Mini Mathur, who won Alliance, came away from the experience with a reassessed relationship with ageing, vanity and the life choices that shaped her journey. The reality show pushed her to let go of the control and polish that usually accompany a public appearance and embrace a more unfiltered version of herself.

She said, “When you have a camera on you 24/7, you can’t look your best all the time, and I actually embraced that for the first time. I watched a couple of episodes and thought, ‘Sh*t, Mini, you’ve never looked worse.’ It was hard because I was absolutely stripped of everything. But I felt liberated. I learnt a lot about ageing and vanity on the show. Every time I have presented my best version to myself, it has been about how I look. The moment I stripped myself of vanity and everything to do with lines and wrinkles, there I was with the trophy. The real me has value.”

The experience also changed how Mini viewed the choices she made before entering the entertainment industry.

She shared, “I always felt that I entered the industry late because I did my post-graduation and then worked for two years. I felt that somehow all of that was a waste of time and perhaps wasn’t valued enough. But today, I feel proud that every single maths problem I solved and every passion I pursued in life matters. It brought me to tears to realize that all those years I spent thinking, ‘Damn, I should have started 10 years earlier,’ had actually come to something. It’s never too late to learn, apply what you’ve learnt in life and win.”

In a previous interview, soon after winning Alliance, Mini had shared, “I didn’t need this show to revive my career or get millions of followers. I went in because I wanted to challenge myself. I have a 30-year television career behind me, and I didn’t want to do anything that would put what I’ve built over three decades in jeopardy. So, I realized that the only way to play the game was to be my most authentic self because anything else I did would have been called out. I don’t like toxicity, arguments or loud physical displays of aggression, so whenever that happened, I moved away from the situation. But I always put my point across without having to shout anyone down in public. I’m happy that somebody who’s not the reality-show winner stereotype actually won. I’m sure there were other people who were equally deserving, but I fought them tooth and nail, physically and mentally.”

The physical and confrontational nature of the game also brought her face to face with what she sees as a male-centric understanding of power.

She says, “I detest this whole male paradigm that equates power with men, brawn and testosterone-laden bodies. Every time those alliances were formed where a big guy met another big guy and one token girl was included, I thought, ‘I ain’t playing in nobody’s shadow.’ I haven’t come this far in my life in anybody’s shadow. I didn’t come here to play safe. I wanted to be my own power centre and play my own game.”

Age became another assumption Mini refused to accept. Being told that a woman her age had never reached so far in a reality show only reinforced what she considers an outdated view of women over 50. 

She shared, “This is 2026. Women are no longer making achars at 50. At 54, I’m at my sharpest and physically fittest right now. I want to break this mould that women over 50 are weak, don’t deserve space of their own, have to live in the shadows, be nurturers and givers, and that somehow their best is over. Hopefully, my win is a message that you can have main-character energy at 50 and reinvent yourself at any time. You don’t have to be 30 to compete with 20-year-olds.”

Sohail Khan’s recent appearance at the wrap-up party of reality show Alliance sparked concern among fans, with pictures from the gathering prompting questions about his noticeable weight loss. While some social media users wondered if the actor was dealing with health issues, others speculated whether GLP-1 weight-loss drugs were behind the change.

Speaking to us, Sohail says his weight loss was linked to health issues he faced soon after entering the reality show: “I got a bit claustrophobic in the first few days, as it was my first time being a part of a reality show. A stomach bug added to that in the first week itself of entering the house. I must tell you, the love and concern, not only about my health, but at any given time by contestants, made me stay in for five weeks, though I was unwell in the first itself.”

The actor adds that the illness also forced him to watch what he ate so that he could continue participating in the show’s challenges: “I just needed to control what I was eating as I wanted to be a part of the challenges and be around the new family and friends that I made till the last day, and now for a lifetime. So no Ozempic, no fat burners, I’m only taking pure and loads of love and affection from everyone.”

Rivva Kishan, who was recently seen in the reality show Alliance, carrying the surname of actor-politician Ravi Kishan comes with both privilege and pressure. Rivva says, "I had a front-row seat to what this profession really demands. People often see the success, but I saw the years of discipline, resilience, and hard work that went into building it. Watching my father navigate different industries and constantly reinvent himself taught me that longevity is earned every single day."

