Anish Bhagat, the popular content creator and storyteller with over a million Instagram followers, is reportedly joining the second season of the reality show Rise and Fall on Prime Video, according to sources close to the production. While the makers have not yet officially confirmed his name, a source has told HT City that the creator is being considered for the show and is preparing to enter the house. The news comes just days after the makers announced the first batch of confirmed contestants for the upcoming season, which premieres on September 26, 2026.
Who Is Anish Bhagat
Anish Bhagat began his content creation journey in 2018 and rose to prominence with stories focused on people and their real-life experiences. His Instagram account, @anishbhagatt, has become a space for personal and relationship-driven storytelling, earning him a loyal following of over 975,000 followers.
His content often goes beyond entertainment. Bhagat has used his platform to spotlight individuals and causes, including arranging a pilgrimage to the Ram Mandir for his building’s security guard. He also met UP Board topper Prachi Nigam after she faced online trolling, an interaction that received widespread attention.
In October 2024, Bhagat made headlines for helping his house help, Reshma Di, buy her first home without any loan. The emotional video documented her journey and the Griha Pravesh ceremony at her new home, amassing over five million views on Instagram. The video featured Bhagat explaining how he involved Reshma in his branded content so a portion of the earnings could go toward her dream of financial independence.
His work has since expanded beyond social media. Anish released singles such as Souvenir and Kyu Tu Door. He was also seen in Bandish Bandits season 2, where he played the role of Kingshuk.
In June 2025, Bhagat shared his personal journey of coming out, revealing that he was outed in high school rather than choosing to come out on his own terms. “My coming out story wasn’t some grand, cinematic moment. In fact, it was far from it. I was dating someone in high school, and a few of my friends came across our private chats,” he told Times Now. He later reclaimed his narrative publicly, saying, “I didn’t want my identity to be something others whispered about. So I reclaimed it — not as rebellion, but as self-respect.”
In December 2025, Bhagat shared a video showing his parents supporting him through a mental health crisis, earning widespread admiration online. His father, a retired Indian army officer, was seen saying, “We’re going to meet him… we are not going anywhere.” The post highlighted how his parents stayed by his side, even booking his therapist appointments.
Rise and Fall Season 2 Format and Host
Rise and Fall is adapted from a British format originally created by Studio Lambert and is produced in India by Banijay Asia. The show places 15 celebrity contestants into two sharply divided groups: the Rulers and the Workers. The Rulers live in a penthouse with greater privileges, while the Workers operate from a basement, creating a clear hierarchy of power and status. Positions are not fixed, and contestants can move between the two groups as the game progresses, with strategy, alliances, and decisions determining who rises and who falls.
Only a Ruler can win the show, making every move critical. The season spans 42 days of non-stop entertainment, with new episodes releasing daily.
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is hosting this season, replacing Ashneer Grover, who hosted season one. Sehwag’s appointment marks his streaming debut as a reality-show host. Speaking about the role, Sehwag said:
“Cricket has taught me one thing — no match is won before the final ball, and Rise and Fall Season 2 takes that unpredictability to another level. As a host, what excites me about this game is that there are no easy wins and no fixed positions. The biggest challenge isn’t just getting to the top but knowing how to stay there.”
Confirmed Contestants So Far
The makers have officially confirmed several contestants for the upcoming season. The first four names revealed were Swara Bhasker, Shehzad Poonawalla, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, and Karan Patel. Since then, Sara Gurpal and Kajal Raghwani have also been announced as contestants. Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, is also set to enter the show. Niharika Tiwari has been confirmed as well.
Swara Bhasker, known for her outspoken nature, said in a statement:
“I’ve always been someone who wears her opinions on her sleeve, so entering a game like Rise & Fall Season 2 is going to be quite an experience. The show brings together personalities with very different perspectives, and when power and strategy come into play, I’m sure those differences will make for some fascinating dynamics.”
Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, who previously appeared on Bigg Boss 16 and emerged as the second runner-up, shared her excitement about the show’s unique format:
“I’ve experienced reality television in different forms, but Rise & Fall Season 2 brings a whole new dimension to the game. The idea of going from being a Ruler to a Worker and having your position shaped by the choices you make, makes this experience especially exciting for me.”
Karan Patel, a well-known television actor, said the show gives him a chance to enter a completely different arena as himself. Shehzad Poonawalla, who recently resigned from the BJP, noted that the show’s title has a personal connection to his own journey: “My life and journey has been synonymous with rise and fall.”
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What Anish Bhagat Brings to the Show
A source close to the production told HT City that Bhagat’s storytelling background could make him an interesting addition to the house. “Given the kind of content he has done so far, it will be interesting to see how he approaches the show,” the source said.
Bhagat’s content is rooted in empathy and human connection, qualities that could serve him well in a game built on shifting power dynamics and social strategy. His ability to read people and share their stories may give him a unique perspective in a house full of strong personalities.
While his participation has not been officially announced by the makers, the source confirmed that he is preparing to enter the reality show and that nothing has been officially announced yet.
Premiere Details and Streaming Info
Rise and Fall Season 2 premieres on September 26, 2026. The show will stream for free on Prime Video and the MX Player Android app, which now operates under its refreshed identity as MX Player by Prime Video. New episodes will release daily at 12 PM. The season is sponsored by Lux Nitro as a special partner and Mallcom India as a safety partner.
The first season of the show was won by Arjun Bijlani and was hosted by Ashneer Grover. With a new host, a fresh lineup of contestants, and the possible addition of Anish Bhagat, season two is shaping up to be a dramatic battle for power and survival.
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