Cinema VinesBigg Boss Malayalam 8 is set to launch its latest season on Sunday, September 6, with a grand opening episode scheduled for the evening. The much‑anticipated launch will air at 7 PM on Asianet and will also be streamed digitally on JioHotstar. The show’s charismatic host, veteran actor Mohanlal, will return to guide viewers through the premiere, marking a significant moment as the franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
While the final roster of contestants will be revealed during the launch, a number of names have already surfaced in media reports. The lineup is expected to include a mix of actors, television personalities, social media figures and other public figures. However, until the show formally introduces the participants, these names remain unconfirmed. The pre‑show “Agni Pareeksha” began with 40 aspirants and was narrowed down to 12 finalists by judges Ranjini Haridas, Riyas Salim and Akhil Marar, with audience voting and task performances influencing the final cut.
Among the 12 finalists announced ahead of the launch are Shijin, Shamon, Eldo, Shyam, Tashi, Rakesh, Shijulal, Lolita, Shibin, Pooja, Sona and Afianas. Their presence in the pre‑show does not guarantee entry into the Bigg Boss house, as the definitive decision will be made during the launch episode. In addition to the commoner contestants, reports have linked several well‑known personalities to the upcoming season, including Gayathri Suresh, Kadal Komban, Mridula Vijay, Sreelakshmi Arakkal, Vicky Thug, Rini Ann George, Nobi Biju, Aishwarya Madhu, Sumesh Chandran, Kali, Sreelaya, Vivek Gopan, Neha Fathima, Gautham Sasi, Muhammed Aseef, Jaseela Parveen and Rahul Easwar. Lolita, Eldo, Rakesh and Shijin have also been mentioned as potential commoner contestants.
The launch episode is part of a broader celebration, as the Bigg Boss franchise rolls out new editions in six Indian languages on the same night. The Malayalam version will be steered by Mohanlal, while the Hindi, Bangla, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil editions will run concurrently, underscoring the brand’s expansive reach and milestone anniversary.
