Bigg Boss Telugu 9 Dual-House Format Revealed – Who Are Contestants?

The ninth edition of Bigg Boss Telugu has launched with a new pre-qualifying round, marking a first for the reality franchise. Titled Agnipariksha, this stage introduces non-celebrity participants competing for entry into the main competition.

The inaugural episode of Agnipariksha aired Friday and featured 45 contestants engaging in mental and physical challenges designed to test their strategy and endurance. Unlike previous seasons, these preliminary rounds are being held before the official start of Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9.

Actors Navdeep, Abijeet, and Bindu Madhavi are on the judging panel for Agnipariksha. Television anchor Sreemukhi serves as the host of this phase, which is being filmed at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad.

Season 9 will introduce two separate houses for the first time in the show’s Telugu version:

* One house will host celebrity participants.

* The other will feature commoners, including those selected from Agnipariksha.

Producers say the change responds to audience feedback from Season 8 and is designed to create a different viewing experience.

The full season of Bigg Boss Telugu 9, hosted by actor Nagarjuna, will officially begin streaming September 7 on Jio Hotstar.

While the final list is under wraps, social media speculation suggests the inclusion of several notable personalities, including:

* Anusha Ratnam, known for her Instagram following

* Divya Nikita, nicknamed “Veg Fried Rice Momo Girl”

* Prasanna Kumar, referred to as the “One-Legged Warrior”

* Influencer “Demon Pawan”

* Entrepreneur Maryada Manish

* Hriday, the “Mask Man”

* Shakib, known as “Social Media’s Bad Boy”

Episodes of Agnipariksha are currently available to stream on Jio Hotstar. Access requires a paid subscription.