Bigg Boss 5, also known as “Double Waat,” ran on Colors TV from October 2011 to January 2012 under a rare dual-hosting arrangement, before television’s ideal “bahu” pulled off one of the franchise’s most understated victories. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Season 5 at a Glance
The season premiered October 2, 2011, and concluded January 7, 2012, running 98 days with 20 total housemates (14 hand-picked contestants entered at launch, with others joining later). Uniquely, this season was co-hosted by both Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan — a pairing not repeated in later seasons.
Who Won Bigg Boss 5?
Juhi Parmar, best remembered for her long-running role as Kumkum in the soap opera of the same name, was crowned the winner, taking home the trophy and a cash prize of ₹1 crore — notably higher than most other seasons’ prize amounts. She had been among the very first contestants to enter the house on day one and remained there through the entire 98-day run. Parmar’s win came as a genuine surprise even to her — she said afterward she’d doubted the audience would even notice her, having spent much of her time doing household chores rather than seeking the spotlight. Filmmaker Karan Johar had publicly backed her to win ahead of the finale, a prediction that turned out correct.
Runner-Up and Top Finishers
Actress Mahek Chahal finished as runner-up, with actor Siddharth Bhardwaj placing third. Actor Amar Upadhyay and Akashdeep Saigal (widely known by his nickname “Sky”) rounded out the top five finalists.
Notable Contestants
Season 5’s cast included TV actors, a controversial firebrand contestant, and — in one of the more talked-about mid-season entries — Bollywood’s first mainstream adult-film-industry crossover star:
- Juhi Parmar — Actress (Kumkum) — Winner
- Mahek Chahal — Actress — Runner-up
- Siddharth Bhardwaj — Actor — Third place
- Amar Upadhyay — Actor — Fourth/Fifth place
- Akashdeep Saigal (“Sky”) — Contestant, known for his combative personality and close friendship with Parmar — Fourth/Fifth place
- Sunny Leone — Actress, entered as a high-profile wildcard and was evicted shortly before the finale
- Pooja Bedi — Actress
- Pooja Missra — Contestant, known for her volatile temperament and frequent conflicts
- Shraddha Sharma — Contestant
- Raageshwari Loomba — Singer
Hosting and Grand Finale
Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan co-hosted the season, with the grand finale drawing actor Imran Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar to promote their film Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, alongside a high-energy performance segment from Malaika Arora Khan featuring several of her best-known dance numbers.
Final Thoughts
Bigg Boss 5’s win for Juhi Parmar is often cited as proof that the format doesn’t always reward the loudest, most combative contestant — her patient, low-drama approach quietly outlasted more volatile personalities like Pooja Missra and Akashdeep Saigal over the course of the season. Combined with a rare dual-hosting format and one of the franchise’s most talked-about wildcard entries in Sunny Leone, Season 5 remains a distinctive, if comparatively understated, chapter in the show’s history.