Rise & Fall 2 winner Shehzad Poonawalla on Siwet Tomar eviction: 'Violence can never be a solution'
Synopsis
Rise and Fall 2 winner Shehzad Poonawalla has closed the book on his on-screen clash with Siwet Tomar — but his invocation of Mahatma Gandhi to condemn violence on a reality show has turned a TV moment into a talking point that stretches well beyond the competition.
Key Takeaways
Shehzad Poonawalla won Rise and Fall 2 and spoke on 6 November 2026 about the controversy surrounding Siwet Tomar's eviction.
Siwet was removed after reportedly grabbing Shehzad by the neck and pushing him down during an altercation, violating the show's rules against physical violence.
Poonawalla said he had already forgiven Siwet and considers the chapter closed, declining to assign blame.
Swara Bhasker and Karan Patel walked out in protest of Siwet's eviction, arguing that Shehzad's provocation contributed to the escalation.
Tensions began during the Ultimate Ruler race, after Siwet named Shehzad as a weak player and later interacted with Swara Bhasker despite saying he would not.
Shehzad Poonawalla, political analyst and winner of reality show Rise and Fall 2, has spoken out about the physical altercation and subsequent eviction of fellow contestant Siwet Tomar, saying he has already forgiven those involved and considers the matter closed. Speaking in Mumbai on 6 November 2026, Poonawalla invoked the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to make a broader point about non-violence.
Poonawalla's Remarks on the Controversy
Asked to revisit the conflict, Poonawalla said he had no intention of assigning blame or giving the episode further attention. 'I don't think there is any need for me to offer my perspective on that now. They were evicted because of their actions in the show, and I had already forgiven them at that time. For me, that chapter is closed, and I don't want to give it any more importance, especially on such a wonderful day,' he said.
He went further, drawing on democratic values to frame his response: 'I would only say that in our democracy and the land of Mahatma Gandhi, violence can never be a solution. We should use words, not violence. If someone repeatedly resorts to violence on a show, it reflects a lack of intellectual and verbal strength. It suggests that physical power is the only tool they have. I believe such behaviour should be avoided.'
What Led to Siwet Tomar's Eviction
The confrontation between the two contestants had escalated during the Ultimate Ruler race on the show. Siwet was initially identified as the weakest decision-maker and then named Shehzad as another contestant he considered weak — a move that strained their alliance, which had been formed early in the game.
Tensions intensified when Siwet was seen interacting with actress Swara Bhasker, despite having earlier stated he would not speak to her following her comments on 'Jauhar'. Shehzad questioned this change, sparking an argument that eventually turned physical — with Siwet reportedly grabbing Shehzad by the neck and pushing him down. Shehzad was left injured and his clothes were torn in the altercation.
Since physical violence is prohibited under the rules of Rise and Fall 2, Siwet Tomar was removed from the competition.
Swara Bhasker and Karan Patel's Protest
Swara Bhasker and actor Karan Patel initially objected to Siwet's eviction, arguing that Shehzad's provocation had contributed to the escalation. The two chose to walk out alongside Siwet in protest, a move that added a fresh layer of controversy to an already heated episode.
What This Means for the Show
The incident has drawn significant public attention to Rise and Fall 2, raising broader questions about how reality television handles physical altercations and the responsibilities of producers and participants alike. With Poonawalla emerging as the winner, his measured post-victory remarks are likely to shape the show's closing narrative. The coming days will determine whether the walkouts by Bhasker and Patel have any further consequence within or beyond the competition.
Point of View
Burnishing his political-analyst credentials post-victory. What mainstream coverage underplays is the internal contradiction on display: a show built on strategic conflict and alliance-breaking is now being used as a platform to condemn the very combustibility it engineers. The walkout by Bhasker and Patel also signals that the controversy has real reputational stakes for participants beyond the competition itself. The larger question for Indian reality television remains unresolved — who is accountable when producers create conditions that predictably escalate to physical confrontation?
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Siwet Tomar evicted from Rise and Fall 2?
Siwet Tomar was evicted from Rise and Fall 2 after a physical altercation with Shehzad Poonawalla in which he reportedly grabbed Shehzad by the neck and pushed him down, injuring him and tearing his clothes. Physical violence is against the rules of the show, which led to his immediate removal from the competition.
What did Shehzad Poonawalla say about Siwet Tomar after winning Rise and Fall 2?
Shehzad Poonawalla said he had already forgiven Siwet Tomar at the time of the incident and considers the chapter closed. He declined to revisit the episode or assign blame, adding that 'violence can never be a solution' in a democracy and the land of Mahatma Gandhi.
Why did Swara Bhasker and Karan Patel walk out of Rise and Fall 2?
Swara Bhasker and Karan Patel walked out in protest after Siwet Tomar's eviction, arguing that Shehzad Poonawalla's provocation had contributed to the physical altercation. They chose to exit the show alongside Siwet in solidarity.
What started the conflict between Shehzad Poonawalla and Siwet Tomar?
The conflict began during the Ultimate Ruler race, when Siwet named Shehzad as a weak player despite their earlier alliance. Tensions further escalated when Siwet was seen speaking with Swara Bhasker after having previously said he would not, prompting Shehzad to question the change, which led to an argument that turned physical.
Who won Rise and Fall 2?
Shehzad Poonawalla, a political analyst, won Rise and Fall 2. He spoke publicly about the show's controversies on 6 November 2026, following his victory.
