MTV Splitsvilla 16 ‘X6: Pyaar ya Paisa’ kicks off with double villa twist; know more about key contestants here

Pyaar Villa and Paisa Villa, two distinct villas, are part of a new concept that is being introduced this season.

• MTV Splitsvilla 16 introduces dual-villa: Pyaar Villa and Paisa Villa.
• Sunny Leone and Karan Kundrra host; Nia Sharma, Urfi Javed cause mischief
• Contestants must secretly choose between love and money, changing game dynamics

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MTV's renowned dating reality series Splitsvilla made a spectacular comeback with its 16th season, subtitled X6: Pyaar ya Paisa, on January 9, 2026. The show, which is well-known for its blend of romance, drama, and intense conflicts, has reimagined itself with a revolutionary format that forces competitors to choose between strategic gameplay and matters of the heart, offering a novel twist for a new audience.

Pyaar Villa and Paisa Villa, two distinct villas, are part of a new concept that is being introduced this season. In addition to changing the theme, the dual-villa setup affects the competitors' relationships, strategy, and gameplay dynamics.

The season is hosted by the popular duo Sunny Leone and Karan Kundrra. While Sunny continues with her expertise as the former host for all the previous seasons, Karan marks his debut as the Splitsvilla co-host.

Adding an extra layer of excitement, the Paisa Villa also features the “mischief makers” Nia Sharma and Urfi Javed, who are tasked with stirring the pot and introducing unexpected twists and turns in the villa.

This season introduces a total of 31 contestants, split evenly between the two villas with 16 participants in Pyaar Villa and 16 in Paisa Villa.

Key Contestants in Pyaar Villa:

Yogesh Rawat: A former Roadies contestant, Yogesh quickly became a favourite contender for the girls in the villa and captured attention as the first male contestant to enter the villa.

Sadhaaf Shankar: Bringing international flair from Afghanistan, Sadhaaf’s bold personality and devotion to Indian culture, particularly as a Shiv Bhakt, make her a standout participant.

Akanksha Choudhary: Hailing from Jaipur, Akanksha is confident and fearless, ready to leave her mark in the villa.

Soundharya Shetty: From Mangalore, she grabbed attention with her statement that she is attracted to strong, “toxic” guys, promising to shake things up.

Tayne: A wildcard entry from South Africa, Tayne has already made headlines by revealing he has previously dated two former Splitsvilla contestants.

Harshit: Instantly intriguing the female contestants, Harshit’s lip mark tattoo sparked curiosity and conversation from the moment he entered.

Key Contestants in Paisa Villa:

Kushal Tanwar (Gullu): An ex-Roadies winner with a strong, leader-like personality, Kushal is expected to influence the game significantly. His presence and prior fame already add a layer of complexity to the villa dynamics.

Kiara: Arriving from Canada in search of love, Kiara has already formed groups within the villa and showcased her strong personality, notably during a clash with Asmita.

Keona Walke: Known for her quirky personality and sense of humor, Keona was quickly caught in a catfight on Day 1 but still emerged as one of the most popular contestants through audience votes.

Preet Singh: Part of the formidable female lineup in the Paisa Villa, Preet is already making her presence felt.

Mohit Magotra: One of the key male contestants in the strategy-heavy Paisa Villa, Mohit has already been voted “Mr Popular” by his peers, with his charm and physique making him a standout figure.

The mischievous Urfi Javed and Nia Sharma have been adding twists to the Paisa Villa since the beginning. For the duration of their journey on the show, contestants had to make a secret decision between money and love. The mischief makers later disclosed that those who selected money would have more influence, raising the stakes for everyone involved.

Also read: MTV Splitsvilla X6: Afghanistani model Sadhaaf adds ‘Shankar’ to her name, opens up about being a Shiv devotee

This season's main question is still whether the Splitsvillians will prioritise power and money over true love, completely changing the game's trajectory.

MTV Splitsvilla 16 streams on JioCinema and JioHotstar, with three episodes airing every week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, keeping audiences hooked with high drama, romance, and strategic gameplay.