Virender Sehwag hosts Rise and Fall Season 2 starting September 26 on Prime Video and MX Player, with four contestants revealed for the reality show
New Delhi: Virender Sehwag is making his reality television hosting debut with Rise and Fall Season 2. The former India opener will replace Ashneer Grover, who hosted the first season, as the show returns on September 26, 2026. This marks Sehwag’s first-ever role as a reality show host after his celebrated cricket career. The new season will bring 15 celebrity contestants into a game built around power, alliances and shifting positions.
Virender Sehwag steps into a new role
Sehwag takes over the host’s chair from Ashneer Grover, who led the first season. The former cricketer retired from international cricket in 2015 after a career that made him one of India’s most aggressive opening batsmen. He also served as India’s vice-captain for several years.
Now, Sehwag moves from the cricket field to reality television for the first time. Banijay Asia produces the show, which adapts a hit UK reality format originally created by Studio Lambert.
When and where to watch
Rise and Fall Season 2 will premiere on September 26, 2026. Viewers can stream it for free on Prime Video as well as the MX Player Android app, which now operates as MX Player by Prime Video following its integration with Amazon.
The show will release new episodes daily. Season 2 is expected to run for 42 days, matching the duration of the first season. Prime Video India has also built anticipation around the September 26 launch, when the new season officially gets underway.
What is Rise and Fall, exactly?
For viewers discovering the show for the first time, Rise and Fall revolves around a simple idea: power can change hands quickly.
The contestants move between two positions — Rulers and Workers. Rulers enjoy greater power and advantages in the game, while Workers have to deal with more difficult conditions and challenges.
However, contestants do not simply stay in one group. Their decisions, alliances and relationships can change their position as the game progresses. This makes strategy a major part of the format. A contestant who holds power at one stage can find themselves in a weaker position later.
The format comes from a UK show created by Studio Lambert and focuses on how contestants handle changing power rather than following a fixed storyline.
The first four contestants revealed
The makers have confirmed four names from the 15-member celebrity lineup so far.
Television actor Priyanka Chahar Choudhary will return to reality television, while Karan Patel adds another familiar television face to the cast. Actor Swara Bhasker, known for her outspoken views on social and political issues, will also participate.
The fourth confirmed contestant is Shehzad Poonawalla, a former BJP spokesperson known for his sharp political commentary. The remaining 11 contestants have not been officially revealed yet.
A political voice enters the game
Poonawalla’s entry gives the lineup a different dimension. As a former BJP spokesperson, he is known for his public political commentary and outspoken presence.
His participation brings a political voice into a reality show that otherwise features actors and television personalities. However, the game itself will remain focused on the Ruler-Worker structure, alliances and contestant decisions.
Priyanka Chahar Choudhary’s reality TV return
Priyanka Chahar Choudhary already has experience with reality television, making her return one of the more familiar entries in the new lineup.
The television actor has indicated that Rise and Fall will offer her a different experience from her earlier reality-TV appearances. The shifting power structure could give her a new kind of challenge as she navigates alliances and changing roles.
A sweet moment: Shehzad Poonawalla’s brother sends good wishes
Shehzad Poonawalla also received a warm message from his brother Tehseen Poonawalla ahead of the show.
Tehseen wished him well and playfully hoped that his journey would bring plenty of “Rise” without the “Fall”. The family message added a lighter moment before Shehzad enters what promises to be a competitive reality-game environment.
Eleven contestants still to be named
With only four names confirmed, 11 contestants are still waiting to be announced.
Some reports have mentioned Gautami Kapoor and brothers Ronit Roy and Rohit Roy among the names approached for the remaining spots. However, their participation has not been officially confirmed, so these names remain unverified reports rather than part of the confirmed cast.
The makers are yet to reveal the complete lineup.
Looking back at Season 1
The first season aired from September 6 to October 17, 2025, on Amazon MX Player. It ran for 42 days and featured 16 contestants.
Television actor Arjun Bijlani won the season, while YouTuber Aarush Bhola finished as the runner-up and Arbaaz Patel placed third. The winner’s cash prize was reported at ₹28,10,000.
The show returned for a second season after building enough attention during its first run, with Season 2 announced by March 2026.
Sehwag now takes over the hosting duties as the new season prepares to launch. With four contestants confirmed and 11 more names still pending, the full picture of Season 2 is yet to emerge.
