Shehzad is one of the participants in Rise & Fall Season 2 , where he will share the screen with celebrities, influencers and public figures, including Swara Bhasker. Shehzad Poonawalla is no stranger to television cameras or heated debates. The political commentator and former BJP spokesperson, who recently stepped away from active politics to return to the private sector, is now entering an entirely different arena: reality television.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Shehzad talked about his decision to enter Rise & Fall Season 2. For Shehzad, the decision to enter the show came at a rather unexpected point in his life. He also talked about who he thinks could be his biggest ally or rival in the show and shared that the audience will get to see the real side of him.
He says he had already planned to transition back to the private sector after spending years in politics.
He recalled that he had been thinking about how to navigate the next couple of months financially when the reality show offer arrived. “I had gone for the movie, and I was thinking what to do next. I was like, okay, I have to pay rent, so let’s start approaching channels, explore something digitally, make a plan for how we’ll get through one or two months. Shehzad’s decision to enter a reality show comes soon after his exit from the BJP, making his participation in Rise & Fall an interesting next chapter. However, he insists there was no fallout with the party behind his departure. “Then I had this financial issue, so it was not a happy decision. I love BJP, I love Modi ji. Given their opposing political views, Shehzad expects there could be disagreements inside the house. However, Shehzad added that he would have no problem interacting with her if their disagreements remained limited to the show’s everyday dynamics. “But if she restricts herself to the daily problems of the show, then I guess there’s no problem. But if she is going to say something that is not palatable to society, then obviously I am going to hit back. For Shehzad, participation in Rise & Fall is not only about winning the reality show. He hopes to use the platform to speak to younger audiences about India’s culture and values. For Shehzad, the outcome of the competition is secondary to the opportunity to connect with a new audience. “Forget winning or losing; these things keep happening in life.
He had initially planned to remain with the BJP until the 2024 elections before returning to the private sector, but his political stint continued for another two years, according to Shehzad. Rise & Fall Season 2 will also bring Shehzad and actor Swara Bhasker together. Because they don’t get what they expected, “Many a time, people leave political parties.
And the next day I got a call from the show,” he said. That’s not the case with me,” he said. For me, the BJP is a great party with great people and leaders,” he said. “Swara’s views are extremely problematic on a lot of fronts,” he said, before referring to her positions on issues including the Ram Mandir, Kashmir and her comments around patriarchy and Jauhar in Padmaavat. He said that if such subjects came up on the show, he would be willing to challenge her views. “If she is going to bring those kinds of issues to the table in the show, then she’s gonna watch out because I am not going to spare anyone spewing venom, hatred against India or against our society on a platform like this,” he said. “The only thing on my mind is that wherever I go or whichever platform I use, I leverage that to tell people, especially Gen Z, who I think kind of vibe with me, how great our country and civilisation is,” he said. But it’s a great platform and opportunity, and why wouldn’t I use this platform to show the best thing in our society?” he said.
