Kushal Tandon on Ekta Kapoor: 'She always wanted the best for me'
Synopsis
Kushal Tandon hasn't done a reality show in 12 years — and the only reason he's breaking that streak is Ekta Kapoor. The actor credits his long-time mentor for his decision to join Alliance, a celebrity survival series premiering 26 June, while also lining up two new web projects with Kapoor. It's a full-circle comeback built on one trusted relationship.
Key Takeaways
Kushal Tandon is returning to reality television after 12 years with the show Alliance , premiering on 26 June .
He credits producer Ekta Kapoor — his self-described 'mentor and guru' — as the primary reason for joining the show.
Tandon and Kapoor are also set to collaborate on two upcoming web series .
Alliance is hosted by Kunal Kemmu and features 16 celebrities competing in a survival-strategy format.
Tandon's previous digital collaborations with Kapoor include Bebaakee (2020) and Hum – I'm Because of Us (2018) on ALTBalaji .
Television actor Kushal Tandon has spoken candidly about his long-standing bond with producer Ekta Kapoor, calling her his mentor and the driving force behind his decision to return to reality television after a gap of 12 years. The revelation comes ahead of his appearance on the upcoming social-strategy reality series Alliance, set to premiere on 26 June.
Why Kushal Said Yes to Alliance
Tandon, best known for his role in Ek Hazaron Main Meri Behna Hai, had long stayed away from reality formats. Speaking about his change of heart, he said, 'First of all, never say never. I had no plans to do a reality show for a very long time and haven't done one in the last 12 years. But I agreed to do this show because of my mentor and guru, Ekta Kapoor. I am also working on two web shows with her. I have immense faith in her guidance and judgment. She has always wanted the best for me, and I know she will guide me in the right direction.'
Ekta Kapoor's Support and Upcoming Collaborations
Kapoor has publicly backed Tandon's latest move, reportedly taking to social media to wish him well as he embarks on this new chapter. Beyond Alliance, the two are set to collaborate on two web series projects, continuing a creative partnership that spans several years and platforms. Their previous work together includes the ALTBalaji web series Hum – I'm Because of Us (2018) and the romantic drama Bebaakee (2020), in which Tandon played Sufiyaan Abdullah.
Kushal Tandon's Career Arc
After a period away from the spotlight, Tandon made a television comeback in 2023 with Barsatein – Mausam Pyaar Ka on Sony TV, playing Reyansh Lamba opposite Shivangi Joshi. The role reintroduced him to mainstream audiences and set the stage for his current wave of projects. His association with Ekta Kapoor has been a consistent thread across both his television and digital career trajectories.
About Alliance: The Show
Alliance is a high-stakes survival-format reality series hosted by actor Kunal Kemmu. The show features 16 celebrities who enter as eight pairs and must continuously form, test, and break alliances to survive. The series premieres worldwide on 26 June and marks Tandon's first reality outing in over a decade.
With two web projects alongside Kapoor already in the pipeline, Tandon's return to the public eye appears to be part of a deliberate, mentor-guided strategy rather than a one-off appearance.
Point of View
And Tandon's simultaneous reality debut and two-web-series pipeline suggests a coordinated relaunch rather than a casual one-off. Whether Alliance delivers the visibility to make those web projects matter is the real question — reality formats can cut both ways for an actor's brand.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kushal Tandon agree to do a reality show after 12 years?
Kushal Tandon agreed to join Alliance primarily because of his mentor and producer Ekta Kapoor, who encouraged him to take on the show. He stated he has 'immense faith in her guidance and judgment' and that she has 'always wanted the best' for him.
What is the reality show Alliance about?
Alliance is a social-strategy survival reality series hosted by actor Kunal Kemmu. It features 16 celebrities who enter as eight pairs and must form, test, and break alliances to stay in the game. The show premieres worldwide on 26 June.
What upcoming projects does Kushal Tandon have with Ekta Kapoor?
Apart from Alliance, Kushal Tandon is set to appear in two web series being produced by Ekta Kapoor. Details of those projects have not yet been announced publicly.
What was Kushal Tandon's last major TV project?
Kushal Tandon made his television comeback in 2023 with Barsatein – Mausam Pyaar Ka on Sony TV, where he played Reyansh Lamba opposite Shivangi Joshi.
How has Ekta Kapoor responded to Kushal Tandon joining Alliance?
Ekta Kapoor reportedly shared a social media post wishing Kushal Tandon luck as he begins this new journey, publicly expressing her support for his reality TV debut.
