Currently in its early stages, MTV Splitsvilla Season 16 (Splitsvilla X6) premiered on January 9, 2026. In the “Pyaar Ya Paisa” theme of this season, which is hosted by Sunny Leone and Karan Kundrra, divides competitors into Pyaar Villa and Paisa Villa, striking a balance between strategic games and emotional bonds.
There is currently no official winner or verified popularity ranking because the show is still in progress. However, screen presence, memorable entrances, and online discussion after the debut episodes are driving early buzz.
Sadhaaf Shankar Becomes the First Point of Discussion
Sadhaaf Shankar is the female candidate who has received the most immediate notice thus far. Sadhaaf, who was born in Afghanistan and now resides in Mumbai, made an impression in the first episode with her self-assured body language, fluency in Hindi, and unique personal history. She also stood out due to her spiritual inclination—she has talked about being a devotee of Lord Shiva—making her one of the most talked-about finalists in early viewer reactions and entertainment coverage.
Sadhaaf’s debut and early screen time have made her one of the season’s most recognizable faces thus far, even though it’s still too early to gauge long-term popularity.
Other Female Contestants Gaining Early Buzz
In addition to Sadhaaf, a number of other competitors are starting to gain popularity on social media and among viewers:
Anisha Shinde’s vivacious, outspoken nature has drawn attention, and some viewers have drawn analogies to pop culture because of her carefree, gossip-friendly demeanor.
A portion of the audience has responded favorably to Diksha Pawar’s introduction as an actor and content producer who prefers a real connection over violent gaming.
Names like Niharika Tiwari, Asmita Adhikari, Soundharya Shetty, and Kaira (who is located in Canada) are already beginning to register through early episodes and advertisements, while Akanksha Choudhary made a confident introduction and is still mentioned in early candidate conversations.
Popularity Is Still Changing
As is common in Splitsvilla, once jobs become more difficult, relationships become more intimate, and disagreements arise, early impressions can quickly change. As the season goes on, contestants who create emotional narratives, viral moments, or high-stakes confrontations frequently find a dramatic increase in awareness.
Sadhaaf Shankar seems to be the most talked-about female contender in the first phase right now, but there are still a lot of shows left, so the popularity landscape is still very open.
MTV Splitsvilla 16 is available to stream on JioHotstar and air on MTV on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
