Bigg Boss 5 unveils 14 contestants' list

The makers of Bigg Boss 5 have finally unveiled the names of 14 contestants. The contestants' list has names of 13 female celebrities and Shakti Kapoor is the only male contestant on the much-hyped reality TV show. The participants' list also includes the name of the wife of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj.

The names of contestants and their brief details:

1. Shakti Kapoor is known for playing comic and villainous roles in Bollywood movies. He has starred in several Hindi films. He is also popular for often courting controversies. Now, he will be the only male contestant on the Bigg Boss 5.
   
2. Nihita Biswas is the wife of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj, who has been in prison since his arrest in Kathmandu in 2003, following his alleged murder of at least 12 murders. Bigg Boss 5 is her first TV show.
   
3. Pooja Bedi, the daughter of Kabir Bedi, debut in films with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and has acted in several Hindi movies. She was earlier seen in the reality shows like Nach Baliye, Khatron ke Khiladi and Maa Exchange.
4. Mahek Chahal has starred in Salman Khan's Wanted and performed an item song in recently released film Yamla Pagla Deewana. Earlier, she was also featured on a Norwegian reality show.
5. Shonali Nagrani is a model-turned-actress and has starred in movies like Dil Bole Hadippa and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She has also hosted a couple of TV shows.
6. Shraddha Sharma has appeared in Emotional Atyachaar and Love Lockup on Bindaas channel. She made a big news for her alleged relationship with ex-beau Raja Chaudhary, estranged husband of TV actress Shweta Tiwari.
7. Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is a celebrity trans-gender and social activist and was also seen in shows like Sach Ka Saamna and Raaz Picchle Janam Ka.
8. Juhi Parmar is a TV actress, who is known for her role as the title character Kumkum.
9. Raageshwari Loomba is a singer and actor, who acted in films like Aankhen and Main Khiladi Tu Anari.
10. Pooja Mishra is a model-VJ and was a part of The Big Switch on Bindass channel.
11. Sonika Kaliraman appeared in reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi and Zor Ka Zatka.
12. Vida Samdajai is a former Miss Afghanistan beauty queen.
13. Gulabi Sapera is also known as Gulabo the Kalbeliya dancer from Rajasthan. She is a part of the international culture and music circuit, jazz bands and a performer in films.
14. Mandeep Bevli is an anchor with Headlines Today.

The Bigg Boss makers have also roped in Colombian singer Shakira for a guest appearance on Bigg Boss 5. South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes and boxing champion Mike Tyson are also expected to enter the Bigg Boss house at a later date. However, all the 14 contestants will be locked in the Bigg Boss house for about three months with over 55 cameras following their every move 24x7.