Manu Punjabi is an Indian businessman, social media personality, and restaurateur born on 7 July 1990 in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, into a Hindu Punjabi family that migrated to Rajasthan. He completed his schooling and graduation in Bhilwara. Before Bigg Boss, he ran successful business ventures in Bhilwara including restaurants and event management companies, giving him experience in public-facing roles and communication. He has two sisters. In October 2016, he entered Bigg Boss 10 on Colors TV as one of the 'Indiawale' commoner contestants. He rapidly became one of the season's most beloved personalities — his friendship with fellow commoner Manveer Gurjar became the emotional backbone of the season, while his witty, unfiltered commentary and ability to make the house laugh even in difficult moments made him a fan favourite. During the season, his mother's death was communicated to him in the house — a deeply emotional moment that viewers across India responded to with widespread sympathy. He was evicted on Day 59, then returned to the house on Day 59 as a re-entry. At the finale on 29 January 2017, he opted to walk out with a cash prize, finishing fourth. Post-Bigg Boss he became one of India's most-followed commoner reality TV personalities and starred in the music video Tu Meri Main Tera alongside Jasmin Bhasin.
His extremely popular presence in Bigg Boss 10 (2016–17) as a commoner contestant — best known for his close friendship with winner Manveer Gurjar, his quick wit, and his viral ability to speak about his dil ki baat with total frankness; his thriving business ventures in Rajasthan and Mumbai including restaurants and event management; his social media fanbase of over 2 million Instagram followers; walking out of the Bigg Boss 10 finale with a cash prize.