Bigg Boss Telugu: Here is the complete list of contestants from Junior NTR-hosted show

The opening season of Bigg Boss Telugu was kicked-off on Sunday, July 16 on Star Maa. 14 contestants from film and television backgrounds have entered the Junior NTR-hosted show with the hopes of winning the trophy.

The inaugural episode was started at 9 pm and came to an end by 11 pm. The evening was loaded with some good performance from the contestants. 

Prior to the launch, the complete list was leaked online, yet the show managed to draw the huge attention of the audience. The fans of Junior NTR had a busy day online to ensure that the launch of Bigg Boss Telugu becomes the talk of the town.

The show started with Junior NTR's grand entry. He looked dapper in a black suit and red tie. According to sources, he was part of non-stop eight-hour shoot. His whole-hearted laughs impressed the viewers initially, but as the show progressed it started irritating the audience. Nonetheless, this is his first assignment as an anchor and he gets full marks for keeping up the same energy levels throughout the show.

Here is the complete list of 14 contestants as per the chronological order:

1) Archana aka Veda Sastry
Archana aka Veda Sastry is the first contestant to enter Bigg Boss Telugu. She has acted in over 35 movies in all the four South Indian film industries - Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.

2) Sameer
Telugu actor Sameer is second to enter the house. He is a character artist who has worked in popular movies like Sri Ramadasu, M Perfect etc.

3) Mumaith Khan
Mumaith Khan, the actress who is known for item songs is the third contestant. She has worked in all the leading film industries of India like Telugu, Tamil and Hindi languages.

4) Prince Cecil
Prince Cecil is the fourth contestant to enter Bigg Boss Telugu. He started his career with Neeku Naaku Dash Dash in 2012.

5) Singer Madhu Priya
Madhu Priya is a budding playback singer, who shot to fame with "Adapillanamma Nenu Adapilanani" song in Idea super on Maa Tv channel. She has sung songs for the songs in movies like Fidaa, Daggaraga Dooramga and few other movies.

6) Sampoornesh Babu
Sampoornesh Babu predominantly works in Telugu. He started his acting career in Srikanth's Mahatma in 2009.

7) Jyothi
Jyothi is known for her special numbers in the films like Ranga The Donga, Chitrangada, Oh My God, Arddhanaari, Bhadram Be Careful Brotheru, Kevvu Keka, Oh My Love, etc.

8) Singer Kalpana
The daughter of singers TS Raghavendra and Sulochana, she is a multi-faceted talent. Apart from singing songs, she is a dubbing artist, lyricist nd an actress. She started her singing career at the age of 5 and has recorded over 1500 numbers.

9) Mahesh Kaththi
Mahesh Kaththi is the housemate number nine. He too is a multi-faceted talent who is ana actor, writer, director and film critic. His Minugurulu script has found place in the Oscar Library's permanent core collection.

10) Anchor Katti Karthika
Katti Karthika is a TV anchor, who appears on daily live show on V6 news.

11) Shiva Balaji
Shiva Balaji turned hero with Idi Maa Ashokgadi Love Story in 2003. He has worked in over 20 movies in Telugu. Arya, Pote Poni and Shambo Shiva Shambo are some of his well-known movies.

12) Hari Teja
Hari Teja of A..Aaa fame is the 12th contestant to enter the house. He was also many of many television serials that include Manusu Mamatha, Tali Kattu Shubavela, Abhishekam, Rakta Sambandam, Sivaranjani etc.

13) Aadarsha Balakrishna
Aadarsh Balakrishna is a multilingual actor. He made his debut in Bollywood film Iqbal. Some of his popular works are: Happy Days and Maro Charitra.

14) Dhanraj
Dhanraj is the contestant number 14. The actor made his debut with Teja's Jai. He has worked with movies of stars like Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Nani and Pawan Kalyan.

Live Updates

The first season of Bigg Boss Telugu will take off on Sunday, July 16, and mark the TV debut of superstar Junior NTR. Below, we bring you live updates of the launch and about 14 contestants:

10.42 pm: Dhanraj is the contestant number 14. The actor made his debut with Teja's Jai. He has worked with movies of stars like Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Nani and Pawan Kalyan.
 10.45 pm: Aadarsh Balakrishna is a multilingual actor. He made his debut in Bollywood film Iqbal. Some of his popular works are: Happy Days and Maro Charitra.
 10.30 pm: Hari Teja of A..Aaa fame is the 12th contestant to enter the house.
 10.25 pm: Siva Balaji turned hero with Idi Maa Ashokgadi Love Story in 2003. He has worked in over 20 movies in Telugu. Arya, Pote Poni and Shambo Shiva Shambo are some of his well-known movies.
 10.21: pm: TV anchor Katti Karthika, who is a popular name among the Telugu audience.
 10.15 pm: Mahesh Kaththi is the housemate number nine. He is an actor, who started his career with Edari Varsham.
 10.10: pm: Singer Kalpana is the eight contestant to enter Bigg Boss Telugu.
 10.00 pm: Jyothi, who has done a lot of supporting roles, is part of Junior NTR's show.
 9.55 pm: Sampoornesh Babu predominantly works in Telugu. He started his acting career in Srikanth's Mahatma in 2009.
 9.50 pm: Madhu Priya is the fifth contestant.
 9.45 pm: Prince Cecil is the fourth contestant to enter Bigg Boss Telugu. He started his career with Neeku Naaku Dash Dash in 2012.
 9.38 pm: Mumaith Khan, the actress who is known for item songs is the third contestant. She has worked in all the leading film industries of India like Telugu, Tamil and Hindi languages.
 9.30 pm: Telugu actor Sameer is second to enter the house. He is a character artist who has worked in popular movies like Sri Ramadasu, M Perfect etc.
 9.22 pm:  Archana aka Veda Sastry is the first contestant to enter Bigg Boss Telugu. She has acted in over 35 movies in all the four South Indian film industries - Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.

In the opening season of Bigg Boss Telugu, there will be 14 contestants from TV and film backgrounds. They will be locked inside the house for 70 days and completely disconnected from the outside world.

Bigg Boss is one of the most popular reality TV shows in India. The Hindi version of this show, which is based on the original Dutch Big Brother format developed by John de Mol, has completed 10 seasons and is now gearing up for its 11th season. Following its success, the show was also adapted to Bengali and Kannada, which also went on to become a big hit with the audiences.

The Tamil version anchored by Kamal Haasan is also underway and has gained popularity among the audience. It has to be seen how the Telugu audience will receive this show.

Coming to the contestants, many names have been doing rounds and the latest reports say that Shiva Balaji, Mumaith Khan, Tejaswi Madivada, Dhanraj, Adarsh, Sampoornesh Babu, Archana, Madhu Priya, Kalpana, Mahesh Kaththi, Jyothi, Sameer, Hari Teja and Katthi Kartheeka have been approached.

Bigg Boss Telugu will be aired at 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday, while it will be telecast at 9.30 on weekdays.