Post by : Meena
Hassan
Bigg Boss continues to grab media attention for its on-screen confrontations and the off-screen chatter they generate. In Season 19, reports about Salman Khan’s purported pay packet — rumoured between ₹150 crore and ₹200 crore per season — and suggestions that he is prompted during weekend episodes have been widely circulated.
Producer Responds to Speculation
Rishi Negi, who produces Bigg Boss 19 for Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, recently addressed these persistent stories.
He declined to confirm any precise amount, noting
“That agreement is between him and JioHotstar, so I don’t have visibility into it. Whatever numbers are doing the rounds, he earns his worth. As long as he fronts the weekend episodes, I’m content.”
On Claims Salman Is Coached
When pressed about stories that Salman is briefed on how to handle contestants or receives direction through an earpiece, Negi dismissed the idea.
“Anyone who knows Salman will tell you you can’t make him say something he doesn’t believe in,” he said.
Negi added that Salman actively follows the programme and forms his own views.
“Salman tries to watch the episodes. If he misses them, he goes through an hour or two of footage with us at the weekend to catch up on key moments. He also gets input from people he trusts who watch the show, so he stays well informed,” the producer explained.
Weekend Shows Are a Team Effort
According to Negi, the weekend instalments are shaped by Salman’s perspective, the creative team’s decisions and viewer feedback.
“He has his own sense of right and wrong. We, as creators, have ours, and audience reactions feed in continuously. We combine all of that to craft the weekend episodes,” he said.
Negi rejected suggestions that Salman is given scripted lines or steered on-air. While he would not confirm the reported ₹150 crore fee, the producer emphasised the star’s hands-on involvement in reviewing footage and influencing the weekend tone — a contribution Negi said makes him “worth every penny.”
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