Television actor Manish Goel has officially become the first wildcard contestant of Bigg Boss 20. The actor had initially appeared on the show as a guest to promote a project, but host Salman Khan later revealed that Goel would be joining the house as a contestant, taking the existing housemates by surprise. The announcement comes as the makers prepare to bring in another new entrant, whose identity remains undisclosed.
Manish Goel is a veteran of Indian television with over two decades of experience in the industry. He has featured in several well-known Hindi serials such as Bhabhi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay. His other television credits include Devi, Bhagyalakshmi, Ayushman Bhava, Tantra and Hamari Wali Good News. More recently, he was seen portraying Raghav Singh in the popular show Anupamaa. Given this diverse body of work, viewers will now be watching closely to see how his personality and interactions unfold inside the Bigg Boss house.
Beyond television, Goel has also tried his hand at films. His credits include Hum Phir Milen Na Milen, where he worked both as an actor and writer, along with the film Hanak. While his cinematic ventures allowed him to take on additional creative roles, his television work continues to remain his most recognised body of work.
A Long History With Reality Shows
This is not Manish Goel’s first brush with reality television. He competed in the inaugural season of Nach Baliye alongside his wife, Poonam Narula, with the pair finishing as runners-up. He has also appeared on shows including Zara Nachke Dikha, Say Shava Shava and Ustaadon Ka Ustaad. In 2013, he won the celebrity cooking reality show Welcome Baazi Mehmaan Nawaazi Ki. In addition to competing, Goel has hosted television programmes as well, including a stint anchoring Big Memsaab. His entry into Bigg Boss 20 adds yet another reality show credit to his career, this time in a format known for intense scrutiny of contestants’ personalities and relationships.
Goel’s entry is not the only change expected in the Bigg Boss 20 house. At the end of the episode announcing his arrival, Salman Khan revealed that a second wildcard contestant would be entering the show on October 11, 2026, though the identity of this entrant has not been disclosed by the makers. This new arrival is expected to shake up existing dynamics as contestants continue to navigate shifting alliances and competition within the house.
Bigg Boss 20 can be streamed on JioHotstar, with new episodes available online at 9 pm IST. The show also airs on Colors TV, with the television broadcast starting at 10:30 pm IST. With two wildcard entries now part of the season’s storyline, viewers will be watching how these new contestants influence the equations among existing housemates as the competition progresses.
Source: Pratidin
