Aug 10, 2026 3:50pm IST

‘Bigg Boss 20’: Decoding the Karan-Arjun Theme of Salman Khan’s Reality Show

Urmimala Banerjee

Senior News Editor

Salman Khan’s “Bigg Boss” is undoubtedly the show that the audience looks forward to annually in India’s reality TV space. The fan engagement on social media skyrockets with fans cheering on their favorites and engaging in brutal fan wars. There are two terms from the promo of “Bigg Boss 20” that have fueled fans’ imagination - Karan Arjun and ‘Tathasthu’ (your boon will be granted). Here is a look at some of the fan theories around “Bigg Boss 20.”

A Game of Destiny 
Fans believe that makers will bring in contestants who share some history. It might be somewhat similar to “Bigg Boss 13,” where contestants like Shehnaaz Gill, Rashami Desai and Sidharth Shukla had ties with Himanshi Khurana, Arhaan Khan and Arti Singh, respectively. 

The Rebirth Theory 
Rakesh Roshan’s “Karan Arjun” (1995) centered on the reincarnation of Salman Khan’s Karan and Shah Rukh Khan’s Arjun, who return to avenge the wrongs committed against them in their previous lives. The film’s mention has led fans to speculate that some former contestants could return to the “Bigg Boss” house. Several past contestants continue to have a strong connection with the show and a loyal fan following, including Hina Khan, Shilpa Shinde, Manu Punjabi and Kamya Panjabi, among others.

Double Trouble 
A sizable section of the fandom believes there could be two houses this season. One for former contestants and another for new ones. According to this theory, viewers could follow developments in both houses for some time before the contestants eventually come together in one big house. A similar format was experimented with in “Bigg Boss 15” as well.

The Power of Two
Every year, the show features around 15 to 16 contestants. This time, the makers have reportedly planned to pair them into teams of two. The team format worked well for “The Alliance,” another reality show developed by Banijay Asia.

“Bigg Boss,” which airs on television and streaming platforms, will premiere on September 6. This time, the franchise will feature six regional versions, all coming together for one big pan-India premiere.

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