Rajul Hegde in Mumbai
The celebrity reality show Bigg Boss has landed in one controversy after another in its earlier seasons. So, with season five about to commence, the suspense is growing about the new inmates.
Bigg Boss 5 starts on October 2 and will be hosted by Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt.
This season has quite a few interesting names, and a host of international guests.
This season has quite a few interesting names, and a host of international guests.
We take a look at some of the contestants in theBigg Boss house, Season 5.
Shraddha Sharma
Actress Shraddha Sharma made headlines mostly for her relationship with ex-beau Raja Chaudhary (Shweta Tiwari's estranged husband).
Raja assaulted her after the couple had a heated argument and then Shraddha was severely beaten up by him and suffered bruises and scratches all over her body.
Actress Shraddha Sharma made headlines mostly for her relationship with ex-beau Raja Chaudhary (Shweta Tiwari's estranged husband).
Raja assaulted her after the couple had a heated argument and then Shraddha was severely beaten up by him and suffered bruises and scratches all over her body.
Image: Shraddha Sharma
Celebrity transgender and social activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi continues the tradition of representing sexual minorities on the show which started with actor Bobby Darling, followed by designer Rohit Verma in season three, and Pakistan's Begum Nawazish Althat.
Laxmi was part of TV shows like Sach Ka Saamna and Raaz Picchle Janam Ka.
Laxmi was part of TV shows like Sach Ka Saamna and Raaz Picchle Janam Ka.
Image: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi
After Pamela Anderson's three-day cameo appearance on Bigg Boss last year, the channel has roped in singer Shakira for a guest appearance in the fifth season. She will enter the house at a later day.
If everything goes well, the Latin songstress will stay in the Bigg Boss house for five days.
If everything goes well, the Latin songstress will stay in the Bigg Boss house for five days.
Image: Shakira
Photographs: Reuters/Luke MacGregor
Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, 42, has confirmed his participation in the fifth season. But like Shakira, he will also enter the house at a later date.
He was part of the South African cricket team from 1992-2003 and was best known for his superb fielding.
He was part of the South African cricket team from 1992-2003 and was best known for his superb fielding.
Image: Jonty Rhodes
Nihita Biswas, 22, is the wife of smuggler and serial killer Charles Sobhraj. Last year, she married Sobhraj, who is serving life imprisonment in Nepal, and instantly acquired mini celebrity status.
Image: Nihita Biswas
Former world heavyweight boxing championMike Tyson is no newcomer to India. He made his Bollywood debut in 2007, in a music video for a Hindi film called Fool-n-Final, a comedy centred on a bunch of criminals. Like singer Shakira and cricketer Jonty Rhodes, he will enter the house at a later date.
The highly successful American boxer was known for his combative and aggressive behaviour inside and outside the ring.
The highly successful American boxer was known for his combative and aggressive behaviour inside and outside the ring.
Image: Mike Tyson
Photographs: Getty Images
Actress Mahek Chahal, who was last seen in the films Wanted and in an item song in Yamla Pagla Deewana, has been away due to a personal tragedy. But now she is back and has entered the Bigg Boss house.
Mahek hopes to stay in the house for the entire period and emerge as the winner. This will be her second reality show. She was earlier part of a Norwegian reality show, where she was the only Asian participant.
Image: Mahek Chahal 
Shonali Nagrani is a model and an actress, who has made appearances in films like Dil Bole Hadippa and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She has hosted a couple of TV shows as well.
Image: Shonali Nagrani
Pooja Mishra is a model, VJ, film actress and a socialite. This is her second reality show; she had earlier been part of The Big Switch onBindass. She has also appeared in a few music videos.
Image: Pooja Mishra
Juhi Parmar is best known for her role as the title character Kumkum in the popular TV serial. She has participated in various reality shows likePati, Patni aur Woh, Say Shava Shava, Saas v/s Bahu and the recent Maa Exchange.
Image: Juhi Parmar
Actor Shakti Kapoor is another contestant onBigg Boss this year. Thanks to his controversial image, he will be a candidate to watch out for in the house as his on-screen personality and the rumours surrounding his real life are both interesting.
Image: Shakti Kapoor
Raageshwari Loomba is a singer, actor and a VJ. After being diagnosed with Bell's palsy, the singer had almost given up on her career.
Now, she is ready to launch her first album in five years.
Image: Raageshwari Loomba
Pooja Bedi, who shot to the limelight with her stint in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, will be one of the contestants of Bigg Boss 5.
She was earlier seen in reality shows like Nach Baliye, Khatron ke Khiladi and Maa Exchange.
Image: Pooja Bedi
