Bigg Boss 20: Who is Manish Goel, the first official wildcard contestant on Salman Khan’s reality show?

The competition on Salman Khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss 20 is getting more intense, with the makers introducing a new face into the house. Television actor Manish Goel has entered the show as its first official wildcard contestant. He joined Salman during Saturday’s Weekend Ka Vaar episode before making his way into the house. For those wondering who Manish Goel is and where they may have seen him before, here is everything you need to know about the actor.

Manish Goel enters Bigg Boss 20 as wildcard contestant

Manish made his entry during the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode, where Salman Khan welcomed him on stage. The two initially led the contestants to believe that Manish had come to promote an upcoming show. However, the actor was actually there to join the competition as a wildcard contestant.




During his appearance, Manish also shared his impressions of the existing housemates. He described contestant Mahhi Vij as calculative and his take on her approach to the game. Mahhi, meanwhile, was quite happy to see him, as the two have known each other for a long time.

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Who is Manish Goel?

Manish Goel is a television actor who has worked across daily soaps, films and non-fiction programmes. Over the years, he has appeared in several popular Hindi television shows, including Bhabhi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay. His other television credits include Devi, Bhagyalakshmi, Ayushman Bhava, Tantra and Hamari Wali Good News. He has also appeared in Anupamaa.

Apart from television, Manish has worked in films such as Hum Phirr Milein Na Milein, for which he also received writing credit, and Hanak. His experience across different formats has given him exposure to both scripted entertainment and reality television.

Manish is no stranger to competitive reality shows. He participated in the first season of celebrity dance programme Nach Baliye with his wife, Poonam Narula. The couple finished as runners-up in the competition.

His other non-fiction television appearances include Zara Nachke Dikha, Say Shava Shava and Ustaadon Ka Ustaad. In 2013, he won the celebrity cooking reality show Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki. His entry into Bigg Boss 20 marks another appearance in a reality show, this time in a format that brings contestants together under one roof.

Who is Nakul Dhull, and where to watch Bigg Boss 20?

Manish's entry comes as the show also hints at another possible wildcard contestant. Social media influencer Nakul Dhull, popularly known as Mitthu Don, has been linked to an upcoming entry through the show's promos. However, his participation in the show as wildcard contestant in not confirmed yet.

Nakul is a content creator from Faridabad, Haryana, and an engineering graduate. He recently attracted criticism over viral videos in which he made controversial remarks about women, including referring to them as the “lower gender”. His possible entry could bring further attention to the show's upcoming episodes.

Hosted by Salman Khan, Bigg Boss 20 is available to stream on JioHotstar at 9 pm daily and airs on Colors TV at 10.30 pm, according to the schedule provided. With Manish now inside the house, viewers will be watching to see how the actor navigates the alliances, disagreements and challenges that define the reality show.