She adds, "I'm incredibly proud to be Ravi Kishan's daughter, that's a part of my identity I'll never shy away from. But I also know that as an actor, I have to create my own voice, make my own choices, and earn my own place."

She adds, "There will always be expectations, whether because of my surname or because people are curious to see what I bring to the table. I've learned to see that as motivation rather than pressure. For me, success isn't about stepping out of my father's shadow; it's about standing confidently in my own light."

Addressing the perception that star kids have it easy, she says, "I'm aware that my surname opens conversations. Being Ravi Kishan's daughter is something I'm deeply proud of. I've never looked at this journey as something I have to distance from my father, nor as something I can simply inherit. His legacy belongs to him; my responsibility is to build my own. If I succeed, I want it to be because I consistently delivered. And if I fail, I want to learn from it and come back stronger not because someone protected me from failure. Yes, there are privileges, and I'm grateful for them. But there is also pressure, scrutiny, and a constant need to prove yourself."

On whether she sees herself working in Bhojpuri cinema, the industry her father brought to the forefront, Rivva says, "I don't like to look at cinema through the lens of language alone, I look at it through the lens of storytelling. India is home to so many incredible film industries, each with its own culture, voice, and audience, and I'd love the opportunity to work across them if the right stories come my way. Of course, Bhojpuri cinema will always hold a special place in my heart because it's a part of my roots and my family's journey. If a truly exceptional script comes along, one that has depth, sincerity, and something meaningful to say, I would absolutely love to be a part of it. I'm very comfortable with Hindi, and it's naturally a space I connect with. But as an actor, I don't want to limit myself."

Making her movie debut in 2020 with Sab Kushal Mangal, it's been six years, Rivva has not done any other work. Ask why audiences haven't seen her as frequently after her debut, and she replies, "Every actor has a different journey, and mine has taught me the value of patience. After my debut, I did receive opportunities, but I also realized very early on that I wanted to be part of stories that genuinely moved me and characters that challenged me as an actor."

If Sohail Khan’s participation in Alliance wasn’t enough to pique viewers’ curiosity, Seema Sajdeh’s entry into the reality show added another layer of intrigue. The former couple, who separated in 2022 after 24 years of marriage, found themselves under the same roof once again, prompting many to wonder if the arrangement would be awkward. However, the season unfolded without the discomfort many had anticipated, with the two maintaining a cordial equation throughout.

Seema reflects, “At the end of the day, we are parents to two beautiful boys. We’ve been divorced for four years now. We’ve gone through our motions and we’re a great team when it comes to the boys. We’re better friends than we ever were as a couple.”

During the show, Sohail said Alliance had helped the two reconnect and restored a “missing link” in their relationship.

Asked if living together in the house had changed the way she viewed their equation, Seema responds, “Sohail is an emotional person. I think being in captivity made him even more emotional. But no. Like I said, we’re a unit when it comes to our children and we’re co-parenting them beautifully. We’re great friends today. Every divorce has its stages of anger and lashing out. We’ve been through all of that, the toxic phase and the bad phase. It’s all done and dusted now because we both have to think about our two children, who never asked for any of this. I think we are better allies as friends than we ever were as a couple.”

Reflecting on her time inside the Alliance house, Seema believes many contestants misunderstood what the game truly demanded.

She says, “I was surprised by how competitive people were, as though they were competing in the Olympics. But Alliance isn’t just about the physical challenges because they take up only about 30 minutes of the day. For the rest of the time, you’re living with 16 people, building connections and forming emotional alliances. For me, that was a huge part of the game, and many contestants didn’t understand it.”

Reality shows are often synonymous with shouting matches and ugly confrontations, but Seema believes authenticity matters more than theatrics. “Bhaiyya, it’s not all about the TRPs. Ratings are temporary. After that, you have to step back into the real world and be able to sleep peacefully at night. The most important thing in life is to be authentic to who you are. For me, my dignity and my upbringing matter far more,” she signs off.

