Where Past meets Future: COLORS Bigg Boss 18’s Spectacular Cave-Themed House

The greatest iconic phrase of the undisputed king of reality shows got a makeover as ‘Bigg Boss chahte hain’ turned into ‘Bigg Boss jaante hain’ for the first time in its history. Intrigued by this groundbreaking twist, the viewers finally caught glimpses of the most coveted house on the planet on COLORS’ ‘Bigg Boss 18’. This year, Bigg Boss dekhenge ghar walon ka future and so his house is now the breeding ground for time-warping surprises, resulting in a never-seen-before prehistoric paradise designed by the visionary duo – art director Omung Kumar B. and production designer Vanita Garud.

The entire house is made to look like it has been carved from an ancient Indian cave, giving contestants the taste of Time Ka Tandav. Every corner of the house is drenched in ancient charm, evoking the lavish essence of cave hotels reminiscent of earthy destinations, but with a unique Indian touch that echoes Ajanta-Ellora’s heritage. Here’s a tour of the master’s cave haven, where time itself is at play.

Gossip in the Nooks, Grandeur in the Air: Living Room’s Ancient-Inspired Design

The living room defies conventional design, with multiple elevated floors creating secret nooks and corners—perfect for some gossip sessions. Ruins from a forgotten time and niches filled with relics add a touch of ancient intrigue. The heart of this area is a massive stone sculpture of a face with cracks filled with gold leafing and an adjacent seating area, lending a sense of grandeur to the dining space. Along the periphery, walls echo the ancient splendour of Ajanta and Ellora caves with hand-painted animals adding another layer of myth and mystery to this visual feast.

In the centre, a grand dining table with stone benches and mismatched seating evokes the image of a royal banquet. A mezzanine floor and levels to the living room, render the space a cave-like depth and nuance with modern elegance. The seating area, visible from the garden, is where ‘Weekend Ka Vaar’ will unfold under the glow of delicate bell-shaped lamps, offering an intimate yet dramatic setting for host Salman Khan’s fiery grilling sessions.

Kitchen politics gets a rustic touch

The kitchen is a prehistoric chef’s dream – a rustic space in muted sandstone, grey, and dark grey tones, exuding a back-to-basics vibe. The kitchen feels like it’s been pulled straight out of a stone-age luxury cookbook with traditional utensils like terracotta pots and pans sitting on display, and glowing rocks adding a mystical element. Here every utensil seems to carry a tale from a bygone era.

Jail: A Cave of Contemplation

For those sent to this prehistoric pod, the punishment is as ancient as the rocks it’s carved from. The jail, located right next to the kitchen, feels like a secluded cave chamber, designed for solitary introspection. Its rock walls create an isolated, almost meditative atmosphere where time moves slowly, every second dragging out like centuries. This cave-pod jail reminds contestants that while freedom is fleeting, the lessons learned in isolation are eternal.

A Cave of Secrets and Splendour: The suite bedroom of Bigg Boss

The entrance to this bedroom is like walking into the mouth of a cave—stone-carved niches, ancient paintings, and faux windows with faux scenery lend the space a mystical outdoorsy charm. The room is divided into various nooks, each with its unique bed as if sectioning off different eras in time. A pathway cuts through the middle, leading to a sunken seating area where low ceilings and stalactite-like pillars transport you to a place where time stands still.

Confession Room: Secrets on the Rocks

Confessing your secrets has never been this surreal! With a diwan-like seating, the confession room is a space that feels like it was chiselled from the earth itself with an elephant sculpture intricately carved into its stone walls. Prehistoric gold coins are printed on the floor, while the centrepiece is a massive clock installation, reminding contestants that time is always ticking. In this room, time will bear witness to contestants’ confessions, as every moment feels etched in stone.

From Trojan Horses to Tribal Sculptures: Inside the garden area

The garden area is a breathtaking fusion of ancient Indian heritage and natural elements. It is divided by a pathway of elegant and intricate pillars, connecting a lion-shaped water fountain to the living entrance, domed by an elaborate golden arch. One half of the garden area is bursting with greenery, and the other seems to be channelling prehistoric India. The green part of the area has a huge Trojan horse standing guard over the bathroom and its belly is hollowed out to reveal a small lounging area, perfect for scheming or simply soaking in the eccentricity of this house. There is a cozy nook at the horse’s tail, daring housemates to take a seat and plot their next move. Adjacent to the seating area is a tree embellished with many bird nests and coconut coir furnishings. Modelled after a prehistoric version of the Benares ghat, the other half of the garden is a stark contrast with rough-hewn stone jharokhas and a giant relief sculpture of a tribal woman peering over the pool. A wall on this side of the garden has an awning with tribal seating and rustic furniture that looks like it has tumbled out of an ancient civilisation.

Bathroom: A Hamam Splashing Through Time

Fashioned like a hamam and tributing sea-inspired designs, the bathroom has a central seating area that encircles an artificial fishpond, evoking the feel of ancient communal baths. This space has off-white arches reminiscent of corals, an inverted wicker chandelier casting golden shadows, and dry grass decor adding a rustic charm. The walls of this area have niches featuring an eclectic collection of vases and artifacts that emanate a seaside museum vibe.

Vaar Stage: Past Meets Future

The vaar stage is the grand finale of this cave hotel; it’s a space with futuristic twist. A sleek, futuristic car stands in the centre, as though it’s just rolled in from another timeline, while the rest of the set is decked out with stone sculptures and modern tech. It’s a true Time Ka Tandav with the massive clock installation ticking away, serving as a constant reminder that no one can escape the clutches of time, whether they’re stuck in the past or racing into the future.

Speaking about designing the house, Art Director Omung Kumar B. and Production Designer Vanita Garud jointly said, “We chose the grand cave hotel theme to evoke a sense of awe among onlookers and stir our own imagination and hunger for creativity. The goal was to create a space where every corner evokes the sentiment of time’s relentless passage, yet it feels like you’ve stepped into a sanctuary with elements frozen in the past, present and future. The cave-like structures, stone sculptures, and intricate carvings are a nod to India’s ancient caves and places that hold centuries of stories within their walls. The inspiration came from stunning destinations such as Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves, where the architecture of natural formations speaks volumes. The house isn’t just a backdrop for the game; it’s a living, breathing entity that tests their endurance and adaptability. I wish all the contestants the best as they step into this world. May they find strength in the prehistoric ambience, wisdom in the ticking clocks, and the courage to embrace the challenges ahead.”