Former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday issued a statement after an altercation with co-contestant Siwet Tomar on the reality show Rise & Fall, saying that he will “rise again” and lauding the “overwhelming support” he received from the fans.
“Shehzad lost his father when he was just a child. He came to the show to play, work and earn his livelihood, yet you chose to abuse and attack him physically from behind. Even when you provoked him with your words, Shehzad chose to respond with maturity and treated everyone with respect. People are watching. You can abuse him, try to silence him or push him down, but you cannot defeat his spirit. He will rise again, every single day, stronger than before. Thank you to everyone for this overwhelming love and support. Jai Hind,” he added. Shehzad Poonawalla was seen being thrashed by a co-contestant in the latest episode of the reality show Rise & Fall, which airs on Prime Video, with videos of the incident going viral. The episode showed an argument between actor Swara Bhasker and Shehzad Poonwalla that turned ugly, with another co-contestant, Siwet Tomar , joining the ruckus and thrashing the former BJP leader. Right before getting beaten, Shehzad Poonawalla could be heard referring to a tattoo of Siwet Tomar and saying, despite getting that inked, he was siding with Swara Bhasker, who is considered left-leaning. Among the many tattoos on his body, particularly on his left arm, Siwet has a tattoo that appears to be a Trishul, as seen in videos and his social media posts. Poonawalla was later seen on camera showing his torn kurta. Some reports claimed that Siwet Tomar has been evicted from the show over the physical assault on Shehzad Poonawalla.
The argument between Swara Bhasker and Shehzad Poonawalla on Rise & Fall 2’s Episode 3 appeared to be centred on their political and ideological differences. Because of their ideological differences, his mother is growing older, and he doesn’t share an easy relationship with his brother.
Poonawalla said he chose to respond with maturity and treated everyone with respect, even after being hit. That says more about you than it ever could about him,” a post on Poonawalla’s X account read. That says more about you than it ever could about him.
