From being an underdog among television celebrities to lifting the winner’s trophy, Shehzad Poonawalla has pulled off a major reality-show victory. But his biggest announcement came after the finale: he plans to donate his entire ₹35 lakh prize money to flood relief efforts in Bihar and Assam.
Mumbai: Who needs a Bollywood background to win a celebrity reality show? Political commentator Shehzad Poonawalla has delivered a surprising answer by emerging as the winner of Rise and Fall Season 2. After six weeks of shifting alliances, heated arguments, strategic moves and unpredictable challenges, Shehzad defeated popular television faces Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Gautam Gulati to lift the coveted trophy.
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Hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, the reality show concluded on November 6, with Shehzad taking home the winner’s trophy and a cash prize of ₹35 lakh. Priyanka finished as the first runner-up, while Bigg Boss 8 winner Gautam secured third place.
However, the biggest headline from Shehzad’s victory was not the trophy, the celebrity competition or even his journey from the Basement to the Tower. It was his announcement that he would donate the entire ₹35 lakh prize money towards flood relief efforts in Bihar and Assam.
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In a reality television season where contestants competed for power, survival and recognition, Shehzad’s post-finale decision gave his victory an entirely different emotional angle.
Shehzad Poonawalla to Donate Entire ₹35 Lakh Prize Money
Winning ₹35 lakh is a significant reward, but Shehzad says he wants the money to serve a larger purpose. Speaking about his decision, he revealed that the entire amount would go to the Chief Minister’s relief funds in Bihar and Assam to support people affected by floods.
“The Rs 35 lakh I have won, I will be giving that to the CM fund in Bihar and Assam for flood relief,” he told The Indian Express.
Explaining why he chose these two states, Shehzad said the floods were taking place when he entered the show. He acknowledged the efforts made by both state governments and said the money could also be used for another disaster or public-interest initiative if required.
“When I joined the show, that (floods) was happening. Obviously, both the governments have done a great job in handling that situation. But they can use it for some other disaster, or something else. I want them to use it for the public interest. So, I will definitely give that to them,” he added.
The announcement could become one of the most memorable moments associated with this season. While contestants often use reality-show victories to strengthen their public image, Shehzad has attached a charitable commitment to his win.
It is important to note that he has announced his intention to donate the money; the completion of the transfer has not yet been independently established.
How Did a Political Analyst Beat Television Stars?
Shehzad’s victory is particularly interesting because he entered a competition dominated by familiar entertainment and reality television personalities.
The contestant pool included actors, influencers and public figures who were already accustomed to being in front of cameras. Priyanka Chahar Choudhary had a strong television following, while Gautam Gulati entered with the recognition of a former Bigg Boss winner.
Shehzad, meanwhile, came from a political and media background. He admitted that he initially considered himself an underdog because most contestants had established identities in the entertainment industry.
“All the contestants on the show except one or two were like the OGs of the domain, so we were like the underdogs,” he said.
He also pointed out that the competition did not necessarily favour contestants with political experience. In his assessment, the show tested a different set of skills, and political influence outside the house did not automatically translate into success inside it.
Shehzad described his win as a victory for people from the media, political and non-entertainment communities, especially because most of the other finalists came from the reality television space.
His triumph could encourage reality-show makers to experiment with contestants from more diverse professional backgrounds. It also demonstrates that a contestant does not necessarily need an established television fan base to become a serious contender.
Shehzad Admits Underestimating Contestants and Wanting to Quit
Interestingly, Shehzad has not presented his journey as a flawless victory. Looking back at his six-week experience, he admitted that he underestimated some fellow contestants.
With 18–19 years of political experience behind him, he believed that dealing with different personalities was something he understood well. However, the reality-show environment came with its own challenges.
“I did underestimate a few of my fellow contestants,” he acknowledged.
He also admitted that there were moments when he wanted to quit the show. His repeated statements about leaving the competition attracted attention, and he now accepts that expressing such thoughts was disrespectful to the platform.
“As for asking to quit the show, I agree that was disrespectful. Every time I said I wanted to quit the show, better sense prevailed,” he said.
His biggest takeaway from the experience appears to be patience. Shehzad explained that reacting immediately to a difficult situation is not always the best solution. Sometimes, allowing time to pass can change the circumstances entirely.
That lesson became particularly relevant inside Rise and Fall, where the contestants’ positions could change rapidly.
What Made Rise and Fall Season 2 So Dramatic?
The second season of Rise and Fall began with 15 contestants entering a competition built around a divide between the privileged Tower and the challenging Basement.
The format created an environment in which power, strategy, teamwork and individual decisions could change a contestant’s position. Those in the Tower enjoyed greater privileges, while participants in the Basement had to fight for opportunities to move up.
Hosted by Virender Sehwag, the six-week season brought together contestants from different professional backgrounds. The contrast between celebrity contestants and participants from other fields helped create unexpected alliances and disagreements.
The finale brought the remaining contestants together for the final battle. Shehzad eventually finished ahead of Priyanka and Gautam, completing a journey that had included uncertainty, competition and moments of self-doubt.
For Sehwag, the season also offered an opportunity to bring his straightforward hosting personality to a format built around power struggles and changing fortunes.
Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Gautam Gulati Miss the Trophy
While Shehzad walked away with the winner’s title, Priyanka and Gautam also made it to the final three.
Priyanka, who has built a strong television following through her acting and reality-show appearances, finished as the first runner-up. Gautam, already familiar to reality-show audiences after winning Bigg Boss 8, secured third place.
Their presence in the final stages made the result particularly interesting. Both had the kind of entertainment-industry recognition that could have made them strong contenders, but Shehzad ultimately came out on top.
The result also adds another reality-show achievement to Priyanka’s growing television journey, while Gautam’s appearance once again puts him in the spotlight among fans of competitive reality formats.
Will Rise and Fall 2 Change Shehzad Poonawalla’s Public Image?
The victory could open a new chapter in Shehzad’s public career. Before entering the show, he was primarily known for his political commentary and public appearances. Now, he has also established himself as a reality-show winner who managed to compete against experienced television personalities.
His decision to pledge the prize money for flood relief may further shape how audiences perceive him beyond the show’s competitive environment.
However, the real impact will depend on what happens after the cameras stop rolling. Delivering on the donation commitment, maintaining the goodwill generated by the announcement and deciding whether to pursue more entertainment projects will all influence his next move.
For Rise and Fall, Shehzad’s win gives the second season an unexpected finish. For the political commentator, it is a new kind of public recognition.
He entered the Tower as an underdog, admitted that he had misjudged his competitors, considered quitting more than once and eventually walked away with the trophy.
And now, instead of keeping the ₹35 lakh reward, he wants it to help people affected by floods.
That is quite a plot twist for a reality show built around the idea of rising and falling!
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