Unlike traditional reality shows, The 50 will feature 50 celebrity contestants competing across nearly 50 episodes in a series of entertaining and challenging tasks. The show will see regular eliminations, with one ultimate winner emerging at the end of the season.
Alok Jain of JioHotstar revealed that what truly sets The 50 apart is how viewers will be involved in the game. Instead of only contestants competing for the prize, fans will also get a chance to win money.
Viewers will be able to choose and “follow” their favourite contestant early in the season. Once their choice is locked, the contestant will effectively play on behalf of their fans. If the chosen contestant wins, the prize money will be shared among the fans who backed them.
“This is a show where contestants are not just playing for themselves — they are playing for their fans,” Jain explained.
Fans will initially be allowed to change their chosen contestant based on early performances. Once the selection period ends, the pick becomes permanent, adding a strategy element to audience participation.
This format turns viewers into active participants rather than passive voters, bringing a sports-style prediction and reward system to Indian reality TV.
Though the final list of contestants is yet to be officially announced, several celebrities are reportedly being approached. Names doing the rounds include:
Dhanashree Verma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Pratik Sehajpal, Saba Azad, Emiway, Orry, Shweta Tiwari, Ankita Lokhande, Kusha Kapila, Anshula Kapoor, Uorfi Javed, Mr Faisu, Nikki Tamboli, Karan Patel, Mallika Sherawat, Vivian Dsena, Jay Bhanushali, Sreesanth, and many more.
With 50 celebrities competing, the show is expected to bring together influencers, TV stars, film personalities and sports figures under one roof.
Industry insiders believe The 50 could redefine non-fiction television in India by mixing celebrity competition, fan engagement and real-money rewards into one format. If successful, it may set a new benchmark for how reality shows are produced and consumed in the country.
With Farah Khan’s energetic hosting style and a massive celebrity line-up, expectations are high that The 50 will become one of the biggest TV events of 2026.
