Love or money, what would you choose? That’s the burning question driving Splitsvilla 16, the explosive new season of India’s iconic dating reality show. With shocking eliminations, wildcard twists, and villa swaps already reshaping alliances, the MTV series has quickly become one of 2026’s most-watched youth shows.
Premiering on January 9, 2026, Splitsvilla 16: Pyaar Ya Paisa introduces a fresh format in which contestants must choose between emotional connection and strategic gain. Hosted by Sunny Leone and Karan Kundrra, and spiced up by Mischief Makers Uorfi Javed and Nia Sharma, the season unfolds against the scenic backdrop of Mahabalipuram. The show airs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm on MTV India and streams on JioHotstar.
Splitsvilla 16 Theme: Pyaar Villa vs Paisa Villa
For the first time, contestants entered two separate villas representing the season’s core dilemma: love or wealth. The Pyaar Villa houses those prioritising connection and compatibility, while the Paisa Villa gathers players driven by strategy, power and prize money. This divide has created unpredictable bonds, betrayals and cross-villa drama.
Splitsvilla 16 Contestants List
Pyaar Villa Contestants
Female: Akanksha Choudhary, Anjali Schmuck, Diksha Pawar, Anisha Shinde, Sadhaaf Shankar, Soundharya Yuvaraj, Suzzane, Khan Simran
Male: Chakshdeep Singh, Yogesh Rawat, Anuj Sharma, Sorab Bedi, Tayne De Villiers, Harshit Gururani, Ayush Sharma, Himanshu Arora
Paisa Villa Contestants
Female: Anuska Ghosh, Zalak Gohil, Niharika Tiwari, Khushi Rawal, Keona Walke, Preet Singh, Kaira Anu, Asmita Adhikari
Male: Kushal Tanwar (Gullu), Ayush Jamwal, Deeptanshu Saini, Gauresh Gujral, Aarav Chugh, Mohit Magotra, Ron Kariappa, Vishu Bajaj
Splitsvilla 16 Eliminations So Far
The competition has already witnessed intense shake-ups, with multiple contestants exiting the villas. Khushi Rawal became the latest elimination in Episode 16, triggering fresh alliances and strategy shifts.
Eliminated contestants: Khushi Rawal, Aarav Chugh, Ayush Jamwal, Anuj Sharma, Simran Khan, Diksha Pawar, Anuska Ghosh
In classic Splitsvilla fashion, exits haven’t always been final. Simran Khan and Diksha Pawar re-entered the game at Paisa Villa, while Anuska Ghosh made a strategic comeback at Pyaar Villa. These surprise returns have blurred loyalties and intensified rivalry between the two camps.
The Pyaar Ya Paisa format has added a psychological layer rarely seen in earlier seasons. Contestants are no longer judged only on romance but also on calculated gameplay. Combined with influencer contestants, bold tasks and unpredictable Mischief Maker interventions, the show has captured massive youth engagement across TV and streaming.
Where to Watch Splitsvilla 16?
Splitsvilla 16 airs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm on MTV India. Episodes are also available for streaming on JioHotstar, allowing viewers to follow villa drama, eliminations and love-money dilemmas in real time.
As alliances evolve and villa boundaries blur, the central question remains: Will contestants ultimately choose love or money? With more eliminations, wildcards and betrayals expected, Splitsvilla 16 promises a season packed with emotion, strategy and unforgettable reality TV moments.
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