Shehzad Poonawalla Wins Rise & Fall Season 2, Announces ₹35 Lakh Donation for Bihar and Assam Flood Victims

Entertainment Desk, Delhi Magazine: Shehzad Poonawalla has won Rise & Fall Season 2 and announced that he will donate his entire ₹35 lakh prize money to help people affected by floods in Bihar and Assam. His decision has attracted attention beyond the reality television audience, particularly because of his background in Indian politics.

The grand finale marked the end of six weeks of competition, with Shehzad emerging as the winner. Actress Priyanka Chahar Choudhary finished as the first runner-up, while actor Gautam Gulati secured third place. The show was hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag.

Shehzad Poonawalla’s Political Journey

Before entering the reality television world, Shehzad Poonawalla was known for his active role in Indian politics. He was one of the prominent faces of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regularly represented the party in television debates, political discussions and public forums.

He joined the BJP in July 2018 after leaving the Congress. Earlier, he had served as Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee and was also associated with the Congress party’s student wing.

In 2021, Shehzad was appointed a National Spokesperson of the BJP. He was also given responsibility for the Delhi BJP’s IT and Social Media Department in December that year. His regular appearances on television debates made him a familiar face among viewers following Indian politics.

Shehzad first attracted national attention in 2017 when he openly challenged the Congress party’s internal election process during Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as party president.

However, in July 2026, he announced his decision to leave the BJP, citing personal reasons. He later pressed the party leadership to accept his resignation and relieve him of his organisational responsibilities, saying he wanted to move towards the private sector. Read more about Shehzad Poonawalla’s political journey and BJP resignation.”

His appearance on Rise & Fall Season 2 brought him before a different audience, away from the political debates and discussions in which he had spent several years.

Announces Entire ₹35 Lakh Prize Money for Flood Relief

One of the biggest talking points after the finale was Shehzad’s decision to donate the entire ₹35 lakh prize money to support flood-affected people in Bihar and Assam.

The announcement was made after his victory, with Shehzad dedicating his winnings to relief efforts for families dealing with the impact of floods in both states.

 

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Flooding has created difficulties for many communities, affecting homes, livelihoods and daily life. His decision has brought attention to the need for support in the affected regions.

From Political Debates to Reality Television

Rise & Fall Season 2 brought together contestants from different professional backgrounds, including actors, entertainers and public figures. The show featured a competition between contestants living in the Tower and Basement, where power, strategy and changing alliances played an important role.

Shehzad’s political experience and outspoken personality made him a noticeable contestant during the competition. His journey included disagreements, changing relationships and several important moments as the contestants competed for the title.

His victory has now added another chapter to his public career. After spending years in political discussions and television debates, Shehzad has made his mark in reality television, while his decision to donate the prize money has given his win an additional humanitarian angle.