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Seema Sajdeh and Sohail Khan’s reunion on Alliance became one of the season’s biggest talking points. Reflecting on their equation after divorce, Seema says years of co-parenting have helped them move past the difficult phases, adding that they are better friends today than they ever were as a couple.

Sohail Khan recently opened up about a painful chapter from his childhood during the latest episode of Alliance. The Maine Dil Tujhko Diya actor revealed that he had faced sexual harassment as a young boy and kept the experience to himself for several years. Sohail shared this personal account while discussing his strong stance against bullying and ragging. He explained that his own past has shaped the way he guides and supports his sons, Nirvaan and Yohan.

While interacting with fellow contestants, Sohail spoke about the importance of creating an environment where children feel safe to share their concerns. He said he often encourages his sons to openly talk to him if they ever face bullying, discomfort or any situation that troubles them.

The actor said, “I am strongly against ragging. I have always told Yohan and Nirvaan, ‘Beta, don’t feel shy or embarrassed to come and tell me if someone is bullying you,’ because I have experienced this myself.”

“In fact, I was sexually harassed by someone when I was young, and I kept it to myself for years. When I grew up and became an adult, I finally confided in my father. I told him, ‘Daddy, this happened to me.’ He asked me, ‘Son, you kept this inside you for so many years?’ I said, ‘I am sorry, but I was too embarrassed to talk about it.’ It was not my fault, but at that time, you still feel the shame. So, I just keep on telling my children, “Boss, kuch bhi ho jaye, always share,” added Sohail.

Sohail Khan had earlier opened up about his marriage with Seema Sajdeh and reflected on the reasons behind their separation. The Tubelight actor admitted that his own actions and behavior played a role in the relationship falling apart.

“At that time, kaam theek nahi chal raha tha, so I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. Because of my behaviour, I lost someone I really loved.”

Actor, director, and producer Sohail Khan is set to make his reality show debut with Alliance. Calling it an opportunity to move beyond being only seen as “Salman Khan’s brother”, Sohail says, “In the show, there’s no family name to lean on. No industry clout. It’s just me, my mind, and how I play the game.” He adds, “If people walk away seeing a side of me they didn’t expect, good. That’s exactly why I’m here.”

Having watched his brother, Salman, host a reality show for years, Sohail says he never saw himself entering the same until now because the format demanded something different.

“I’ve seen what it takes, the energy, the drama, the emotional toll. And I always thought, ‘That’s his space, not mine’,” he says, adding, “Salman’s show is about personalities, conflicts and emotions. But this one is fundamentally different. It’s a game of the mind. Strategy. Outwitting people without them knowing they’ve been outwitted. That challenge appealed to me in a way nothing else has.”

Ask him how Salman reacted when he decided to participate, Sohail says his brother was both encouraging and cautious. “He was intrigued. And then he said, ‘You sure you know what you’re getting into?’ Which, knowing him, is both a warning and a blessing. I’ll take it,” says the 55-year-old.

Sohail also weighs in on what the Khan family dynamic would look like inside a reality TV show, saying each member would play the same role they do in real life. “The leader is obviously Salman.... He walks into any room and it reorganizes itself around him,” he says, adding, “The peacemaker would probably be Arbaaz (Khan, actor-director). He listens, mediates and keeps everyone grounded. And the master strategist? I’d say me, but honestly, it might be my mother (Salma Khan). She’s been managing this family for decades. Three sons, three different personalities, three different egos. If that’s not master-level strategy, I don’t know what is.”

As his son Nirvaan Khan, whom he shares with ex-wife, fashion designer Seema Sajdeh, prepares for his Bollywood debut, Sohail has one piece of advice: “He’s his own person. He’s going to find his own path, make his own mistakes and build his own career. The only thing I keep telling him is: be honest with yourself about why you want this. If it’s for the right reasons, the work will follow.”

Sohail shares, “That I’m someone who’s had it easy. Or that I’m ‘Salman’s brother.’ I’ve spent my career building things quietly, directing, producing, acting, without needing to be the loudest voice in the room.”