Bigg Boss Telugu 10 prize money cut to Rs 35 lakh after Mithilesh takes cash exit

Bigg Boss Telugu 10 has thrown a big curveball at both its contestants and its audience. This season's winner will now take home Rs 35 lakh, not the Rs 50 lakh first on offer, because a cash deal took Rs 15 lakh out of the prize pool.

The change came during a recent weekend episode. There was no regular elimination. Instead, wild card contestant Mithilesh chose to leave the house after he accepted a cash offer of Rs 15 lakh. The move left the housemates and the viewers watching at home stunned.

The timing is what made it so surprising. An offer like this is usually kept for the grand finale, where it is put before the top five finalists. Seeing it this early in the season caught many fans off guard.

Mithilesh's payout came straight out of the total prize pool, so the winning amount has dropped by the same Rs 15 lakh. Whoever lifts the trophy this season is now set to receive Rs 35 lakh.

The show is in its fourth week of nominations, and this twist adds fresh uncertainty to the race. Bigg Boss has long used cash offers and sudden decisions to build tension inside the house, especially as contestants get closer to the key stages of the game.

Akkineni Nagarjuna is back as host, guiding the housemates through nominations, tasks, eliminations and the weekend episodes. More contestants still face eviction, so all eyes are now on who will last to the end and claim the smaller prize.