Rishi Negi Refutes Claims Over Salman Khan’s Pay Packet and Coaching Allegations

Post by : Mina Rahman

Bigg Boss 19 remains centre-stage amid ongoing controversy and speculation as the season progresses. Central to the debate are reports that Salman Khan earns between ₹150 crore and ₹200 crore per season, alongside persistent claims that the presenter is guided on what to say during weekend episodes.

Producer Responds to Speculation

Rishi Negi, the show's producer from Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, spoke to reporters to address these manifold rumours.

Declining to verify any specific monetary figures, Negi observed,

“The contractual details are between Salman and JioHotstar, so I don’t have access to them. Regardless of the sums being discussed, his presence justifies the investment and ensures the weekend slots perform strongly,” he said.

On Allegations of Salman's Coaching

When questioned about assertions that Salman is briefed on how to interact with contestants or receives prompts through an earpiece, Negi dismissed the notion.

“Those who know Salman understand he won’t be made to voice opinions he does not hold,” he told the press.

Negi added that Salman actively follows the programme and forms his own views.

He explained that Salman attempts to watch the episodes. If he misses them, he reviews an hour or two of compiled footage with the production team over the weekend to catch up on key developments. He also receives informal input from acquaintances who watch the show, which helps him stay informed,” the producer said.

Weekend Shows Shaped Collaboratively

Negi described the weekend broadcasts as the outcome of combined inputs from Salman, the creative team and viewers' responses.

“Salman brings his own perspective on what is appropriate; we, as creators, have ours; and continuous audience feedback also factors in. Synthesising those elements determines the final shape of the weekend episodes,” he explained.

In sum, Negi rejected the narrative that Salman is fed scripted lines or directed on-air. While he refused to confirm the widely circulated ₹150 crore figure, the producer emphasised Salman’s hands-on role in reviewing content and influencing weekend narratives — a contribution Negi believes is fully warranted.