Rise and Fall 2025 In September 2025, India got a new reality show that has been buzzing everywhere—Rise & Fall. Hosted by Ashneer Grover, the show is adapted from a British format, but it has its own flavour, its own set of contestants, and its own kind of tension. It’s not just about showing your best side—it’s about survival, betrayals, rising to power, falling from grace, and everything in between.

What Is Rise & Fall About?

At its heart, Rise & Fall is a contest in human behaviour and decision-making, more than just tasks. Contestants are divided into two groups: Rulers and Workers.

The Rulers live in luxury in a penthouse. They have comfort, privileges, influence.

The Workers are in the basement; they struggle with fewer comforts and have to work to earn things.

Over time, this division does not stay fixed. Workers may move up, rulers may fall down. Decisions by the Rulers, choices by Workers, alliances, betrayals—all shift the balance. The show tests how people act when they have power, and how they react when that power is at risk.

What makes the show interesting is not just the comfort vs discomfort, but the human emotions: pride, fear, trust, jealousy. Everyone wants to be at the top. But staying there is hard.

Where Does It Come From?

The idea of Rise & Fall came originally from a British reality show. The British version had a similar split between two groups (often called “Rulers” and “Grafters”) where contestants do tasks, make decisions, and vote people out. 

India’s version keeps the core idea but brings in local celebrities, personalities, and viewers’ interests. This gives it new twists. 

Who Are the Contestants?

One of the strengths of Rise & Fall India is its mixed cast. People from many walks of life, known and less known, who come with different skills, stories and fan followings. This mix raises both competition and emotional stakes. Some of the participants are:

Arjun Bijlani – popular TV actor. 

Dhanashree Verma – dancer, choreographer, social media figure. 

Kiku Sharda – comedian, someone who can entertain but also has to fight to stay. 

Aahana Kumra – actor with strong presence and acting skill. 

Aditya Narayan – singer and host, known face. 

Pawan Singh – Bhojpuri star brings a different fan base and a strong personality. 

Kubbra Sait, Nayandeep Rakshit, Arbaz Patel, Aarush Bhola, Sangeeta Phogat, Anaya Bangar, Bali, Akriti Negi, Noorin Sha – all of them bring variety. Some come from sports, some from entertainment, some from digital platforms. 

Because people bring different backgrounds (actors, comedians, influencers, athletes), the ways they behave, the alliances they form, the way they argue or cooperate, all make for dramatic moments.

What Makes It Different?

Why are people talking about Rise & Fall more than many other shows? A few reasons:

Constant Shift of Power

Unlike other reality shows where once you’re safe, you more or less stay safe, Rise & Fall makes power fragile. One decision can shift someone from the penthouse to the basement. That unpredictability keeps viewers on edge. 

Emotional Stakes

Contestants are forced to make moral choices: help someone, betray them, or stay quiet. And because many are public figures, their reputations matter. What they do is not just game-play; it reflects how people see them outside the show.

Diverse Contestants

Having celebrities + athletes + influencers + people known for different skills creates unpredictable combinations. Someone used to hard physical work may bring endurance, someone coming from comedy may have emotional intelligence or social skills.

Viewer Investment

Because the show works daily, and because every episode may bring a twist, viewers become invested—not just in who wins, but how people change, who trusts whom, who breaks under pressure.

Host with a Difference

Ashneer Grover is known for being outspoken (from Shark Tank India). Having him as host adds a certain gravity. He’s not just a narrator; his presence influences how people behave behind cameras. 

Risks and Criticism

The show is not perfect. Some viewers have noted:

Drama vs. Authenticity: Sometimes it feels like arguments are forced or exaggerated for TV.

Unequal Vote / Power: There may be criticism that some contestants have more popularity outside which gives them an advantage.

Emotional toll: For contestants, being under constant pressure can hurt mental health, especially with social media watching every move.

Early Highlights (What Fans Are Saying)

Viewers are especially curious to see how Pawan Singh, Arjun Bijlani, and Akriti Negi perform under pressure. Their fan bases expect strong displays. 

There is intense competition between Aahana Kumra and Bali: opinions clash, alliances are tested. Their conflict has become a talking point. 

Many are also watching to see who will be richest in terms of fame or net worth among contestants. Kiku Sharda is often mentioned as having one of the largest profiles/wealth. 

What It Means for Reality TV in India

Rise & Fall signals that Indian reality TV is moving into more complex storytelling. Viewers don’t just want entertainment; they want to see human behaviour under stress, they want strategic moves, they want to feel part of the story.

Also, mixing people from very different backgrounds is becoming a norm: actors, athletes, influencers. Shows are realising that diversity increases interest, and makes the outcomes less predictable.

Furthermore, the show being available both on television (Sony Entertainment Television) and on OTT (Amazon MX Player) means people can choose how they watch—a sign of changing viewer habits. 

I believe Rise & Fall works well because it holds a mirror to how society works. Power is never fixed. What matters is who adapts, who stays true, who takes risks. The show teaches us more about people than many other reality formats, because it forces moral choices.

If there is one piece of advice I’d give to contestants, it would be: don’t just think of winning tasks, think of relationships. Trust matters. Sometimes making a friend or an ally is more useful than winning one challenge.

For the audience, the ride is going to be fun. There will be surprises, disappointments, maybe betrayals—but that’s exactly what keeps us watching.

Rise & Fall is more than just a reality show. It is a test of strategy, character, and adaptation. With its strong cast, shifting power dynamics, and moral challenges, it promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether you love your favourite contestant or hate their style, the show will make you think: if you were put in the penthouse, would you stand tall—or quietly fear the fall?