1. Introduction & Premiere Details
Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 kicked off with a grand premiere on September 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM IST. The show airs on Star Maa and streams live on JioHotstar, offering viewers both TV and OTT access to the drama unfolding inside the house.
The excitement is palpable, as host Nagarjuna Akkineni makes his much-anticipated return, promising another season packed with surprises and high-stakes drama.
2. Unique Format: Owners vs Tenants & Double Houses
This season introduces a novel “double house” concept, where contestants are divided between two separate houses—raising the intensity and competition from Day One.
Branded as “Owners vs Tenants” or “Ranarangam – Battlefield”, the setup creates an immediate power dynamic, marking a strategic shift in how participants position themselves and forge alliances.
3. Host & Theme
Nagarjuna Akkineni returns as the charismatic host, bringing his trademark mix of authority, wit, and empathy to the show. His role continues to be a key element of the show’s appeal.
This season’s thematic focus—“Agnipariksha”—symbolizes a fiery trial, hinting at emotionally charged challenges and test-of-character tasks that await contestants.
4. Contestant Profiles: Celebrities & Commoners
A total of 15 contestants entered the Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 house—9 celebrities and 6 commoners, selected after a competitive pre-show.
Celebrity Contestants:
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Thanuja Puttaswamy (Thanuja Gowda) – Known for her roles in Mounaragam and other notable projects.
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Flora Saini (Asha Saini) – A seasoned actor across South and Hindi film industries.
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Sanjjanaa Galrani – Actor known across Telugu and Kannada TV.
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Bharani Shankar – TV actor best recognized for Karthika Deepam; received heartfelt support from brother Naga Babu.
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Jabardasth Emmanuel – Comedian from the popular Jabardasth show.
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Shrasti Verma – Actor and former assistant choreographer.
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Rithu Chowdary
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Ramu Rathod – Singer.
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Suman Shetty – Actor during earlier seasons.
Commoner Contestants (via Agnipariksha):
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Srija Dammu
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Priya Shetty
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Demon Pawan
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Harita Harish
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Kalyan Padala
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Maryada Manish
Entry Dynamics:
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The celebrities entered House 2, the “tenant” side with fewer comforts.
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The commoners earned spots in House 1, the “owner” styled house, giving them a strategic advantage from the start.
5. Agnipariksha Pre-show: The Gate to the Main House
The “Agnipariksha” pre-show process was a multi-stage elimination that decided which commoners made it into Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9:
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Public submissions were narrowed via screenings, group tasks, and interviews.
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The top 15 were chosen and further tested through challenges judged by former contestants like Abijeet, Bindu Madhavi, and Navdeep, resulting in 6 finalists entering the main show.
This layered and public vetting—plus audience voting—added transparency and fan engagement to the selection process.
6. Launch Highlights & Social Buzz
The grand launch was dramatic:
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Nagarjuna announced the Owners vs Tenants twist, with celebrities relegated to less luxurious settings.
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Maryada Manish was the surprise final commoner entry, introduced live on stage.
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Contestant relationships quickly formed; for example, Priya Shetty was tasked with choosing a cooking partner and selected Sanjjanaa Galrani, sparking early alliances.
The launch’s unexpected turns and power dynamics have already set the tone for a gripping season.
7. Audience Reactions & Media Coverage
Buzz Highlights:
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Fans are actively discussing the celebrity vs commoner battle on social media.
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Login/celebrity voters are monitoring house comfort disparity and strategic implications of the double-house format.
Media Features:
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Naga Babu publicly backed Bharani Shankar, generating emotional support posts online.
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Coverage across entertainment outlets (Times of India, Indian Express, Hans India, Gulte, etc.) spotlighted the bold format, pre-show drama, and participant list.
8. SEO Metadata
Meta Title
Bigg Boss Telugu 9 Contestants 2025: Celebrities & Commoners, Double House Twist & Launch Highlights
Meta Description
Discover the Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 contestants – 9 celebrities vs 6 commoners in a brand-new double-house “Owners vs Tenants” format. Learn about the host Nagarjuna, the Agnipariksha pre-show, key launch moments, and early alliances shaping the competition.
Final Thoughts
Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 has kicked off with unprecedented energy and a game-changing format. With commoners seated in luxury and celebrities starting with lesser comforts, the dynamics are defined, and alliances are being tested from the very first episode.