The season for reality shows has begun; India’s longest-running dating reality show, MTV Splitsvilla, returns with its much-anticipated 16th season, Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar ya Paisa. The season’s first episode aired on January 9, 2026 on MTV India and streams on JioHotstar every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 pm IST.
Hosts, Theme & New Twist
Once again the show is hosted by the iconic Sunny Leone and Karan Kundra, known as the Queen of Hearts and the King of Hearts, guiding 32 contestants through intense romantic challenges.
The season also brought internet personality Uorfi Javed and Actress Nia Sharma as Mischief Makers, expected to bring alliances, rivalries, and unexpected twists and chaos.
The season is coming with a bold and new twist called “Pyaar ya Paisa” (Love or Money). Under this twist, contestants must make tough choices between their growing emotional connections or money. The show brings more fun for the show’s fans across the country.
Who Is Sadhaaf Shankar? The Afghanistan-born Contestant Drawing Attention
Every year a contestant goes viral among fans of Splitsvilla, and this year is no different. Among the contestants is Sadhaaf Shankar, a contestant whose profile has raised eyebrows. Sadhaaf was born in Afghanistan and has been living in Mumbai for about a decade and speaks fluent Hindi. She shows a deep interest and fondness in Indian culture and men and refers to herself as “Dil se Indian”. She has also shared her early life moments on her Instagram, where she posts pictures and updates about her journey and interests.
Surprisingly, the fans found that Sadhaaf is a devotee of Lord Shiva (Shiv bhakt), which was highlighted as part of her personal background during the show’s promotions. At the time of the show’s launch, she was reportedly single and ready to find love inside the Splitsvilla X6 villa.
Confirmed Contestants
The first episode introduced female contestants, including Akanksha Choudhary, Anjali, Anisha Shinde, Diksha Pawar, Soundharya Shetty, Simran, and Sadhaaf Shankar. As per the show’s insiders and reports, many men and women are coming as connections; that suggests a diverse and vibrant contestant mix and twists.
In the first episode inside the villa, contestants started navigating pairings, with some headed to the Pyaar Villa, focused on emotional bonds, and others facing the Paisa Villa, known for strategic decisions.
What to Expect From This Season
Every year Sunny and Karan bring new twists and turns, and this time viewers can look forward to dramatic tasks and eliminations that test love, loyalty, and strategies. The most unique thing that can bring more twists and fun is the Mischief Makers addition. Nia and Uorfi’s involvement brought a fresh concept and format where emotional connection and love for money go against one another.
With a mix of romance, rivalry, and risk, MTV Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar ya Paisa promises to deliver one of the most unpredictable and talked-about seasons yet. If you missed the first episode, go and stream it on Disney+ Hotstar.
