First-ever drag queen Patruni Sastry to feature on Bigg Boss Telugu Pre-Show

Patruni Chidananda Sastry has made history as the first Telugu drag queen on Bigg Boss Telugu Agni Pariksha, the official pre-show of Season 9. Patruni called it a breakthrough for queer visibility and inclusivity in mainstream Telugu reality television

Hyderabad: In an important milestone in the journey of drag and queer representation in Telugu media, Patruni Chidananda Sastry has the honour of being selected as the first Telugu drag queen to be part of Bigg Boss Telugu Agni Pariksha – the official pre-show for Bigg Boss Season 9.

Patruni Chidananda Sastry says that it is for the first time in the history of Telugu reality television, drag artistry and LGBTQIA+ identities are being represented on such a large and mainstream platform and adds, “My participation is not only a personal achievement but also a breakthrough moment that opens conversations around gender, art, and inclusivity in Telugu households.”

“As an artist who has been pioneering drag performance in India—while also being the first openly bisexual drag artist and a biological parent—I see this as a step towards visibility, acceptance, and normalising queer presence in the entertainment industry,” says Patruni Chidananda Sastry.

“This moment is not just about me—it is about paving the way for future queer voices to be celebrated and acknowledged in our cultural landscape,” adds Patruni Chidananda Sastry.