By SRTeam Since its premiere in 2017, Bigg Boss Tamil—hosted by the iconic Kamal Haasan (seasons 1–7) and later Vijay Sethupathi (season 8)—has become Tamil Nadu’s most-watched and talked-about reality show. By bringing together celebrities, influencers, and everyday personalities under one roof, the show combines raw emotion, strategic gameplay, and personal transformation. Winners like Arav, Riythvika, Mugen Rao, Aari, Raju Jeyamohan, Azeem, Archana, and Muthukumaran have emerged with not just cash prizes but elevated public stature—prompting TV projects, movie roles, and digital fame.
Bigg Boss Tamil Show Theme & Format
Modeled on the Hindi Bigg Boss format, the Tamil edition locks contestants in a stylized house for 100+ days—filled with weekly tasks, nominations, and public voting. Host Kamal Haasan (later Vijay Sethupathi) moderates tasks and weekend episodes, offering commentary and guidance. The house dynamics stir alliances, conflicts, emotional arcs, and growth trajectories. Each season concludes with a grand finale, where the winner is awarded prize money (typically ₹50 lakh), a trophy, and massive audience love.
Bigg Boss Tamil Winners & Runners‑Up by Season
| Season | Year | Winner | Runner‑Up | Host | Prize Money |
| 1 | 2017 | Arav Nafeez | — (finalists: Aishwarya, Rekha) | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh |
| 2 | 2018 | Riythvika | Aishwarya Dutta | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh |
| 3 | 2019 | Mugen Rao | Sandy Master | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh |
| 4 | 2020–21 | Aari Arujunan | Balaji Murugadoss | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh |
| 5 | 2021–22 | Raju Jeyamohan | Priyanka Deshpande | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh |
| 6 | 2022–23 | Mohammed Azeem | Vikraman | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh + car |
| 7 | 2023–24 | Archana Ravichandran | Manichandra | Kamal Haasan | ₹50 lakh + car |
| 8 | 2024–25 | Muthukumaran Jegatheesan | Soundariya Nanjundan (1st), VJ Vishal (2nd) | Vijay Sethupathi | ₹40.5 lakh + bike etc. |
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 1 (2017)
Bigg Boss Tamil’s debut season premiered in June 2017, hosted by Kamal Haasan. Arav Nafeez, a model-actor known for his calm and level-headed nature, clinched the title with consistent gameplay and audience support. While official records list finalists Aishwarya and Rekha, the runner‑up isn’t widely documented. Arav’s composed interactions and problem-solving under pressure endeared him to fans, laying a strong foundation for the Tamil version of Bigg Boss.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 2 (2018)
Aired June to September 2018, Season 2 saw Riythvika win, becoming the franchise’s first female champion. Contestant Aishwarya Dutta finished second. Riythvika, an actress, connected with audiences through emotional sincerity, straightforwardness, and grit during tasks. Her win earned ₹50 lakh and widespread recognition in Tamil media.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 3 (2019)
The third season welcomed Mugen Rao, a Malaysian singer-actor, as the winner. Sandy Master was runner‑up. Mugen’s principled stance, outspoken character, and authenticity—paired with strong fan backing—powered his win. The ₹50 lakh prize was secondary to the personal branding and fame he garnered post-show.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4 (2020–21)
Aari Arujunan, actor and fitness coach, emerged champion on 17 January 2021, defeating runner‑up Balaji Murugadoss with a record-high number of votes. Aari’s humor, resilience, and consistent task-performance made him a fan-favorite. He collected ₹50 lakh and sparked renewed interest in Tamil reality TV.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 5 (2021–22)
Running from October 2021 to January 2022, this season saw Raju Jeyamohan, television actor and model, take home the trophy over Priyanka Deshpande. Ramya Krishnan temporarily co-hosted one week. Raju’s dynamic presence, emotional sincerity, and strategy made him the standout contestant. He earned ₹50 lakh and expanded his onscreen presence.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 6 (2022–23)
Season 6 climaxed in January 2023 with Mohammed Azeem winning ahead of runner‑up Vikraman. He also received a car. As a wildcard contestant and fitness trainer, Azeem stood out for honest self-expression and adaptability. His win made waves for breaking the assumed jinx on wildcard success.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 7 (2023–24)
Aired October 2023–January 2024, Season 7 crowned Archana Ravichandran—the first wildcard entrant in Tamil Bigg Boss history to win. Manichandra finished second. Archana’s charisma, strategic alliances, and adaptability in a field of 23 contestants enabled her win. She earned ₹50 lakh and a car.
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 8 (2024–25)
Hosted by Vijay Sethupathi for the first time, Season 8 finale was held January 2025. Muthukumaran Jegatheesan, former YouTube anchor and orator, won the title with strong strategic gameplay and storytelling backed by audience votes—against finalists Soundariya and VJ Vishal. His final winnings totaled ₹40.5 lakh plus gifts. This new-host twist and the less-toxic yet content-rich season left mixed reactions among fans.
Conclusion
Over eight seasons, Bigg Boss Tamil has journeyed from novelty to cultural mainstay. Champions like Arav, Riythvika, Mugen, Aari, Raju, Azeem, Archana, and Muthukumaran brought back more than prize money—they brought transformational journeys, fan followings, and career growth. From Kamal Haasan’s witty moderation to Vijay Sethupathi’s fresh hosting style, the show continues evolving. With each season, the format maintains its core: personal authenticity, strategic insight, emotional arcs, and live interactions. Whether wildcard entries or veterans—Tamil Bigg Boss celebrates real stories under constant surveillance. Who will define Season 9?