Bigg Boss Telugu, the Telugu adaptation of the popular reality TV show Bigg Boss, has captivated audiences since its debut in 2017. Airing on Star Maa and available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, the show has completed eight successful seasons, each bringing its own drama, entertainment, and memorable moments. The series has been hosted by prominent Tollywood personalities, adding to its widespread appeal.
Broadcast Languages
Bigg Boss has been adapted into multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, and Telugu, catering to diverse regional audiences across the country.
Winners of Bigg Boss Telugu Seasons 1 to 8
Below is a comprehensive list of the winners, runners-up, hosts, and prize money for each season of Bigg Boss Telugu:
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Host | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siva Balaji | Aadarsh Balakrishna | Jr NTR | ₹50 lakh |
| 2 | Kaushal Manda | Geetha Madhuri | Nani | ₹50 lakh |
| 3 | Rahul Sipligunj | Sreemukhi | Nagarjuna | ₹50 lakh |
| 4 | Abijeet Duddala | Akhil Sarthak | Nagarjuna | ₹25 lakh |
| 5 | VJ Sunny | Shanmukh Jaswanth | Nagarjuna | ₹50 lakh |
| 6 | LV Revanth | Srihan | Nagarjuna | ₹50 lakh |
| 7 | Pallavi Prashanth | Amar Deep | Nagarjuna | ₹50 lakh |
| 8 | Nikhil Maliyakkal | Gautham Krishna | Nagarjuna | ₹55 lakh |
Seasonal Highlights
Season 1 (2017) – Siva Balaji
- Winner: Siva Balaji
- Runner-Up: Aadarsh Balakrishna
- Prize Money: ₹50 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 16
- Show Duration: 16 July 2017 – 24 September 2017
- Host: Jr NTR
The inaugural season premiered on July 16, 2017, with actor Jr NTR as the host. The show featured 16 celebrity contestants and spanned 70 days. Siva Balaji, an Indian actor and producer known for his work in the Telugu film industry, emerged as the winner, taking home a prize of ₹50 lakh. His notable performances in films like “Arya” (2004) had already established him as a recognized figure in the industry.
Season 2 (2018) – Kaushal Manda
- Winner: Kaushal Manda
- Runner-Up: Geetha Madhuri
- Prize Money: ₹50 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 18
- Show Duration: 10 June 2018 – 30 September 2018
- Host: Nani
Season 2 launched on June 10, 2018, with actor Nani stepping in as the host. This season introduced a mix of 15 celebrities and 3 commoners, totaling 18 contestants, and extended over 112 days, making it the longest season in Bigg Boss Telugu history at that time. Kaushal Manda, an actor and model, clinched the title and the ₹50 lakh prize. Kaushal had previously appeared in supporting roles in films like “Rajakumarudu” (1999) and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019.
Season 3 (2019) Rahul Sipligunj
- Winner: Rahul Sipligunj
- Runner-Up: Sreemukhi
- Prize Money: ₹50 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 17
- Show Duration: 21 July 2019 – 3 November 2019
- Host: Nagarjuna
Premiering on July 21, 2019, Season 3 was hosted by veteran actor Akkineni Nagarjuna. The season featured 17 celebrity contestants and lasted for 105 days. Rahul Sipligunj, a playback singer and songwriter known for his folk songs and unique voice in the Telugu music industry, won the season’s title and the ₹50 lakh prize. He has worked as a singer in more than 50 Telugu films and gained popularity through his independent music videos on YouTube.
Season 4 (2020) – Abijeet Duddala
- Winner: Abijeet Duddala
- Runner-Up: Akhil Sarthak
- Prize Money: ₹25 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 16
- Show Duration: 6 September 2020 – 20 December 2020
- Host: Nagarjuna
Season 4 began on September 6, 2020, with Nagarjuna continuing as the host. The show welcomed 19 contestants and spanned 105 days. Abijeet Duddala, an actor who made his debut with the film “Life Is Beautiful” (2012), emerged as the winner. He received a prize of ₹25 lakh and a bike. Abijeet also appeared in all three seasons of the web series “Pelli Gola.”
Season 5 (2021) – VJ Sunny
- Winner: VJ Sunny
- Runner-Up: Shanmukh Jaswanth
- Prize Money: ₹50 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 19
- Show Duration: 5 September 2021 – 19 December 2021
- Host: Nagarjuna
The fifth season premiered on September 5, 2021, with Nagarjuna hosting once again. This season featured 19 contestants and lasted for 106 days. VJ Sunny, an actor and video jockey known for his role in the TV serial “Kalyana Vaibhogam,” won the title. He took home ₹50 lakh, a bike, and a plot worth ₹25 lakh. Sunny has also hosted Telugu TV shows like “Just For Men” and has been named among Hyderabad Times’ Most Desirable Men several times.
Season 6 (2022) – LV Revanth
- Winner: LV Revanth
- Runner-Up: Srihan
- Prize Money: ₹50 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 21
- Show Duration: 4 September 2022 – 18 December 2022
- Host: Nagarjuna
Season 6 kicked off on September 4, 2022, with Nagarjuna continuing as the host. The show included 21 contestants and lasted for 106 days. L. V. Revanth, a playback singer known for his songs in Telugu and Kannada films, emerged as the winner. He received a prize of ₹10 lakh, a car, and a plot worth ₹25 lakh. Revanth has sung around 200 songs and was also the winner of “Indian Idol 9.”
Season 7 (2023) – Pallavi Parshnath
- Winner: Pallavi Prashanth
- Runner-Up: Amar Deep
- Prize Money: ₹50 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 18
- Show Duration: 3 September 2023 – 17 December 2023
- Host: Nagarjuna
The seventh season premiered on September 3, 2023, with Nagarjuna as the host. The show featured 19 contestants and concluded on December 17, 2023. Pallavi Prashanth, a farmer and content creator known for his informative videos on agriculture, won the title and a prize of ₹35 lakh. His journey from a commoner to the winner showcased his determination and resonated with the audience.
Season 8 (2024) – Nikhil Maliyakkal
- Winner: Nikhil Maliyakkal
- Runner-Up: Gautham Krishna
- Prize Money: ₹55 lakh
- Number of Contestants: 20
- Show Duration: 1 September 2024 – 15 December 2024
- Host: Nagarjuna
Season 8 began on September 1, 2024, with Nagarjuna continuing as the host. The season featured 22 contestants and concluded on December 15, 2024. Nikhil Maliyakkal, an actor and YouTuber known for his work in Kannada and Telugu cinema and television, emerged as the winner. He received a prize of ₹55 lakh and a car. Nikhil’s journey in the Bigg Boss house was marked by his strategic gameplay and strong social connections
Conclusion
Bigg Boss Telugu has been a cornerstone of entertainment in Telugu households, delivering drama, emotions, and unexpected twists with each season. From the magnetic hosting of Jr NTR and Nani to Nagarjuna’s charming presence, the show has set a high standard in regional reality TV. The diverse winners and their inspiring stories reflect the cultural richness and competitive spirit of the Telugu audience. As fans eagerly await the next season, Bigg Boss Telugu continues to dominate the hearts of viewers, showcasing the power of resilience, strategy, and personality
