Tamasha is Pakistan’s biggest reality show, airing on ARY Digital. The show began in 2022 and quickly established a loyal audience. Since then, Tamasha has returned every year without a break. The format of the show is inspired by Big Brother, and ARY Digital has also officially acquired the rights from the Big Brother franchise. The Pakistani version has gained immense popularity, attracting viewers from across the Subcontinent. The show is produced and designed by Salman Iqbal and Jarjees Seja, while Adnan Siddiqui has been hosting Tamasha since its very first season. Tamasha Season 5 premiered on August 8, 2026, and has already started making waves on social media.
This year, prize money of one crore rupees has been announced by host Adnan Siddiqui. According to him, the entire amount will not necessarily remain intact, as contestants will be fined for misconduct. A significant amount will also be deducted from the prize money if contestants fail to control their hunger and cravings. The Tamasha cafe has officially listed prices for each food item, meaning that whenever a contestant eats something, the corresponding amount will be deducted from the prize money. The idea of starving contestants is to make them order from the menu so that the makers deduct their prize money. Watch here:
Social media users are criticizing ARY’s prize-money gimmick, with many claiming that the channel cannot afford to pay one crore rupees and announced the huge amount simply to create hype, attract more viewers, and boost ratings. One social media user wrote, “Badshah Salamat has gone mad. One crore is a scam; the actual money is 50 lakh.” Another commented, “If they order food, all the money will be deducted, and the contestants will only be left with the trophy.” Another user suggested that the contestants should be provided with simple food items at affordable prices for their survival. Another wrote, “The makers do this every time because they have to reduce it to the actual money.” Read the comments below:
