'Zyada toh nahi lagi?' Shehzad Poonawalla's Rise & Fall thrashing by Siwet Tomar sparks reactions

Shehzad Poonawalla, former BJP spokesperson, was seen getting attacked by a co-contestant - Siwet Tomar - on the OTT reality show Rise & Fall.

Prefer HTon Google

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla was seen getting thrashed by a co-contestant in the latest episode of the reality show Rise & Fall, which airs on Prime Videos, sparking reactions from politicians who as videos of the incident went viral.

The episode showed an argument between actor Swara Bhasker and Shehzad Poonwalla turning ugly and ending up with another co-contestant, Siwet Tomar, joining the ruckus and thrashing the former BJP leader.

The argument between Swara Bhasker and Shehzad Poonawalla on Rise & Fall 2's Episode 3 appeared to be centred on their political and ideological differences.

Right before getting beaten, Shehzad Poonawalla could be heard referring to a tattoo of Siwet Tomar and saying despite getting that inked, he was siding with Swara Bhasker — who is considered left leaning. Among the many tattoos on his body, particularly left arm, Siwet carries a tattoo of what appears to be a Trishul, as seen on videos and his social media posts.

Poonawalla could later be seen showing his torn kurta on camera.

Opposition reacts to Shehzad Poonawalla's thrashing

Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj was among the politicians who reacted to the incident, saying on X, “कैमरे के सामने @Shehzad_Ind को इस तरह पीटना बेहद दुखद है। कड़ी निंदा! [Seeing Shehzad Poonawalla getting beaten on camera like this is extremely sad. Strong condemnation]”.

Former Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV also reacted to a video of the brawl. “शहजाद भाई, ज्यादा तो नही लगी...? कड़ी निंदा [Shehzad bhai, hope you didn't get too hurt. Strong condemnation]”.

Rashtriya Janta Dal national spokesperson Priyanka Bharti said the former BJP leader probably thought it was a studio and someone will come to save him.

"What has happened? I think the former BJP spokesperson was thinking, the anchor will come to save me! If not the anchor, then the analyst will surely save me! If not the analyst, then the "senior journalists" will surely save me!" she wrote in Hindi on X.

Shehzad Poonawalla's brother, Tehseen Poonwalla, added a reaction in the flood of commentary on social media. Reacting to a post which called Shehzad Poonawalla a “Shame for his family and brother,” Tehseen said on X, “Dude, never ever feel bad for me! I am a starwill always remain one.. Don't need sympathy ever! Let me be clear ...”

• 

  Nayanika is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, with over six years of experience in the digital media industry. She specialises in delivering clear, insightful coverage across general, national, and international beats, with a strong focus on breaking news and in-depth explainers. Known for her ability to decode complex developments, she enjoys unpacking layered political and policy issues into accessible, reader-friendly narratives that inform without overwhelming. She has previously worked in India's leading newsrooms, including India Today, News18, and Outlook, where she chased news, covered major events of the past six years and led teams. With a Master's degree in Political Science, Nayanika has a keen interest in international relations and global affairs. Her academic grounding shapes her analytical approach to stories, enabling her to connect the dots between domestic events and broader geopolitical currents. She is particularly drawn to stories that require context, nuance, and clarity - turning complicated subjects into compelling reads. Outside the newsroom, Nayanika is a passionate gourmand who loves cooking and sharing meals with loved ones. When she's not writing or tracking the latest headlines, she can often be found exploring local markets for fresh ingredients, seeking inspiration for her next culinary experiment.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.