Ashmit Patel

Claim to fame: Bollywood struggler. Actress Amisha Patel’s brother. Most famous for an MMS scandal involving then-girlfriend Riya Sen.

Why Bigg Boss? “After rejecting it in all the previous three seasons, I decided to get into the house this time because my heart and my gut told me that this would be my year,” Ashmit told t2 hours before entering the house.

Rahul Bhatt

Claim to fame: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s son. Gained notoriety last year following revelations that David Headley, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, had befriended him.

Why Bigg Boss? “I was a victim of circumstances and I want the people of India to know that through Bigg Boss. They should judge me on the basis of what I am, not who I am.”

Aanchal Kumar

Claim to fame: Model. Recently linked to cricketer Yuvraj Singh.

Why Bigg Boss? To up the show’s glam quotient. A pretty face (and hotbod) is always welcome in the house.

Sara Khan

Claim to fame: Soap star. Most famous as Sadhana in TRP topper Bidaai.

Why Bigg Boss? Quit Bidaai for Bollywood. When Bollywood didn’t happen, shifted sights to Bigg Boss.

Manoj Tiwari

Claim to fame: Bhojpuri actor-singer-director.

Why Bigg Boss? Fun factor. Carries the Bhojpuri legacy forward after Ravi Kissen in season one and Raja Chaudhury in season two.

Abbas Kazmi

Claim to fame: 26/11 accused Ajmal Kasab’s former lawyer.

Why Bigg Boss? “I have taken up the show as a challenge to test myself. I am not going to use Bigg Boss to justify why I decided to defend Kasab,” Kazmi told t2 before entering the house.

Shweta Tiwari

Claim to fame: Soap queen. Most famous as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay.

Why Bigg Boss? Mostly jobless after an appearance on Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao. Seen in a cameo in last Friday’s small release Benny Aur Babloo. Ex-husband Raja Chaudhury was a finalist in season two of Bigg Boss.

Veena Malik

Claim to fame: Pakistani actress. Whistle-blower in the spot-fixing scandal involving former boyfriend and Pakistani cricketer Mohammed Asif.

Why Bigg Boss? “I want to rebuild my life after the cricket controversy. There is an anti-Veena Malik campaign in India that needs to be stopped. The Indian audience has to know the real me,” Veena told t2.

Sameer Soni

Claim to fame: Film and TV actor. Priyanka Chopra’s designer friend in Fashion. Last seen in I Hate Luv Storys.

Why Bigg Boss? A not-so-happening acting career. Could well turn out to be the dark horse like Rahul Roy, who aced season one.

Bunty Chor

Claim to fame: Real-life thief with over 250 cases registered against him. Was the inspiration for Abhay Deol starrer Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!.

Why Bigg Boss? Instant fame.

Seema Parihar

Claim to fame: Bandit queen convicted for killing over 70 people and abducting close to 200.

Why Bigg Boss? Er, to terrorise fellow-contestants?

Hrishant Goswami

Claim to fame: Model

Why Bigg Boss? Eye candy

Begum Nawazish Ali

Claim to fame: Pakistani drag queen. Television anchor and actor.

Why Bigg Boss? Love thy neighbour.

Sakshi Pradhan

Claim to fame: MTV Splitsvilla 2 winner. Embroiled in an MMS scandal a year ago where her nude pictures were circulated on the Internet.

Why Bigg Boss? Once bitten, twice lucky? MTV Roadies winner Ashutosh Kaushik went on to win Bigg Boss 2.