Mumbai, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actress and host Mini Mathur, who emerged as the winner of the reality show Alliance, has praised fellow contestant Kushal Tandon for staying authentic throughout the competition, saying she never felt he was putting on an act for the cameras.
Talking about Kushal’s journey on the show and whether being underestimated helped him become a stronger contender, Mini told IANS that the actor was simply being himself despite being one of the most polarising contestants.
“I think Kushal was simply being himself. I never felt he was performing for the cameras. In real life, he is quite direct and aggressive in the way he speaks,” Mini said.
She added that Kushal’s straightforward personality may have divided opinions, but it was also the reason many of his fans connected with him.
“That is simply his personality, and perhaps that is exactly what his fans appreciate. I am not here to judge him. I never entered the show to lecture anyone or become someone’s therapist,” she said.
Mini revealed that she had advised Kushal on several occasions to reduce his aggression, but he believed that his audience liked him for who he was.
“I told him that I felt he could tone down his aggression, but he believed his audience liked him exactly the way he was,” she added.
While acknowledging that Kushal’s approach sometimes left him isolated in the game, Mini highlighted his loyalty towards people he formed bonds with inside the show.
“One thing I genuinely respect is his loyalty. The people he stood by in the very beginning, he continued to support until the end. Whether it was Sohail bhai, Reba, or me, he remained loyal throughout the journey,” she said.
Mini, who is married to filmmaker Kabir Khan, further shared that despite disagreements and arguments, Kushal always maintained respect towards her.
“Even when we disagreed or argued, he never stopped supporting me. He respected me throughout the show, and because of that, I have nothing negative to say about Kushal Tandon,” she said.
Hosted by Kunal Kemmu, Alliance featured 16 contestants entering the show as allies, but changing loyalties, strategic moves and unexpected betrayals tested their partnerships as they competed for the ultimate prize.
The reality show, which premiered on June 26, is the first international adaptation of Talpa Studios’ Dutch format created by John de Mol. Produced by Banijay Asia, Alliance is streaming on Prime Video.
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