Rise and Fall S2: Irina breaks down over war-hero father, Tej Pratap Yadav soothes her with flute
Synopsis
Irina Rudakova's tearful revelation about her sniper father's battlefield death became one of Rise and Fall Season 2's most striking moments — made more memorable when Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, quietly reached for his flute to bring her calm. It's a rare human pause in a show built on power and rivalry.
Key Takeaways
Irina Rudakova broke down on Rise and Fall Season 2 after discussing her father, a sniper who died saving fellow soldiers from a drone strike.
Shehzad Poonawalla first raised the subject and followed Irina to console her after she left the room.
Tej Pratap Yadav , son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav , played the flute to help calm Irina.
The show is hosted by former cricketer Virender Sehwag and follows a Rulers vs Workers format.
Shehzad has previously been linked to the elimination of Siewet Thakur and ongoing clashes with Swara Bhasker .
On Rise and Fall Season 2, a deeply emotional moment unfolded when contestant Irina Rudakova broke down after the late bravery of her father — a soldier who died saving fellow troops — was brought up in conversation. The episode, which aired around 2 October 2026, saw Shehzad Poonawalla and Tej Pratap Yadav both step in to comfort her, with Tej Pratap turning to music to help ease her grief.
Irina's Emotional Revelation
Shehzad Poonawalla reportedly brought up the subject of Irina's father during a conversation, describing him as a war hero who attained martyrdom. Irina then opened up about her father's sacrifice, revealing that he had served as a sniper. According to her account, he lost his life when a drone struck him as he attempted to shield fellow soldiers. The episode did not specify which conflict her father served in or the precise date of his death.
Visibly overcome by grief, Irina excused herself from the room to collect her emotions in private. Shehzad, noticing her distress, followed and attempted to console her.
Tej Pratap Yadav's Musical Gesture
Tej Pratap Yadav, son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, then arrived with his flute and began playing for Irina. The gesture appeared to have a calming effect — she was shown slowly regaining composure as the music played. Tej Pratap has previously showcased his affinity for the instrument on the show, and the moment underscored a more human side of the power-game format.
About Rise and Fall Season 2
The show is hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag and follows a power-based competitive format in which contestants are divided into Rulers and Workers. The season's cast includes Tej Pratap Yadav, Irina Rudakova, Shehzad Poonawalla, Swara Bhasker, Karan Patel, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, Gautam Gulati, Sara Gurpal, Niharika Tiwari, Siwet Tomar, Kajal Raghwani, Raj Grover, Manish Kashyap, Anish Bhagat, and Kaira Anu.
Shehzad Poonawalla's Controversial Run
The season has not been without friction. Shehzad Poonawalla has been at the centre of multiple controversies since the show began. Contestant Siewet Thakur was eliminated following a physical altercation with Shehzad, and the latter has also been involved in heated exchanges with fellow contestant Swara Bhasker. The ongoing tensions have kept the show in the spotlight beyond its scheduled drama.
With the season still in progress, viewers will be watching whether the emotional solidarity shown in this episode translates into alliances — or remains a fleeting moment of humanity in an otherwise cutthroat game.
Point of View
And Tej Pratap Yadav's instinct to reach for a flute rather than words is the kind of detail editors dream of. For a show built on hierarchy and rivalry, it is also a strategic subplot worth watching: solidarity and sympathy, on display in front of cameras, can shift alliances as effectively as any power play. Whether the production capitalises on this emotional thread or lets it pass will say a great deal about the season's storytelling ambitions.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Irina on Rise and Fall Season 2?
Irina Rudakova broke down emotionally on Rise and Fall Season 2 after Shehzad Poonawalla revealed that her father was a war hero. She shared that her father, a sniper, died while trying to save fellow soldiers when a drone struck him.
Why did Tej Pratap Yadav play the flute on Rise and Fall Season 2?
Tej Pratap Yadav played the flute to comfort Irina Rudakova after she became emotional recalling her father's death in battle. The music appeared to help her regain composure.
Who is Tej Pratap Yadav on Rise and Fall Season 2?
Tej Pratap Yadav is the son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and one of the contestants on Rise and Fall Season 2. He is known for his interest in playing the flute, which he has showcased on the show.
Who hosts Rise and Fall Season 2?
Rise and Fall Season 2 is hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag. The show features a power-based competitive format dividing contestants into Rulers and Workers.
What controversies has Shehzad Poonawalla been involved in on Rise and Fall Season 2?
Shehzad Poonawalla has been at the centre of multiple controversies on the show. Contestant Siewet Thakur was eliminated following a physical brawl involving Shehzad, and he has also had intense public arguments with fellow contestant Swara Bhasker.
