Fadnavis praises Shehzad Poonawalla for donating 'Rise and Fall 2' prize to drought fund
Synopsis
Former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla won 'Rise and Fall' Season 2 — and immediately donated the prize money to Maharashtra's CM Relief Fund for drought-hit farmers. With 305 of 358 talukas declared drought-affected and over eight lakh farmers impacted, the gesture earned a rare public salute from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis publicly praised Shehzad Poonawalla on 9 November 2026 via a post on X .
Poonawalla won 'Rise and Fall' Season 2 , hosted by Virender Sehwag , produced by Banijay India as an MX Original .
He donated his entire prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra's drought-hit farmers.
Maharashtra has declared 305 of 358 talukas drought-affected, covering over 85% of the state's area.
The state received 804.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 994.5 mm — a 19% shortfall — in the 2026 southwest monsoon.
More than eight lakh farmers are affected, with soybean and cotton crops worst hit.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, 9 November 2026 publicly praised former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla for winning the second season of the reality show 'Rise and Fall' and for pledging his entire prize money to the CM Relief Fund to aid the state's drought-hit farmers. Fadnavis posted a congratulatory note on X (formerly Twitter), calling the gesture deeply appreciated.
What Fadnavis Said
In his post on X, Fadnavis wrote: 'Your gesture of donating the prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra's drought-hit farmers is truly appreciated. Thank you for standing with our Baliraja.' The message underscored the symbolic weight of Poonawalla's decision at a moment when the state is grappling with one of its worst drought crises in recent years.
Maharashtra's Drought Crisis: The Backdrop
The donation comes against a stark agricultural emergency. The Maharashtra state government has officially declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected — covering more than 85% of the state's geographical area. The crisis follows a deficient 2026 southwest monsoon, during which Maharashtra received just 804.4 mm of rainfall against a seasonal normal of 994.5 mm, representing a shortfall of approximately 19%.
Marathwada is the worst-hit region, recording a 38% rainfall deficit, while Vidarbha follows with a 27% deficit. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of drought-affected talukas at 76, followed by Amravati (56), Nashik (52), Nagpur (52), and Pune (51). More than eight lakh farmers have been affected, with soybean and cotton crops bearing the brunt of the damage.
Shehzad Poonawalla's Win and the Show
Shehzad Poonawalla was officially declared the winner of 'Rise and Fall' Season 2, a reality show backed by Banijay India and produced as an MX Original, hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag. The show is available to stream on MX Player by Prime Video. His decision to channel the prize money toward drought relief rather than personal gain drew widespread attention.
Significance of the Contribution
While the exact amount of the prize money has not been publicly disclosed, the symbolic and practical value of the contribution is notable at a time when relief efforts for Maharashtra's farmers are under significant strain. This comes amid ongoing demands from farmer organisations for greater government support and faster compensation disbursements. Notably, Poonawalla's act has drawn positive responses across political lines, with the Chief Minister's public endorsement amplifying its reach.
Point of View
Not just voluntary contributions. Poonawalla's donation is commendable, but the speed and adequacy of government compensation to affected farmers remains the real accountability test for the Fadnavis administration.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shehzad Poonawalla and why is he in the news?
Shehzad Poonawalla is a former spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who won the second season of the reality show 'Rise and Fall'. He is in the news for donating his prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra's drought-affected farmers, a gesture that earned public praise from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
What is the CM Relief Fund donation about?
Poonawalla pledged his entire prize winnings from 'Rise and Fall' Season 2 to the Maharashtra CM Relief Fund, which supports farmers impacted by the state's severe drought. Maharashtra has declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, with over eight lakh farmers impacted.
How severe is Maharashtra's drought in 2026?
Maharashtra is facing one of its most widespread drought crises in recent years. The state declared 305 of 358 talukas drought-affected, covering over 85% of its geographical area, after the 2026 southwest monsoon delivered only 804.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 994.5 mm — a 19% shortfall. Marathwada recorded a 38% rainfall deficit, the worst in the state.
What is 'Rise and Fall' Season 2 and who hosted it?
'Rise and Fall' Season 2 is a reality show produced by Banijay India as an MX Original, hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag. It is available to stream on MX Player by Prime Video. Shehzad Poonawalla was declared the official winner of the season.
Which districts in Maharashtra are worst affected by the drought?
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of drought-affected talukas at 76, followed by Amravati (56), Nashik (52), Nagpur (52), and Pune (51). Marathwada is the worst-hit region overall with a 38% rainfall deficit, while Vidarbha recorded a 27% deficit.
