Cinema VinesIn a surprising crossover of sports and television, Indian boxing legend Mary Kom has joined Salman Khan’s reality show Bigg Boss 20, bringing her fierce determination into the house. The 16‑year‑old contestant, who is already a household name for her Olympic medals and world championships, entered the house amid a wave of support from Bollywood stars.
Before the first episode aired, host Salman Khan revealed that a special video message had been sent to Mary by none other than Priyanka Chopra. In the clip, Chopra praised Kom’s resilience and strength, saying, “I am wishing you all the very best. You are going inside the Bigg Boss house, and I know this first‑hand, that how strong, resilient and determined you are.” She added a playful warning to the other housemates: “If you want to hold your own against Mary, be prepared for the long haul. Her knockout punches can be quite devastating.” Chopra wrapped up with a heartfelt “I am so looking forward to your journey. Bahut saara pyaar, I am always rooting for you.”
Chopra’s connection to Kom extends beyond the show. She famously portrayed the boxer in the 2014 biopic Mary Kom, directed by Omung Kumar. The film, which also starred Darshan Kumar and Sunil Thapa, earned critical praise, topped the opening‑week box office for a female‑led Indian film, and won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Mary’s arrival on the show was marked by a light‑hearted moment when she introduced her two sons to Salman Khan. Their playful banter quickly went viral, sparking a wave of social media chatter. The boxer wasted no time settling into the house’s dynamics, even sparking a disagreement with singer Qazi Touqeer over a bed on the very first day.
“Bigg Boss 20” premiered on September 6, featuring 16 new celebrities, including Isha Rikhi, Kanika Mann, Rhiti Tiwari, Arishfa Khan, Uditi Singh, Kushal Tanwar (aka Gullu), YouTuber ScoutOP, and actor Aman Gandhi. Contestants will have two lifelines and can only be eliminated once both are exhausted. The show streams on JioHotstar at 9 pm and on Colors TV at 10:30 pm.
