The reality show "Rise and Fall" concluded recently, but the drama both on and off-screen continues to generate headlines. Arjun Bijlani, the winner of the show, has revealed that he is currently "not on talking terms" with fellow contestant Dhanashree Verma. This revelation follows a series of events on the show involving Verma's personal life and interactions with other contestants, sparking debates about strategy, empathy, and personal boundaries.
During the show, Dhanashree Verma, who was previously married to Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, openly discussed her troubled marriage, even accusing Chahal of infidelity early in their relationship. These revelations led to divided opinions among viewers, with some empathizing with Verma and others suggesting she was using her personal story as a strategy on the show. Bijlani, however, maintained that he offered her support and empathy during those moments, clarifying that his actions were not motivated by gameplay.
"She was crying and sharing some things about her past life. I was listening and voiced my opinion calmly because it was just a normal conversation," Bijlani stated in an interview with The Hindustan Times. "I didn't do anything for the game. For me, it was a moment of empathy". He also acknowledged that Verma spoke openly about her personal life, something he personally would not have done. Despite this, he added, "even if she was lying or doing all that for the game, how would I know? I was just being considerate".
Another controversy arose when fellow contestant Arbaz Patel made comments about Verma hugging male contestants on the show. Patel reportedly asked Verma to avoid giving "front hugs" to the male contestants, a statement that surprised Bijlani. Bijlani addressed the situation, stating that Patel didn't have the right to make such comments, especially since he wasn't in a relationship with Verma. However, he also noted that he didn't interfere further because Verma herself didn't react strongly to Patel's remarks.
The dynamics between Bijlani and Verma appeared to shift during the show, culminating in a heated exchange where Verma accused Bijlani of "dhokebazzi" (cheating) in challenges. This argument arose when contestants were asked to identify the most deceitful worker among them. Bijlani pointed towards Aditya, while Verma defended Aditya's actions as a strategy. The exchange escalated, with Verma stating that both Aditya and Arjun had cheated in challenges.
While the specific reasons for Bijlani and Verma not being on talking terms remain unclear, the events of "Rise and Fall," including Verma's personal revelations and the conflicts that arose between contestants, likely contributed to the current situation. Bijlani has not elaborated on the details of their fallout, maintaining a professional stance in his public comments. The finale of "Rise and Fall" saw Arjun Bijlani emerge victorious, taking home a cash prize of Rs 28 lakh and a trophy, defeating finalists Aarush Bhola, Arbaz Patel, Dhanashree Verma, Akriti Negi, and Nayandeep Rakshit.
