Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 has finished with Kalyan Padala receiving the trophy, marking an incredible trip from an ordinary person to a winner. Although bringing the show to a close gave him the public’s immediate attention and money, past winners testify that the title is not synonymous with long-term success. Now that there are nine seasons completed, let us see what the lives of the winners of Bigg Boss Telugu are like today—and where they have gone after the dust of the spotlight settled.
Season 9: Kalyan Padala
Kalyan Padala is the newest winner of Bigg Boss Telugu by entering the house as an ordinary person and surpassing stars. He is just the second commoner to reach this milestone in the show’s history. Kalyan, who is fresh from his victory, is basking in the limelight and recognition of the masses, as there are already fans who are very curious to know whether he will go for movies, television, or digital platforms in his next project.
Season 8: Nikhil
Nikhil surprised many by clinching the Season 8 title, defeating strong contenders. Though he received ₹55 lakh in prize money, his Telugu career hasn’t seen much movement since. Reports suggest he is exploring opportunities as a lead actor in Kannada cinema and is also appearing in Telugu web series.
Season 7: Pallavi Prashanth
One of the most controversial winners, Pallavi Prashanth entered as a commoner but was already known as a YouTuber and farmer’s son. His victory ignited public discontent and even legal actions against the show, which lost its luster for a short time. Currently, Prashanth is reportedly directing his attention toward business dealings and enjoying a life of ease, but the transformation of his public image has elicited varied responses from netizens.
Season 6: Singer Revanth
Revanth’s victory brought expectations of a major career boost. The Bigg Boss title did not bring him new opportunities despite his initial appearance on a few shows. He persists as a singer in Tollywood, keeping a low-profile but steady presence.
Season 5: VJ Sunny
From journalism to television serials, VJ Sunny used Bigg Boss as a platform to step into lead film roles. Nevertheless, his films were not successful at the box office. He has thereafter expanded his business outreach by setting up a restaurant in Hyderabad and still looking for acting opportunities.
Season 4: Abhijit
Abhijit won hearts by being strong against the opposition inside the house. Health issues, however, kept him away from the industry for a while even though a busy film career after Bigg Boss was expected. Today he is living life as a tourist, and he has recently judged Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9.
Season 3: Rahul Sipligunj
Rahul Sipligunj is acclaimed besides as one of the most triumphant winners after Bigg Boss. To his folk music career, he got a significant boost after the show, and then global acknowledgment came when Naatu Naatu from RRR won an Oscar. By performing on the Oscar stage, Rahul secured his position as a popular singer. He has just got married, which indicates a new chapter in his private life.
Season 2: Kaushal Manda
Kaushal’s triumph was energized by the huge “Kaushal Army”, thus he became one of the most discussed winners. After a short period of being a famous person, he disappeared from the spotlight. He has made a return to the films recently with his part in Kannappa.
Season 1: Shiva Balaji
The very first season, which was conducted by Jr NTR, awarded Shiva Balaji the title of the winner. After a long period in the movie industry as a main actor and a supporting one, Shiva underwent a transformation of sorts post-Bigg Boss by diverting his attention to business. He afterwards, however, resumed to the film industry with an important part in Kannappa and is now working with the Manchu Vishnu team.
The Reality After Reality TV
Bigg Boss Telugu has been an instant success for some contestants, but the real question is how long the success will last, depending on the post-show decisions. On one side, there are winners who took full advantage of the platform to create permanent careers, while on the other side, there are those who realized that without good chances, the fame is only for a short period. The spotlight is on Kalyan Padala as he takes his first steps into the world beyond Bigg Boss, and the viewers are eager to know what kind of direction he is going to take.
