By SRTeam Bigg Boss 16, also known as Bigg Boss: Game Badlega, Kyunki Bigg Boss Khud Khelega, began on 1 October 2022 and ran for 134 days, concluding its grand finale on 12 February 2023 on Colors TV and Voot.
Salman Khan returned as host for the thirteenth consecutive season, bringing his signature blend of fun, tough talk, and emotion to the Weekend Ka Vaar episodes.
Bigg Boss 16 Winner & Grand Prize
At the finale held on 12 February 2023, rapper‑singer MC Stan (real name Altaf Shaikh) was declared the winner of Bigg Boss Season 16. He walked away with the coveted trophy, a cash prize of around ₹31.8 lakh, and a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios car. His victory surprised many, given his initial uncertainty about the game—but his authenticity and fan army earned him the title.
🥈 Runner‑up and Other Finalists
Shiv Thakare, known from Bigg Boss Marathi, emerged as the first runner‑up. His strong gameplay, leadership and close bond with MC Stan made their journey unforgettable.
Priyanka Chahar Choudhary finished in second runner‑up (third place). She was a strong contender throughout and had a significant fan base.
The top five finalists were:
- MC Stan – Winner
- Shiv Thakare – First runner‑up
- Priyanka Chahar Choudhary – Second runner‑up
- Archana Gautam – Fourth place
- Shalin Bhanot – Fifth place
Contestants Line-up
Season 16 launched with 17 housemates, each adding their own flavour to the show:
- MC Stan
- Shiv Thakare
- Priyanka Chahar Choudhary
- Archana Gautam
- Shalin Bhanot
- Abdu Rozik (Tajik singer)
- Ankit Gupta (TV actor)
- Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia (actress–model)
- Sumbul Touqeer Khan (TV actress)
- Tina Datta (actress)
- Soundarya Sharma (actress–model)
- Gautam Vig (actor)
- Sreejita De (entered as wildcard)
- Vikkas Manaktala (wildcard entry)
- Manya Singh
- Gori Nagori (dancer)
- Gautam Vig… (some names repeated above for clarity)
Wildcard entries like Vikkas Manaktala and Sreejita De added new twists in mid‑season.
Host & Show Dynamics
Salman Khan served as the main host, steering the show through highs and lows with his presence and weekend interactions. His commentary often turned serious or witty based on contestants’ behaviour, making the show relatable and dramatic.
Unlike previous editions, this season emphasized the “Bigg Boss himself playing a game”, adding strategy and unpredictability to its format.
Season Highlights
- MC Stan surprised viewers by coming across as sincere, funny, and original—he did not rely on drama but his personality and rap‑style commentary found huge resonance on social media.
- Shiv Thakare and MC Stan’s friendship, known as “Mandali”, became a show highlight.
- Priyanka’s straightforward nature and emotional arc kept her in contention till the last days.
- The finale included live musical performances and appearances by Bollywood celebs like Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel.
✅ Conclusion
Bigg Boss Season 16 stood out for its fresh faces, emotional storytelling, and unpredictable twists. MC Stan‘s win showcased that staying true to oneself can win hearts—alongside his unexpected, yet well‑deserved, victory. Shiv Thakare, with his grounded leadership, and Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, with her strong persona, completed the top three. With Salman Khan at the helm and a diverse set of housemates, the season remains one of the most memorable editions of Bigg Boss.