Aug 13, 2026 8:30pm IST
Kushal Tandon On ‘Alliance’: ‘At one point, it felt like all 16 contestants wanted me out of the show’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Kushal Tandon won the ‘Viewer’s Choice’ award on ‘Alliance’ while Mini Mathur took away the trophy. In a chat with Variety India, Tandon reveals how Ektaa Kapoor insisted that he do a captive reality show before working on his upcoming web series with her production house. Tandon is overjoyed with his journey on the show and feels thankful towards his mentor.
Excerpts from the interview…
What made you accept the offer for ‘Alliance’? Did the format attract you?
Frankly, I was done with reality shows 15 years back. The last show I did was ‘Bigg Boss 8’ and I was concentrating on my fiction projects. If Ektaa Kapoor would not have insisted, I would not have done ‘Alliance.’ The journey was crazy but amazing.
Why was she so adamant about it?
I didn't ask her (laughs). Maybe she had something in her mind. My last four shows are with her. She is handling my work personally and she has asked me to let her take decisions about my work for a year. She is a mentor, I don't question my mentor.
How would you look back at ‘Alliance’?
My journey has come out like a story full of emotions. I refrained from giving interviews right after my exit as I wanted to watch the episodes to see how I fared on 'Alliance'. It felt at one point, all 16 contestants wanted me out of the show. I guess the third week was the most emotional one as I broke down. I avoid reality TV for this reason as you always end up getting into some drama (laughs). It was wonderful to receive the Viewer’s Choice Winner Award. I always stood my ground on the show whether it was by supporting Ravi Kishan or teaming up with Sohail Khan when everyone thought he was a weak player.
What are your thoughts on Mini Mathur’s victory?
Mini is a very dignified woman and she played with poise. Even if I lost, I lost in front of my Mini. I am glad she’s won. Nobody was my competition except Mini.
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Your take on Arslan and Aly Goni’s gameplay?
When I saw the episodes of "Alliance", I saw that I got 40 minutes of footage in each one of them. This is because most of them wanted me eliminated. After three weeks, my side was stronger as people realized that their plans would not succeed. Arslan and Aly Goni had just one strategy, which was to badmouth me. They made me the centre of attraction.
Your name also came up in ‘Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa’...
I was in the multiverse (laughs). So, as a joke, I messaged Ekta that I'm sending you my bill with GST.
Your bond with Zaid Darbar was discussed a lot….
Zaid and I gelled as people. It had nothing to do with the fact that he is my ex-girlfriend’s (Gauahar Khan) husband. That chapter is over 15 years back and we all are mature people who believe in civility. Today, we are friends and people have seen what kind of guy he is.
On ‘Alliance’ the drama followed you everywhere much like it happened with Sidharth Shukla in ‘Bigg Boss 13’...
Yeah…it seemed similar. He was like a brother to me. He was my best friend. Our personalities are similar. We like to be ourselves, and just see the game begin.
Do you fear the judgement that precedes reality shows?
If I am in a reality show, people will judge me. I am glad to see how people saw my journey on the show as someone who was a bit rude but stood his ground. On ‘Alliance’, I did not misbehave with any female contestant nor did I get into a physical altercation. I could have hit someone but I did not wish to spoil my game.
Whenever personal life gets dragged on a show, it can be a tad awkward. How do your parents deal with it?
Everything is very transient. My parents have been living with me for two years. Of course, my mother was very affected. When she saw me crying, she just wanted me out of the show. My parents asked the makers to get me out of the show. It’s because she’s a mom. But as far as relationship talk coming up, they understand and are cool with it. My mom is very cordial with most of my friends and ex-girlfriends. I am on good terms with my former partners, maybe except three or four. She has been in touch with them so everything is good.
Shivangi Joshi’s fans are upset that you liked meme content about her post ‘Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa’...
I have no idea. I don’t like to talk about my personal life. Having said that, God bless her…I haven’t seen ‘Lock Upp’ but more power to her. I am not clued into her journey on that show but I hope she achieved what she had set out to do. I hope people will just stop spreading nonsensical rumors.
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