Salman Khan (Reuters)
Bollywood actor Khan smiles during a promotional event in New Delhi.Reuters

The news of Salman Khan's presence in Big Boss Season 5 has finally come true. The actor starts shooting for the first episode of the reality show. 

The Bollywood actor who was in Dublin for the shooting of his upcoming film "Ek Tha Tiger" has  returned to India for the launch of Bigg Boss Season 5 in Mumbai's Mehboob Studio on Thursday.

Big Boss Season 5, co-hosted by Sanjay Dutt  along with Khan, will be aired on the TV channel, Colors, from Oct. 2, 2011.

Meanwhile the buzz is that Khan might host the reality show for only two episodes.

There will be a change in the timing slot for the show on Colors TV.

"Bigg Boss 5 is our flagship show and with a very strong fiction show line-up during the week, we believe it fits well in the 10.30 pm time slot. 'Na Aana Is Des Laado', which currently occupies this slot, will be moved to the 1 pm afternoon slot which is currently dominated by repeat telecasts," said Colors TV Head, Content Ashvini Yardi.

Colors TV has special arrangement to attract maximum viewership during weekends by changing the time slot and adding some flavour to the reality show.

"On weekends, Bigg Boss 5 will air at 10 pm which will include the eviction episode (with Aakhri Farmaan) and some unseen tidbits from the show. This is being done with the aim of building up viewership on weekends and keeping everyone tied to their seats in anticipation of who will be leaving the Bigg Boss house," she added.

Last year, Big Boss 4 managed to bag a good opening with 4.8 TVR (C&S 4+, HSM), leaving behind the Commonwealth Games 2010 opening ceremony in the viewership ratings.