Bigg Boss is set to return on October 6, with Salman Khan once again hosting the popular reality show. This season, the theme is “time ka taandav,” exploring the concepts of past, present, and future. The Bigg Boss 18 house draws inspiration from caves and forts, featuring large motifs, detailed sculptures, and warm, earthy tones, a stark contrast to previous seasons.
Inside the Bigg Boss 18 house
This year’s house is filled with secret entrances, hidden doors, and cleverly placed cameras. Certain areas are designed to be less noticeable. Upon entering the garden area, large pillars and a pathway lead to the house, dividing the space and creating a striking first impression. The bathroom takes inspiration from a Turkish hammam, and its entrance features a large Trojan horse that offers a seating area, providing a view of the house from above.
As always, the house is luxurious, with construction taking 45 days and involving nearly 200 workers to bring it to life.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Art director Omung Kumar shared insights into the theme, saying, “This year we decided to do something Indian because it hasn’t been done for a long time. One specification the creative team had was that they wanted levels in the house. India is so beautiful, and we hadn’t tapped into that, so we did. The entrance is a tribute to the pre-historic era. This year is about the claustrophobia of the cave. Everything is muted in terms of colours, but it will eat you up later on. There are hidden entrances and secret doors in the house. The best part is that the house will be confusing initially for the contestants.”
Kumar also shared that work on the set began right after ‘Bigg Boss OTT 3’ concluded. “It took 45 days to make the set, work started soon after OTT. It takes 5-6 days to expand and open the house. We started straight away.” He added that the most challenging part of designing the Bigg Boss set is the floor plan. “Designing the house takes half a day, but it is the floor plan that takes a lot of time and is made first. That planning is very important. The steps in the bedroom were the most complicated idea this year because it can get tiring for the contestants after a point.”
On the budget for designing the house, Kumar admitted that he tends to exceed it. “It’s always a fight. We know what the budget is, but I always go overboard. The budget goes for a toss, my office keeps calling, but I believe the name matters. When Vanita and I go to shop, we go overboard, but then we have to balance it out. We channel ourselves to decide where the money should be spent and how much time it takes. Are we doing night shifts? That’s where the money goes because 100-200 people are working. So, we have to be smart about what should be seen and what shouldn’t.”
Kumar shared that his favorite spot in the house is the sitting area with an elephant motif, but he recalled a moment of doubt regarding another large design element. “When we made that huge face, I didn’t like it at all. I thought we messed up; something felt wrong. Then we cracked the face. We strive to make the house picture-perfect every year,” he concluded.