Shehzad Poonawalla is a Pune-born lawyer and political commentator who became familiar to Indian television viewers as a national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, a regular face on prime-time news debates. In 2026 he stepped away from party politics and into reality TV, and on 6 November 2026 he won Rise and Fall Season 2, the Virender Sehwag-hosted game show on Prime Video and MX Player, taking home the trophy and Rs 35 lakh.
| Shehzad Poonawalla — Quick Biography & Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Shehzad Poonawalla |
| Profession | Lawyer, political commentator, former BJP national spokesperson |
| Date of Birth | 17 October 1987 |
| Age | 39 years |
| Birthplace | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Education | MIT School of Government (MIT-SOG), Pune |
| Brother | Tehseen Poonawalla, activist and political commentator |
| Political Career | NSUI and the AICC media cell (Congress); later BJP national spokesperson; resigned in July 2026 (reported) |
| Reality TV | Rise and Fall Season 2 (2026), winner |
| Prize Money | Rs 35 lakh, pledged to flood relief in Bihar and Assam |
Shehzad Poonawalla, September 2026.
Image: Shehzad Poonawalla / Instagram (@shehzadpoonawalla)
Early Life and Education
Shehzad was born on 17 October 1987 in Pune, Maharashtra, according to the Free Press Journal, which also reported that he was educated at Pune’s MIT School of Government (MIT-SOG). The Sunday Guardian describes him as coming from the Poonawalla family of Pune and names his father as Sarfaraz Poonawalla, a businessman who died in 1992. His brother is the activist and political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla.
Political Career
He started out in Congress politics. His first role was in the party’s student wing, the National Students’ Union of India, and he later worked in the All India Congress Committee’s media cell, the Free Press Journal noted. According to the Sunday Guardian, his political life began in his teens, and it links him with the Congress from 2008.
He drew national attention in late 2017, when he publicly criticised the Congress leadership over Rahul Gandhi’s election as party president and raised the issue of dynastic politics. The break was also a family matter: his criticism led to a public disagreement with his brother Tehseen, who said at the time that he was ending ties with Shehzad, as the Sunday Guardian recalled. Shehzad then joined the BJP and was made a national spokesperson, and in 2021 he was also put in charge of the party’s social media wing for Delhi.
On 31 July 2026 the Free Press Journal, citing a News18 report, said he had resigned from the BJP for personal reasons, a day after he changed his bio on X. That bio described him as the author of a book titled GST Ki Yatra.
Rise and Fall Season 2 (2026)
On 17 September 2026 India Today named him, as a political commentator, among the first four confirmed contestants of Rise and Fall Season 2, together with actors Swara Bhasker, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Karan Patel. He told the outlet that the show’s theme of rise and fall closely reflected his own journey. The season, hosted by Virender Sehwag, was his first reality show.
Ultimate Ruler, twice
By the second week he had become the show’s Ultimate Ruler, and Filmibeat noted his growing bond with Gautam Gulati at that stage. Later in October he was injured during a task, and Swara stepped in for him (Filmibeat). On 29 October his brother Tehseen made a surprise appearance in the Tower for a Power Play session, which left Shehzad stunned, according to Filmibeat.
In early November he won the Ticket to Finale task, which made him the season’s first finalist and gave him the Ultimate Ruler post for the second time, Filmibeat reported.
Winning the finale
The finale streamed on Friday, 6 November 2026. After Niharika Tiwari, Karan Patel and Swara Bhasker went out, Shehzad reached the last round with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Gautam Gulati. The three were deadlocked, so the players already eliminated cast the deciding votes, and Shehzad won the trophy and Rs 35 lakh, India TV reported. Priyanka was the first runner-up and Gautam finished third (Outlook).
He announced that he would donate the entire prize money to relief work for people hit by the floods in Bihar and Assam, Pinkvilla reported. The Free Press Journal also noted that he and Swara, rivals outside the show, grew close in the Tower, with Shehzad often calling her his sister. All the placings are on our Rise and Fall 2 contestants list.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Rise and Fall was his reality TV debut, and he won it at the first attempt.
- He succeeds actor Arjun Bijlani, who won the show’s first season.
- Karan Patel called him “baaton ka shehzada, shabdo ka shehzada”, a prince of words, during the Ticket to Finale episode (Filmibeat).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won Rise and Fall Season 2?
Shehzad Poonawalla won the season on 6 November 2026 and took home Rs 35 lakh. Priyanka Chahar Choudhary was the first runner-up and Gautam Gulati the second runner-up.
How old is Shehzad Poonawalla?
He was born on 17 October 1987, so he is 39 years old.
Is Shehzad Poonawalla still in the BJP?
He was a BJP national spokesperson for several years. In July 2026 the Free Press Journal, citing News18, reported that he had resigned from the party for personal reasons, and outlets covering the finale described him as a former BJP spokesperson.
Is Shehzad Poonawalla related to Tehseen Poonawalla?
Yes. Tehseen Poonawalla, the activist and political commentator, is his brother. He appeared on Rise and Fall 2 on 29 October 2026.
What will Shehzad do with the Rise and Fall prize money?
He said he would donate the full Rs 35 lakh to flood relief in Bihar and Assam.
More Rise and Fall 2 Biographies
- Priyanka Chahar Choudhary Biography: first runner-up
- Gautam Gulati Biography: second runner-up
- Swara Bhasker Biography: finished fourth
- Rise and Fall 2 Contestants List
