Bigg Boss Season 13, which premiered on September 29, 2019, became one of the most popular and controversial seasons in the history of the reality TV series. Hosted by Salman Khan, this season brought together a mix of television actors, models, influencers, and commoners, delivering an unforgettable blend of drama, romance, rivalry, and entertainment.
The season ran for a record-breaking 140 days, making it the longest-running season at the time. One of the core components that kept viewers engaged was the voting system, which empowered the audience to influence the outcome of the show.
The Voting System Explained
Voting has always been a crucial part of Bigg Boss, giving fans the power to save or eliminate contestants. In Season 13, the voting system was made even more accessible and interactive to increase public participation.
There were primarily three methods of voting:
1. Voot App Voting
The official voting method for Bigg Boss 13 was through the Voot mobile app. Viewers could log in using their email or phone number, go to the “Bigg Boss” section, and cast their vote for their favorite contestant.
- Free to vote
- Multiple votes allowed per user per day
- Real-time updates on voting status
2. Voot Website Voting
Apart from the app, fans could also vote by visiting, navigating to the Bigg Boss section, and casting their vote. This was a convenient option for desktop users.
3. Missed Call Voting
In earlier seasons, missed call voting played a huge role, but by Season 13, it had been largely phased out. Still, during some specific weeks or for special wild-card entries, missed call voting was briefly reintroduced, with unique numbers assigned to each contestant.
Importance of Voting in Bigg Boss 13
Voting directly influenced the fate of the contestants. Each week, housemates nominated a few people for eviction, and the audience was then given the task of voting to save their favorites.
Here’s how it worked:
- Contestants with the fewest votes were at risk of eviction.
- Those with maximum public support stayed longer and gained popularity.
- The voting results were kept confidential, adding suspense and drama until the eviction episode aired.
Bigg Boss 13 Popular Contestants
Season 13 was filled with strong and popular personalities, and voting trends played a crucial role in deciding who became the frontrunner each week.
Some of the top contestants who dominated the voting polls were:
- Sidharth Shukla – The eventual winner, loved for his strong game and bold personality.
- Asim Riaz – A fan favorite and runner-up known for his physical strength and loyalty.
- Shehnaaz Gill – Dubbed “Punjab Ki Katrina,” she charmed the audience with her innocence and humor.
- Rashami Desai – A well-known TV actress who remained in the limelight throughout the season.
Each of these contestants had a loyal fanbase that actively participated in the weekly voting to keep them in the game.
Weekly Voting Trends
Bigg Boss 13 introduced mid-week evictions, surprise voting, and secret room twists, making the voting dynamics more unpredictable. Here’s a general flow of how weekly voting worked:
- Monday: Nominations took place.
- Monday to Friday: Voting lines remained open via the Voot app and website.
- Weekend Ka Vaar: Salman Khan announced the eviction based on votes.
During special tasks or finales, voting lines were sometimes opened for just 24 hours, urging fans to act fast.
Impact of Fan Campaigns on Voting
Fans played a huge role in driving the success of their favorite contestants. Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube were flooded with hashtags like:
- VoteForSid
- AsimRiazArmy
- ShehnaazGillFans
- BiggBoss13Finale
Fan pages launched online campaigns, voting drives, and even paid promotions to encourage more people to vote. This showed how fan engagement was no longer passive—viewers were now actively involved in the outcome of the show.
Controversies Around Voting
Despite a robust system, Bigg Boss 13 wasn’t free from voting controversies:
- Some fans accused the show of being biased towards certain contestants.
- Allegations of vote manipulation and fake votes emerged online.
- The producers were also criticized for extending the season, which some felt gave undue advantage to specific players.
However, Colors TV and Endemol Shine India denied these claims, stating that the results were fair and based on audience votes.
Live Voting During the Grand Finale
The Grand Finale of Bigg Boss 13 was held on February 15, 2020, and for the first time, the live voting system was used during the finale to decide the winner. This meant that the audience could vote in real-time while the final episode was being broadcasted.
This made the finale more thrilling and interactive than ever before. Ultimately, Sidharth Shukla won with a massive vote count, proving just how important fan support and voting power were in the final moments.
Legacy of Bigg Boss Voting 13
Bigg Boss 13 set a new benchmark in terms of:
- Viewer engagement
- Voting participation
- Fan interaction
It’s often referred to as the golden season of Bigg Boss, and the transparent, widely accessible voting system was a big reason for its success.
The show’s team also improved app usability, added voting reminders, and introduced user-friendly interfaces—all of which contributed to making the voting process seamless and reliable.
How to Learn From Bigg Boss 13 Voting
For future contestants or fans, Bigg Boss 13 offers key lessons:
- Consistent behavior and a strong personality attract more votes.
- Fan engagement on social media can make or break your game.
- Voting is not just a feature—it’s a full-fledged strategy.
Conclusion
The Bigg Boss 13 voting system was not just a mechanism to eliminate contestants—it became a cultural event, engaging millions across the country. With innovative strategies, real-time voting, and emotional viewer involvement, it helped shape one of the most memorable seasons ever.
If you’re a Bigg Boss fan or aspiring participant, understanding how the voting process works can help you navigate the game and the fandom better. One thing is clear: in Bigg Boss, your fans are your lifeline, and their votes can be your ultimate ticket to victory.
