Shehzad Poonawalla has won Rise and Fall Season 2, defeating television actress Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and actor Gautam Gulati in the reality show’s grand finale. While the victory earned him the winner’s trophy and a cash prize of ₹35 lakh, Shehzad has revealed that he does not intend to keep the money. Instead, he plans to donate the entire amount towards flood relief and public welfare initiatives.

The former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson announced his decision after emerging as the winner of the second season of the reality show. He said the prize money would be directed towards the Chief Minister’s relief funds in Bihar and Assam, with a focus on helping communities affected by floods.

Explaining the reason behind his decision, Shehzad said the two states had experienced devastating floods around the time he entered the competition. He acknowledged the efforts made by the respective state governments but felt that additional financial support could help people dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

He also indicated that the funds could be used for other relief and public welfare activities, depending on where assistance was needed. For Shehzad, the decision was an opportunity to turn his television victory into something meaningful beyond the entertainment industry.

Hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, Rise and Fall Season 2 concluded on November 6 after weeks of competition, strategic alliances and confrontations.

Shehzad finished ahead of Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, who emerged as the first runner-up. Actor Gautam Gulati, best known for winning Bigg Boss 8, secured the third position.

The final stages of the competition featured six contestants battling for the winner’s title. Niharika Tiwari was among the first to exit the finale, followed by Karan Patel and Swara Bhasker. The competition eventually narrowed down to Shehzad, Priyanka and Gautam.

Shehzad’s victory was particularly significant because he entered the show without the same reality television experience as several of his competitors. He described himself as an underdog, pointing out that many contestants came from established backgrounds in television and entertainment.

He said the experience tested his patience and ability to handle difficult situations. The show’s Tower and Basement format required participants to navigate shifting power equations, changing alliances and challenging tasks. According to Shehzad, there were moments when he considered quitting, but he eventually decided to continue.

Shehzad’s win also marks an interesting development in his public career. Before entering the entertainment space, he was widely recognised for his political commentary and television debates.

A law graduate from the University of Pune, Shehzad first came into the national spotlight through his association with the Congress party. He later joined the BJP in 2021 and became a familiar face on television news programmes as a party spokesperson.

He resigned from his position as BJP national spokesperson in August 2026 before taking part in Rise and Fall Season 2. His participation brought him into a completely different environment, where he had to compete against television actors and experienced reality show contestants.

His interactions with fellow participants also became a major talking point during the season. One notable relationship was his friendship with actor Swara Bhasker. The two had previously expressed contrasting political views, making their association inside the show particularly interesting for viewers.

However, Shehzad said they managed to put their ideological differences aside during the competition and worked together when required. He suggested that people with opposing opinions could still cooperate and maintain a friendship.

His equation with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary was less cordial, with the two frequently exchanging sharp remarks. Following the finale, however, Shehzad acknowledged that he regretted some of the words he had used against her and wished her well in her acting career.

He also addressed his confrontation with Siwet Tomar, who was removed from the show following a physical altercation. Shehzad maintained that disagreements should not turn violent and said he had forgiven him.

Winning Rise and Fall Season 2 has provided Shehzad with an opportunity to reach audiences beyond political discussions. His decision to donate the ₹35 lakh prize money has added another dimension to his victory.

Rather than treating the cash reward as a personal achievement, he wants it to support people facing difficult circumstances. The proposed contribution towards flood relief in Bihar and Assam has also brought attention to the continuing challenges faced by disaster-affected communities.

His journey from political television debates to reality show winner has been an unexpected one. But with his announcement to give away the entire prize money, Shehzad has ensured that his Rise and Fall victory will be remembered for more than just the competition.