Inside the Indian Adaptation of Reality Hit ‘Rise and Fall’: ‘It’s a Pure Social Experiment About Power and Status’

​

When Banijay Asia set out to adapt the U.K. reality format “Rise and Fall” for Indian audiences, the company made a deliberate choice to abandon the crowded field of dance competitions and celebrity feuds for something more fundamental: a raw examination of social hierarchy and ambition.

The company’s Indian adaptation of “Rise and Fall,” the hit U.K. format originally created by Studio Lambert, premiered Sept. 6 on Amazon MX Player as a contemporary unscripted experiment that throws 16 celebrity contestants into a high-stakes social hierarchy. In its first week, the show has emerged as the most-watched streaming series in India, according to Ormax Media, suggesting the gamble may be paying off.

“Most Indian reality formats lean on interpersonal drama, dance, stunts or comic relief, but ‘Rise and Fall’ strips all that away,” says Mrinalini Jain, group chief development officer at Banijay Asia and EndemolShine India. “It’s a pure social experiment about power and status — who gets it, how they lose it and what they’ll do to climb up the ladder.”

The format divides contestants into two starkly different worlds: Rulers enjoy a plush penthouse while Hustlers live in a basement with only the basics. But no position is permanent — tasks, alliances, strategy and money can flip the balance at any time.

For the Indian market, Jain says the adaptation taps into universal themes while reflecting familiar social dynamics. “The idea of privilege and aspiration is universal, but the Indian adaptation mirrors the everyday hierarchies society knows well — power, social mobility, ambition and inequality,” she notes.

The casting deliberately spans India’s entertainment spectrum, mixing familiar television personalities like Arjun Bijlani and Kiku Sharda with digital stars like Dhanashree Verma and bold personalities like Kubbra Sait. The roster also includes Bhojpuri film star Pawan Singh, who commands a massive fan following, and accomplished athlete Sangeeta Phogat.

“This blend ensures different kinds of talent, ambition and conflict, creating alliances, rivalries and unexpected emotional moments,” Jain explains.

At the center of it all is host Ashneer Grover, whose sharp, unfiltered approach sets the tone for the entire production. “We wanted someone not from mainstream entertainment but upfront, blunt and different in how he engages people,” Jain says. “More than just a presenter, he’s a catalyst — provoking, questioning and keeping the game from ever becoming routine.”

The production design plays a crucial storytelling role, with the contrast between the luxurious penthouse and stark basement reinforcing the show’s central theme. “The ‘Rise and Fall’ houses are almost a character in themselves,” Jain observes. “The houses become a storytelling device in its own right — the elevator and movement between levels are not just physical but symbolic of shifting status.”

The show has found additional reach through a partnership with Sony Entertainment Television, which airs episodes at 10:30 p.m. while Amazon MX Player streams them at 12 p.m. daily, local time.

For Jain, the success lies in the format’s structural integrity. “‘Rise and Fall’ lives on its gameplay,” she says. “Every twist, every power shift, every decision is engineered by the format itself — it’s not about forced drama or filler. The game creates the story.”