Bigg Boss 8, officially “Bigg Boss 8: Sabki Lagegi Vaat,” holds the distinction of being the franchise’s longest season to that point — extended by a full month and rebranded mid-run as “Bigg Boss Halla Bol,” with a host change to match. Here’s the complete breakdown of how it all played out.
Season 8 at a Glance
The season premiered September 21, 2014, on Colors TV, and concluded January 3, 2015 — though the show was then extended under the “Halla Bol” banner, ultimately wrapping up its finale on January 31, 2015, after 132 days in total with 19 housemates. Salman Khan hosted the original run, but the extension saw filmmaker Farah Khan take over hosting duties for the final stretch.
Who Won Bigg Boss 8?
TV actor Gautam Gulati, known for his role in Diya Aur Baati Hum, was crowned the winner, taking home the trophy and a cash prize reported at ₹50 lakh. He won based on the highest number of audience votes among the finalists, with his straightforward, “clean game” — avoiding house politics, as he put it afterward — widely credited for his popularity. Gulati specifically named fellow contestant Puneet Issar as a key ally and source of support throughout his run.
Runner-Up and Top Finishers
Actress Karishma Tanna finished as runner-up, having started the season as one of Gulati’s on-show rivals before the two developed a more cordial relationship in the closing weeks. In a notable finale twist, the top three finalists — Gulati, Tanna, and RJ Pritam Singh — were each offered ₹25 lakh (reported elsewhere as ₹2.5 million) to walk away from the competition. Pritam Singh accepted the offer and exited, later saying he felt beating Gulati would have been extremely difficult. Ali Quli Mirza and Dimpy Ganguly were the first two finalists eliminated on finale night, ahead of the final three.
Notable Contestants
Season 8’s cast included a mix of TV actors, a non-celebrity contestant, and reality show veterans:
- Gautam Gulati — Actor (Diya Aur Baati Hum) — Winner
- Karishma Tanna — Actress — Runner-up
- RJ Pritam Singh — Non-celebrity contestant — Walked away with ₹25 lakh
- Ali Quli Mirza — Actor — Eliminated pre-finale
- Dimpy Ganguly — Model, reality TV personality — Eliminated pre-finale
- Puneet Issar — Actor, Gulati’s close ally in the house
- Diandra Soares — Model, known for an on-screen connection with contestant Upen Patel
Hosting and the Halla Bol Extension
Salman Khan hosted the bulk of the season before the show’s unusual month-long extension, during which filmmaker Farah Khan stepped in as host for the rebranded “Halla Bol” phase that led into the eventual finale.
Final Thoughts
Bigg Boss 8’s extended, two-phase structure — plus a genuine mid-season host handover — made it one of the more unusual entries in the franchise’s history from a production standpoint. Gautam Gulati’s win, built on sustained popularity rather than late-season drama, and the walk-away twist that saw RJ Pritam Singh cash out rather than face a near-certain loss, both remain frequently referenced moments from the season.