Shehzad Poonawalla presents Rise and Fall 2 trophy to Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Synopsis
Reality show winner Shehzad Poonawalla didn't just pocket his ₹35 lakh prize — he donated every rupee to drought and flood relief, then handed his trophy to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. The gesture lands as Maharashtra's worst drought in years has left over eight lakh farmers in distress across 305 of the state's 358 talukas.
Key Takeaways
Shehzad Poonawalla won the second season of reality show 'Rise and Fall' , hosted by Virender Sehwag .
He presented his winning trophy to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 11 November 2026 in Mumbai .
Poonawalla donated his entire prize of ₹35 lakh to drought relief in Maharashtra and flood relief in Assam and Bihar .
Maharashtra has declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, covering over 85% of the state's area.
The 2026 southwest monsoon delivered only 804.4 mm against a normal of 994.5 mm — a 19% shortfall.
More than eight lakh farmers have been affected, with soybean and cotton crops most impacted.
Shehzad Poonawalla, winner of the second season of the reality show 'Rise and Fall', visited Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on 11 November 2026 and presented his winning trophy to the CM as a gesture of gratitude and respect for his leadership. The meeting follows Poonawalla's widely noted decision to donate his entire prize money toward drought and flood relief efforts across multiple states.
The Donation and What It Covers
Poonawalla, the former spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announced he would contribute his full prize of ₹35 lakh to relief efforts — channelling funds toward drought relief in Maharashtra and flood relief in Assam and Bihar. The contribution has been directed to the CM Relief Fund, coming at a critical moment for Maharashtra's farming communities.
Maharashtra's Drought Crisis
The state is currently grappling with one of its most widespread drought crises in recent years. The government has declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, covering more than 85% of Maharashtra's geographical area. The declaration follows a deficient 2026 southwest monsoon, during which the state received 804.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 994.5 mm — 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 count 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 heaviest losses.
About Rise and Fall Season 2
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. The season was hosted by former India cricketer Virender Sehwag. The show is currently available to stream on MX Player by Prime Video.
What Happens Next
With funds contributed to the CM Relief Fund, state authorities are expected to direct disbursements toward affected farming families, particularly in Marathwada and Vidarbha. The gesture has drawn attention both for its scale — donating the entire winning amount — and for its timing, amid an ongoing state-wide agricultural emergency. Poonawalla's move is likely to keep public focus on Maharashtra's drought response in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the real story here is the scale of Maharashtra's drought emergency — 305 of 358 talukas affected and over eight lakh farmers in distress. Celebrity-led contributions to the CM Relief Fund generate goodwill and headlines, but ₹35 lakh is a rounding error against the relief needs of a crisis of this magnitude. The state government's drought declaration, covering 85% of its geographical area, demands systemic policy response — not just philanthropic optics. How Fadnavis's administration channels both private donations and state funds into verifiable farmer relief will be the real test.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shehzad Poonawalla and what did he win?
Shehzad Poonawalla is a former BJP spokesperson who won the second season of the reality show 'Rise and Fall', hosted by Virender Sehwag and produced by Banijay India as an MX Original. The show is available to stream on MX Player by Prime Video.
How much did Shehzad Poonawalla donate and where did the money go?
Poonawalla donated his entire winning amount of ₹35 lakh — directing funds toward drought relief in Maharashtra and flood relief in Assam and Bihar through the CM Relief Fund.
Why is Maharashtra facing a drought in 2026?
Maharashtra received only 804.4 mm of rainfall during the 2026 southwest monsoon against a normal of 994.5 mm, a shortfall of approximately 19%. The state has declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, with Marathwada recording a 38% deficit and Vidarbha a 27% deficit.
Which regions of Maharashtra are worst hit by the drought?
Marathwada is the worst-affected region with a 38% rainfall deficit, followed by Vidarbha at 27%. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the most drought-affected talukas at 76, followed by Amravati (56), Nashik (52), Nagpur (52), and Pune (51).
Why did Poonawalla present his trophy to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis?
Poonawalla presented the trophy as a gesture of gratitude and respect for Fadnavis's leadership. The meeting also coincided with his announcement to donate his prize winnings to relief funds amid Maharashtra's ongoing drought crisis.
