Five-time world champion boxer Mary Kom has entered Bigg Boss 20 as a contestant after days of speculation over the new season’s line-up.
The Olympic medallist joined Salman Khan’s reality show on Sunday, 6 September. She will now spend the next 105 days inside the Bigg Boss house, facing a challenge far removed from the boxing ring.
Before Mary began her reality TV journey, actor Priyanka Chopra sent her a special video message during the premiere. Chopra played Mary in the 2014 biopic Mary Kom and has remained close to the boxer since the film.
Chopra wished Mary luck and urged her to remain the same person inside the house. She also issued a playful warning to the other contestants by reminding them of Mary’s powerful knockouts.
“Mary, you just remain the way you are. Play with an open heart,” Chopra said in her message, before sending her love and expressing excitement about watching her journey.
Mary Kom, directed by Omung Kumar and backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, released in 2014. The film won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award at the 62nd National Film Awards.
For Mary, Bigg Boss 20 marks a new chapter after a celebrated boxing career. Her sporting achievements have made her a familiar name, but the reality show will test her in a very different environment.
Bigg Boss 20 premiered on 6 September with Salman Khan as host. The show streams on JioHotstar at 9pm and airs on Colors at 10.30pm.
The season also features Aasif Khan, Kanika Mann, ScoutOp (Tanmay Singh), Amrapali Dubey, Mahhi Vij, Yung DSA, Qazi Touqeer, Arishfa Khan, Rohed Khan, Isha Rikhi and Gullu (Kushal Tanwar), among others.
