Siwet Tomar Accuses Shehzad Poonawalla of Religious Provocation After ‘Rise and Fall S2’ Ouster

The world of reality television has been set ablaze barely days into its run, as Rise and Fall 2 witnesses its first major controversy. Social media star Siwet Tomar was abruptly evicted from the Prime Video and MX Player reality series following a heated physical altercation with political analyst Shehzad Poonawalla in the show's third episode. Now, Tomar has broken his silence, launching a scathing critique against Poonawalla and the circumstances leading to his ouster. Is Siwet Tomar Out of ‘Rise and Fall 2’? Alleged Physical Altercation with Shehzad Poonawalla Leads to Sudden Eviction.

Siwet Tomar Reacts to Fight with Shehzad Poonawalla

In an extended video statement shared on his Instagram, Siwet Tomar vehemently denied allegations of assaulting Shehzad Poonawalla from behind, clarifying, "I only held him by the collar". Tomar attributed the escalating tension to what he described as "constant provocation for at least 20 minutes" from Poonawalla, specifically highlighting a pervasive focus on religious debates within the show. "He only speaks about religion throughout the day," Tomar asserted, adding that contestants were explicitly instructed not to discuss religious topics outside the show, which fueled his desire to maintain distance from Poonawalla.

Tomar further accused Shehzad Poonawalla of ideological hypocrisy, stating, "How would I trust a person who keeps chanting Lord Hanuman's name, yet I see mutton on his plate four times a day? Brother wears a Rudraksh but eats chicken four times daily." He echoed a similar observation reportedly made by co-contestant Tej Pratap Yadav and questioned the loyalty of those supporting Poonawalla, saying, "To those supporting him a person who couldn't be loyal to his own beliefs- how would he be faithful to you? I feel Shehzad is a hypocrite."

Referring to a tattoo on his skin that reads "Veer Bhogya Vasundhara – the brave inherit the earth," Tomar conveyed a firm message: "If you think you can mislead people and I'll simply walk away, you clearly don't know me." He emphasised his commitment to his word and boundaries, vowing not to engage with anyone who has wronged him without a sincere apology. Tomar also called out the audience and online trolls, urging them to prioritise humanity over political agendas and cease religious divisions. He condemned abuses directed at his family, challenging the notion of "true Sanatani" behaviour and advocating against meat consumption.

Siwet Tomar Clarifies Shehzad Poonawalla Incident

 

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The 'Rise and Fall S2' Controversy and Fallout

The explosive altercation unfolded during the high-stakes 'Ultimate Ruler' task on Rise and Fall Season 2. The catalyst for the physical confrontation was reportedly an argument that stemmed from Shehzad Poonawalla questioning Siwet Tomar's apparent change in equation with Swara Bhasker, despite Tomar's earlier resolve not to speak to her following her remarks on the 'Jauhar' sequence in Padmaavat. Poonawalla reportedly accused Tomar of "double standards" and questioned his alignment with Bhasker.

Following the incident, which saw Poonawalla reportedly injured with torn clothes, Siwet Tomar was immediately evicted from the show, adhering to the production's strict zero-tolerance policy against physical violence. However, the controversy did not end with his departure. Fellow contestants Swara Bhasker and Karan Patel protested the decision, arguing that Poonawalla's provocation had contributed significantly to the escalation. Both celebrities briefly walked out of the Tower, demanding a re-evaluation of the incident and suggesting that if Tomar was removed, Poonawalla should face similar consequences. Who Is Siwet Tomar? All About ‘Rise and Fall S2’ Contestant Ousted After Fight With Shehzad Poonawalla.

Shehzad Poonawalla's team also released an Instagram statement, thanking supporters and defending his conduct. The statement highlighted Poonawalla's alleged silence despite being "abused," "mocked," and "hit". The dramatic events have undoubtedly intensified viewership and discussion around Rise and Fall 2, which premiered on September 26, 2026, hosted by former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, and streams daily at 12 noon IST on Prime Video and MX Player.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2026 12:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).