When news broke that rapper Santy Sharma might be entering Bigg Boss 20, the collective response from viewers was, “Who is Santy Sharma?”
Santy Sharma hasn’t made much of a mark in the music industry as a singer like Badshah, Honey Singh, or Raftaar. But he might get a shot at Bigg Boss and could be one of the most interesting casting choices that the show has made in recent years.
Santy has an online following (with rap releases and insightful comments on artists and the internet) as a key player in India's independent hip-hop scene. Just a few weeks ago, he publicly supported Badshah after the backlash over the song “Tateeree,” and he critiqued the viral “Cockroach Janta Party” trend that was nothing more than internet drama rather than a real movement. Those comments resonated with fans and raised his profile outside of the rap world. But Santy is not just about controversy.
Indian rap has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past decade. Big names have brought hip-hop to the mainstream, but many regional and independent rappers are still fighting to be heard. Santy is a representative of a generation of artists who built their audiences without big labels, Bollywood endorsements, or substantial television exposure.
This is where Bigg Boss could be a game-changer.
Reality shows can catapult unknown artists into national stardom. If Santy enters the Bigg Boss house, millions of viewers who are not familiar with India’s underground rap scene will have an opportunity to get involved with it. His presence could pave the way for regional rappers from smaller cities who can never compete with the established music scenes of Mumbai and Delhi.
From a strategic standpoint, this is just the sort of move Bigg Boss creators would like to see made. Now people are more inclined to look at digital creatives, independent musicians, and internet personalities than traditional TV actors. Santy could bring reality television to a different audience young hip-hop fans who may not have ever heard of the genre. His name has already made it to the minds of potential contestants and will only have a big attraction to viewers.
But controversy is likely to follow him into the house. Santy’s views on rap culture, social media, and fellow artists have already stirred debate. He is not one who likes to shy away from speaking his mind, and some critics say his comments are deliberately provocative. Bigg Boss loves strong personalities, and Santy certainly fits that bill.
For Santy Sharma, Bigg Boss is the first chance to share his music and message with a nationwide audience in a once-in-a-lifetime way. It is something the creators of the show could leverage to tap into India’s flourishing hip-hop culture.
If the rumors are true, Santy Sharma might enter the Bigg Boss house as an underground rapper, but he might become one of the most prominent representatives of regional hip-hop that India has ever seen.
Also, there are rumors that the world-famous composer Bhagirath Bhatt could also join the contestant lineup. With credits in huge films such as Padmaavat, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Border 2, his participation would only make it all the more exciting. And now audience speculation is also in motion that social media star Redheema Gupta might make an appearance on Bigg Boss 20.
