Hamid Barkzi Says The 50 Reminds Him Of Squid Games: 'Bas Isme Goliyan Nahi Chalengi'

The 50, India’s newest high-voltage reality show, is set to debut on February 1, 2026, and has already generated immense buzz thanks to its ambitious format and star-studded lineup. The show promises to bring together 50 well-known personalities from television, film, and the digital worlds in a competitive environment that blends strategy, survival, and social gameplay. Latest to join the list is Roadies Revolution and Splitsvilla 14 winner Hamid Barkzi. But how will The 50 be different from his reality TV experience?

Hamid told Hindustan Times, “It’s an amazing feeling… A lot of people kept asking me, ‘You’ve done Roadies and Splitsvilla, now when will you do something new?’ So I felt this was the right time and the right place. I am very excited.”

Hamid revealed that he was approached for the show two months ago. “I was in talks, but I didn’t know the concept initially. Later, when I found out that there would be 50 contestants and that it’s completely task-based with a strong mental game, I got really intrigued,” he said.

“One big factor that convinced me was that the shows I have done so far have a fixed structure,” he explained, “But here, you genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen next. Of course, we know that alliances will be made, but a reality show with 50 people has never happened before.”

He added, “It’s my first opportunity to work with Colors TV, and honestly, everyone dreams of working with Colors. So I was like, great, let’s do this.” He also said, “I am definitely up for KKK and Bigg Boss, but this opportunity came first. And they say the first one is always special. This is the first season of The 50, so I thought, let’s do this first and then see what comes next.”

Asked if he was scared that he would lose visibility amid 50 contestants, he said, “I had the same thought during Roadies. But someone once told me that what’s written in your destiny, no one can take away from you. So whether it’s 50 people or 100, what I deserve, I will get. I’ll work hard for it. Getting seen or not, I leave that to God.”

Hamid said, “This is a new opportunity and a new game altogether. The strategies I used in Roadies and Splitsvilla might not work here. I usually go with my gut instinct, so either it will work or it won’t.” When asked about how he is preparing for the show, he said, “I am working more on my endurance. Apart from that, I’ll just be myself. I will portray who I really am and never try to show something I’m not.”

“It gives 100 per cent Squid Game vibes. Bas ismein goliyan nahi chalengi, which is a good thing. The house is absolutely beautiful,” Hamid said. “It’s a game, and I am passionate about games. It’s also a career move because people like us who got fame after Roadies and Splitsvilla will now be seen on Colors, so a wider audience will know us. And of course, it’s about branding too,” Hamid mentioned.

The 50 will be out on February 1, 2026.