JioHotstar drops a lavish palace promo teasing rule-free chaos, Lion-led games and celebrity clashes — but the internet says it looks like Bigg Boss meets Squid Game on steroids.
Ever since the first look of the upcoming reality show The 50 dropped online, curiosity has been at an all-time high. Now, with JioHotstar unveiling a full-fledged palace tour promo, the buzz has officially exploded — and so has the trolling. While the makers are selling it as a high-concept, power-packed survival game set inside a mysterious royal palace, netizens are already calling it “Bigg Boss Pro Max,” “Indian Squid Game,” and “Sasta Squid Game.”
And honestly, the comparisons are hard to ignore.
Slated to premiere on February 1 on JioHotstar and Colors TV, The 50 promises spectacle, drama, betrayal, strategy and psychological warfare — all wrapped inside a jaw-dropping palace guarded by lions, literally and metaphorically.
But is it genuinely fresh, or just Bigg Boss with better wallpaper and louder drama? Let’s break down everything the new promo revealed — and what the internet really thinks.
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Inside The 50’s Grand Palace: Where Power Meets Madness
On Wednesday, JioHotstar dropped a visually rich promo giving viewers a guided tour of the palace that will host all the chaos. The palace is described as a “home of power and mystery,” guarded by towering lion imagery, setting the tone for dominance, fear and survival.
From sweeping corridors to massive halls, the set looks nothing short of cinematic. The vibe leans heavily into fantasy-meets-dystopia aesthetics — clearly inspired by global reality formats.
Two standout zones instantly caught attention:
The Arena:
A Squid Game-style arena where the mysterious Lion will organise high-stakes games for contestants. This is where alliances will be tested, strategies will collapse, and eliminations will likely sting the most.
The Lion’s Den:
A confrontation zone where contestants face off in one-on-one challenges. Think Bigg Boss confession room meets gladiator face-off energy.
The palace also includes a massive drawing room with plush sofas, three luxurious bedrooms, and wide open spaces designed to fuel confrontation, politics and drama.
The promo boldly declares:
“Yahan ka bas ek rule hoga — yahan koi rules nahi honge.”
(There will be only one rule here — there will be no rules.)
Translation: Expect chaos.
According to the narration, only those with “strong hearts and minds sharper than a lion’s claws” will survive. Sounds dramatic? Absolutely. Over-the-top? Even more.
Note: For optimal viewing on mobile devices, rotate the screen.
Internet Reacts: Bigg Boss Pro Max, Squid Game Desi Edition?
As soon as the promo dropped, social media lit up with hilarious reactions and savage comparisons.
One user joked,
“We got a new Bigg Boss before GTA 6, lol.”
Another commented,
“Indian Squid Game.”
A third wrote,
“Bigg Boss Pro Max version.”
Someone even quipped,
“If Bigg Boss happened during the Mahabharata times.”
And the most brutal one:
“Sasta Squid Game.”
Clearly, the audience sees familiar DNA — competitive tasks, celebrity contestants, luxury confinement, psychological gameplay — all hallmarks of Bigg Boss, just repackaged in royal aesthetics with a European twist.
While some fans are excited about the scale and visual grandeur, others are sceptical about whether The 50 genuinely offers something new or simply repurposes existing reality formulas.
What Is The 50 Really About?
For those unfamiliar, The 50 is inspired by the popular French reality series Les Cinquante, which became a sensation for its unpredictable format and high-stakes elimination structure.
The Indian adaptation follows the same basic premise:
50 contestants from diverse backgrounds are locked inside a grand palace where strategy, alliances, manipulation and survival dictate who stays and who exits.
Unlike Bigg Boss, where audience voting plays a big role, The 50 leans more toward competitive survival and game-driven eliminations — at least on paper.
The mysterious Lion, whose identity remains under wraps, will supposedly control the fate of contestants, assigning games, punishments and power twists.
If executed well, this could genuinely bring a refreshing change to Indian reality television. But execution is everything.
Star-Studded Contestant Lineup Raises Stakes
One major reason The 50 is already trending is its powerful contestant lineup, mixing television veterans, reality stars and digital influencers.
Some confirmed names include:
- Karan Patel – Television heavyweight and fan favourite
- Faisal Shaikh (Mr Faisu) – Social media superstar
- Divya Agarwal – Bigg Boss OTT winner and controversy magnet
- Mona Lisa – Bhojpuri and TV sensation
- Vikrant Sinh Rajpoot
- Shiny Doshi
- Dushyant Kukreja – Popular YouTuber
- Ridhi Dogra – Critically acclaimed actress
- Urvashi Dholakia – Iconic television villain turned reality queen
If clashes, ego battles and dramatic alliances are your guilty pleasure, this lineup guarantees fireworks.
The show is reportedly hosted by Farah Khan, whose no-filter personality and entertainment quotient could become one of the biggest assets of the series.
Can The 50 Break the Bigg Boss Monopoly?
Let’s be honest — Bigg Boss has dominated Indian reality TV for over a decade. Any new format automatically gets compared to it. The challenge for The 50 is not just to look grand, but to deliver fresh storytelling, unpredictable gameplay and genuine emotional stakes.
The palace visuals are impressive. The concept has global credibility. The celebrity lineup is strong. But Indian audiences are sharp — they can smell recycled drama from miles away.
If the show manages to balance strategy, authenticity and entertainment without becoming over-scripted, it could carve its own identity. Otherwise, it risks becoming just another loud reality circus.
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
The 50 premieres on February 1 on JioHotstar and Colors TV.
With curiosity peaking and memes flooding social media, all eyes are now on whether the show lives up to the hype — or collapses under the weight of Bigg Boss comparisons.
One thing’s certain: the battle for reality TV supremacy just got interesting.
UltaPaltaKhabar will keep you updated with exclusive buzz, contestant drama, eliminations and inside gossip as the madness unfolds.
Stay tuned.
Note: For optimal viewing on mobile devices, rotate the screen.
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