Bigg Boss 20 is struggling to keep viewers hooked, with Salman Khan‘s unfiltered avatar and Qazi Touqeer‘s entertaining antics failing to stop a sharp decline in TRP ratings and viewership. The season, which premiered on September 6, 2026, on JioHotstar and Colors TV, has been widely criticized for a weak contestant line-up and a lack of must-watch moments. Hindustan Times recently described it as a “painfully boring season” that even Salman’s unfiltered hosting and Qazi’s entertainment cannot rescue.
Bigg Boss 20 TRP Ratings and UK Viewership Drop
The numbers tell a clear story. In the UK, Bigg Boss 20 has yet to cross the 10,000-viewer mark since launch, with weekday episodes averaging around 4,000 viewers. Even Weekend Ka Vaar, historically the show’s strongest performer thanks to Salman Khan, has failed to deliver the usual uplift. Earlier UK ratings data showed the show dropping to just 4,000 viewers on some days, giving Colors a channel share of only 0.02%. In India, the grand premiere drew 6.4 million views on JioHotstar, but the show still ranked second behind Samay Raina‘s India’s Got Latent.
Salman Khan Addresses Boring Contestant Line-Up Criticism
Viewers have been criticizing the makers over the contestant line-up since the premiere, with many calling the casting “boring” due to the lack of popular faces. During a Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Salman Khan addressed the criticism directly while talking to contestant Amrapali Dubey.
“Humne socha chaanth chaanth ke contestants laayenge lekin kabhi kabhi humare selection mein Kami padh jaati hai.” (We thought we would carefully select the contestants, but sometimes there are shortcomings in our selection.)
Salman also told the contestants it was a privilege for him to host them and sarcastically noted that their rule violations and misbehavior would “make him proud”. This season features a mix of actors like Mahhi Vij, Aasif Khan, Aman Gandhi, and Amrapali Dubey; singers such as Qazi Touqeer, Rhiti Tiwari, and Yung DSA; YouTuber ScoutOP; content creator Arishfa Khan; and sports personality Mary Kom. Many viewers felt this line-up lacked the star power needed to drive the kind of drama that fuels a successful Bigg Boss season.
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Qazi Touqeer’s Entertainment Value and Fan Reactions
Qazi Touqeer has emerged as one of the more entertaining contestants on the show. The Fame Gurukul winner from 2005 has brought his theatrical energy and flamboyant personality back to national television. His catchphrase “I’m a rockstar baby” and his playful antics have become a major talking point on social media.
In one memorable episode, Qazi pretended to witness something supernatural in the middle of the night, scaring his fellow housemates before revealing it was all an act to entertain the audience. He said:
“I am controlling my laugh. I am having an Oscar-level performance. I am entertaining 100 crore people of India. It’s just beautiful. These guys think I am crazy.”
In another episode, Qazi shouted for his medicines after a task, prompting Bigg Boss to send him to the medical room. Once there, he told the doctor that nothing was wrong and that he was simply “playing the game”. Qazi also explained Gen Z dating terms like “situationship” and “benching” to Mary Kom, turning the exchange into a comic scene. Some fans appreciate his efforts. One fan wrote, “He is giving full entertainment. Love him.”. However, others feel he is doing too much. One user commented, “Watching BB after a very long time just for #QaziTouqeer, but bro is doing a little extra now; he needs to rein in a little”.
Rhiti Tiwari’s Mid-Week Eviction and Controversies
The season saw its first mid-week eviction with Rhiti Tiwari, daughter of actor-singer and politician Manoj Tiwari, leaving the house. Unlike the regular elimination process based on audience voting, Rhiti’s exit came as part of a captaincy task involving the show’s unique lifeline mechanism. She had already been left with only one life, and when the power was used against her, she lost her final lifeline.
Her exit followed Rohed Khan and Isha Rikhi, who were previously eliminated. Rhiti’s time on the show was marked by multiple confrontations, including a major controversy involving Qazi Touqeer. During a diss battle that formed part of a captaincy task, Rhiti directed abusive and derogatory remarks towards Qazi and Uditi Singh. Salman Khan confronted her over her language during Weekend Ka Vaar, calling her performance “the worst diss ever”.
Social Media Reactions and Celebrity Criticism
Social media reactions to Bigg Boss 20 have been mixed. Former contestant Asim Riaz took a dig at the show shortly after the premiere, writing “Another Flop Season Loading” on X. Several fans defended the show, with one user pointing out that this was not the first time he had called a Bigg Boss season a flop. Another viewer wrote, “I’m not watching this season, it’s too much boring”.
Stand-up comedian Sunil Pal slammed the show, calling it a “gutter show” and telling Salman Khan to quit hosting before preaching about morals. He said, “The kind of people who are responsible for society’s downfall are turned into stars on Bigg Boss”. Salman Khan’s unfiltered response to trolls, where he removed his hat and shirt on camera to challenge body-shaming and age-related criticism, drew support from some industry figures. Pakistani actor Humayun Saeed backed Salman over the age criticism.
Why Bigg Boss 20 Is Struggling to Connect
The show’s slow start has been attributed to a combination of factors. A weaker-than-expected contestant line-up reduced initial interest, while the growing appeal of JioHotstar may be accelerating the migration of younger viewers away from traditional television. The launch of JioHotstar in the UK has added a fresh dimension to viewing habits, offering not only regular episodes but also a 24-hour live feed and multiple regional versions of the format.
Bigg Boss has a long history of turning quiet beginnings into headline-making television. This season has yet to create a defining moment capable of cutting through the noise. The show is available to watch on JioHotstar and Colors TV.
Also Read: Bigg Boss Telugu 10: Aman Masud and Thrigun Get Into Physical Fight During Task, Internet Shocked
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