the integrity of the show.

The contestants were also seen having extreme outbursts and getting panic attacks during the tasks. In an interview ETimes, psychologist Sulagna Mondal said that these outbursts are repressed emotions and a form of defence mechanism.

“Every person comes with their own emotional baggage, and these Bigg Boss contestants have their own. In these games where you have to fight to get things or have to live with limited amenities, these repressed emotions and feelings overflow and the contestants tend to lose control over their sanity. With respect to defence mechanisms, you could otherwise say that these contestants tend to project their real-life frustrations in these made-up situations, which is the entertainment format of the show. It's difficult to get out of these situations especially because when you are stuck in a house for an entertainment show it feels like that's the most real experience," she said.

Nevertheless, 'Bigg Boss' holds the crown of being one of the most popular reality television shows and has successfully sustained that for the past 16 years.