Bigg Boss 19 is gearing up for its grand premiere on August 24, 2025, on Colors TV. The promos have already dropped, and fans are excited to see Salman Khan return as host. This season comes with a fresh twist as the entire control of the house will be in the hands of the housemates. There will be no captain, but ministers instead.
However, days before its launch, the show has been caught up in a controversy involving fake casting scams.
Bigg Boss 19 Makers WARN Against Fake Casting Calls
Recently, an actor posted a video claiming that the Bigg Boss 19 team had asked him for ₹1 crore in exchange for a spot on the show. The clip went viral, raising concerns among fans and aspiring contestants.
In response, the Bigg Boss team and production company Endemol Shine India released an official statement on social media. They wrote, “Be cautious of the fake casting calls for BIGG BOSS. It has come to our attention that people are falsely claiming to be associated with us & are sending out casting calls on our behalf.”
The makers added that they never charge contestants to be part of the show and advised the public to ignore such fraudulent offers.
Past Incidents Show Similar Scams
This isn’t the first time the reality show has been linked to casting fraud. In the past, several individuals have fallen victim to such scams.
One notable case involves Dr. Abhineet Gupta, a dermatologist from Bhopal. He alleged that someone promised him a place on Bigg Boss in exchange for Rs 1 crore. When he refused, the demand dropped to Rs 60 lakh. Dr. Gupta claims he eventually paid Rs 10 lakh to a man named Karan Singh, who said he had contacts with the show’s makers. Despite this, his name never appeared in the contestant list, and promises of a wildcard entry also failed. Dr. Gupta has since filed an FIR.
Even a politician-YouTuber, Manish Kashyap, reportedly received a fake casting call from an individual named Adil recently.
Despite the controversy, Bigg Boss 19 is on track for its premiere. Salman Khan will host the first three months, after which Farah Khan, Karan Johar, and Anil Kapoor will take over in rotation for the next two months.
