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Rise and Fall 2: Lesser-known facts about winner and former politician Shehzad Poonawalla

Updated On: 06 November, 2026 03:31 PM IST | Aakruti Bagla

After a journey filled with shifting fortunes, difficult choices and relentless challenges, MX Original Rise and Fall Season 2 has crowned Shehzad Poonawalla as its ultimate winner. Gautam Gulati finished as the second runner-up, while Priyanka Chahar Choudhary as the first runner-up. As the former politician wins the show, have a look at lesser known facts about him.

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01
Shehzad Poonawalla (Pics/Special Arrangements, X)
Shehzad Poonawalla (Pics/Special Arrangements, X)
02
Shehzad Poonawalla was born on born October 17, 1987. After completing education, he entered politics at a very young age and was vocal about being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi ideologies.
Shehzad Poonawalla was born on born October 17, 1987. After completing education, he entered politics at a very young age and was vocal about being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi ideologies.
03
Shehzad Poonawalla's family's surname was Jamadar, which means toilet cleaner, so it was changed to Poonawalla by his father as it did not suit the name of a businessman.

Shehzad Poonawalla's family's surname was Jamadar, which means toilet cleaner, so it was changed to Poonawalla by his father as it did not suit the name of a businessman.
04
His father died in the year 1992, following which, his mother played an important role in the family.

His father died in the year 1992, following which, his mother played an important role in the family. 
05
Poonawalla was born into an Aga Khani Shia Muslim family, but he maintains a deeply pluralistic personal philosophy. His official social media bios famously list a distinct personal marker: "Religion Islam, Culture Hindu, Ideology Bhartiya".

Poonawalla was born into an Aga Khani Shia Muslim family, but he maintains a deeply pluralistic personal philosophy. His official social media bios famously list a distinct personal marker: "Religion Islam, Culture Hindu, Ideology Bhartiya".
06
He is the younger brother of well-known political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla. Despite growing up together, the two have experienced a multi-year political and personal estrangement due to opposing political ideologies.

He is the younger brother of well-known political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla. Despite growing up together, the two have experienced a multi-year political and personal estrangement due to opposing political ideologies.
07
Despite his high profile on national television, he has spoken about living simply in a small 400–500 square-foot single-room studio apartment.

Despite his high profile on national television, he has spoken about living simply in a small 400–500 square-foot single-room studio apartment.
08
Following his stepping down from official party positions in 2026, he launched social media advocacy campaigns (such as movements targeting personal income tax reform) and diversified into other media projects.

Following his stepping down from official party positions in 2026, he launched social media advocacy campaigns (such as movements targeting personal income tax reform) and diversified into other media projects.

09
Long before he became a full-time television debater, Poonawalla earned an LLB from Savitribai Phule Pune University and worked as a practicing civil rights lawyer.

Long before he became a full-time television debater, Poonawalla earned an LLB from Savitribai Phule Pune University and worked as a practicing civil rights lawyer. 

10
Shehzad Poonawalla has fought many civil rights cases as a lawyer including the Misbah Qadri case and the Mob Lynching of Junaid in Haryana, India.

Shehzad Poonawalla has fought many civil rights cases as a lawyer including the Misbah Qadri case and the Mob Lynching of Junaid in Haryana, India.
11
In September 2026, Shehzad Poonawalla became part of an altogether new form of entertainment when he joined Rise and Fall Season 2.

In September 2026, Shehzad Poonawalla became part of an altogether new form of entertainment when he joined Rise and Fall Season 2.
12
He won the show and lifted the trophy witha prize money of Rs 35 lakhs. He vowed to donate the money.

He won the show and lifted the trophy witha prize money of Rs 35 lakhs. He vowed to donate the money.

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