Lucknow / 21-11-2025 ……….. A formal complaint was filed by Sanjay Sharma, a resident of Rajajipuram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, seeking the registration of an FIR against the makers, producers, and broadcasters of Bigg Boss 19, including prominent entities such as Endemol Shine India, Banijay Asia, Colors TV, Jiostar India (formerly Star India), and others. The complaint, addressed to top police and government agencies, accuses the parties of deliberate acts of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and forgery related to the show’s voting process and other issues.
Key allegations include:
- Misrepresentation that audience SMS voting solely determines evictions, while evictions are allegedly decided arbitrarily by producers.
- Fabrication and tampering of voting records, resulting in saving select contestants and eliminating others against the true vote count.
- Minimum guarantee contracts and alleged scripting, contradicting claims of genuine reality content.
- Deceptive branding of deferred broadcasts as word “live” being visible on 24 hour channel’s Screen.
The complaint cites multiple sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, urging immediate FIR registration, forensic examination of voting and production records, and prosecution of all involved entities including host Salman Khan and others.
Production Team’s Detailed Rebuttal
In response, Jiostar India Private Limited (formerly Star India), the exclusive broadcaster for Bigg Boss, categorically denied all allegations in its formal reply dated 20th November 2025. Jiostar clarified its merger history, separating broadcasting responsibilities from Endemol India’s production role, and described the complaint as "factually incorrect, legally unsustainable, and wholly misconceived".
Key points from the reply:
- Bigg Boss uses a global, gamified, reality-based format, where evictions are determined by a blend of viewer engagement, editorial judgment, and creative direction—viewers voting being one input among multiple factors considered.
- The show is edited from over 20 to 22 hours of daily footage, complying with legal, editorial, and standards protocols. Disclaimers and contracts make clear the reality-based, yet curated nature of the programme.
- All participants consent to rules, risks, and the possibility of content editing, dramatization, and payments, which do not compromise the show’s reality status.
- No evidence of forgery or deliberate bias was supplied; all allegations are termed reckless, defamatory, and malicious.
- Jiostar’s team asserts full compliance with Cable Television and IT law, warning of possible legal counters for defamation and misuse of process, and demanding immediate withdrawal of the complaint.
Ongoing Dispute
The confrontation highlights tensions over reality TV transparency, audience voting integrity, and editorial independence as the complainant has demanded inquiry based of CCTV Raw footage, voting record raw data and contracts of participants of the show including Hosts. The matter may escalate legally if any party proceeds with further action or litigation as threatened.
Sanjay can be contacted
via Email
sanjaysharmalko@icloud.com
&
sukaylegal@gmail.com
and
Mobiles 9454461111 & 7991479999 & 9565-24x7x365
Sanjay’s complaint and Jiostar’s reply is available here for free download and use.
