Alliance Review: Classy Contestants And A Deserving Winner Made This Show Refreshingly Different

The year began with a string of reality shows that had me completely hooked throughout the first quarter. By the time Alliance arrived, I had no interest in starting yet another reality show. In fact, I had absolutely no plans to watch it.

That changed when Sohail Khan entered the show, followed by his ex-wife, Seema Khan. Having watched Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, I had always found Seema interesting. Naturally, I was curious to see how she and Sohail would interact in a competitive reality show. That curiosity was enough to pull me into watching Alliance.

However, it didn’t take long to realise that the show was less about “S and S” and more about Kushal Tandon, who dominated the game much like he seems to do in every show he is a part of. That said, calling Alliance “The Kushal Tandon Show” would be unfair. Unlike many reality shows that revolve around one or two standout contestants, Alliance featured a remarkably strong and classy lineup. Every contestant brought their A-game, elevating the competition and giving the show the sophistication it proudly boasts.

I missed the first few weeks, but once I caught up, I was completely invested. Every day, I found myself eagerly waiting for 12 p.m. just to catch quick glimpses of what was happening in the house because I simply couldn’t bear the suspense. Very few reality shows manage to keep me this engaged from week to week, and Alliance did exactly that. It had me hooked throughout its run, and I cannot wait to share everything I loved and a few things I did not like about it.

 

Alliance (2026)

Where to watch Alliance: Amazon Prime Video

This is a strategy-based reality show in which celebrity contestants live together while building relationships and forming alliances to help them advance in the game. Along the way, they face a series of physical and mental challenges that test their abilities and determine how long they can survive in the competition. As the alliances and groups are reshuffled every week, contestants must constantly adapt their strategies, decide whom to trust, when to betray, and how to navigate the ever-changing dynamics in their quest to reach the finale and win the show.

Review:

As I mentioned earlier, I started watching Alliance a couple of weeks after it had already begun airing. By then I already had a rough idea of what was happening on the show. Coincidentally, the first thing I watched was not an episode but the weekly recap video, which neatly summarized everything that had happened since the premiere. Within those 15 minutes, I knew I was going to enjoy the show.

Unlike many reality shows that thrive on endless personal conflicts and manufactured drama, Alliance was primarily driven by strategy and gameplay. Yes, there were fights and heated arguments, but they were never the main attraction. What kept me hooked was watching the constantly shifting alliances and the contestants having to change their strategies every single week.

The format itself was refreshing. The contestants were divided into four teams of four members each, while one contestant served as the Ace. The Ace did not participate in team tasks but held significant power, making crucial decisions that could influence who stayed in the game and who got eliminated. This structure ensured that the power dynamics kept changing and no one could afford to get too comfortable.

From the very first episode I watched, it was obvious that Kushal had complete control over the game. Contestants who opposed him often found themselves in danger, while those who worked with him usually remained safe. For a while, the game revolved entirely around him.

Everything changed with Aly Goni’s wildcard entry.

From the moment Aly entered, it felt like he had only one mission i.e. ruin Kushal’s game. Whether or not they openly admitted it, I could clearly sense that the two simply did not like each other. Rather than confronting Kushal directly, Aly played a much subtler game. He encouraged contestants who already had minor issues with Kushal to voice their opinions and gradually united them against him.

As more contestants started distancing themselves from Kushal, the pressure on him became increasingly visible. But the biggest blow came when he lost Arsalan Goni, one of his strongest allies.

Kushal undoubtedly has a huge ego, yet I found it interesting that he approached Arsalan several times to clear the misunderstandings and repair their friendship. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done, and Arsalan never seemed willing to rebuild that relationship.

From what I observed, it seemed like Kushal was keen on maintaining a good relationship with Arsalan and Sohail Khan, perhaps because of their influence outside the show. At times, it even felt like building those relationships mattered more to him than winning the game itself. My impression was that he saw this as an opportunity to form lasting industry connections beyond Alliance. However, Aly’s entry completely changed that equation. His rivalry with Kushal drove a wedge between Kushal and Arsalan, while Sohail also appeared to grow increasingly frustrated with Kushal’s frequent clashes with the other contestants. Whatever the reality may have been, one thing is certain that Kushal ensured that he remained the biggest talking point throughout the season and ultimately emerged as one of the audience’s favourite contestants. 

The audience rooted for Kushal because he played an open and fearless game. While Aly relied on a more subtle approach, Kushal never hesitated to confront anyone who crossed him. That was the biggest difference between the two contestants. Kushal wore his intentions on his sleeve, whereas Aly often targeted Kushal indirectly, choosing to operate from behind stronger alliances rather than taking him on himself.

This is also why, despite his frequent rudeness, Kushal emerged as one of the show’s standout contestants. His straightforward approach made him easy to understand and invest in, whereas Aly’s gameplay often came across as cowardly, leaving him looking more like a supporting player than a central force in the game.

The makers also noted Kushal’s growing popularity and were determined to keep Kushal’s rivalries alive. They brought back Vanshaj, who clearly had unfinished business with him, and later introduced Bali, who also wasn’t particularly fond of Kushal. Watching so many contestants repeatedly target one person eventually became emotionally exhausting, even for viewers.

There were moments when Kushal genuinely looked hurt, and seeing him break down unexpectedly made many viewers sympathize with him, including me. At one point, it felt like the entire house had turned against him, while the audience had quietly started rooting for him instead.

As the season progressed, Kushal and Arsalan’s rivalry became one of the biggest storylines. Thankfully, Alliance had a genuinely strong cast. Despite their constant clashes, the show never became repetitive because the shifting alliances, strategic decisions, and unpredictable gameplay kept things fresh.

Personally, I did find Kushal and Arsalan’s constant arguments a little frustrating after a point. Thankfully, contestants like Mini Mathur, Nikhil Chinapa, Payal Gaming, and Ruhee Dosani ensured the focus remained on the game rather than endless personal feuds. Their gameplay constantly reminded viewers that Alliance was, above all, a strategy show.

That is perhaps what I appreciated most about the series.

Many recent reality shows eventually descend into cheap controversies simply to generate headlines. Alliance never felt like that. Yes, contestants argued, but the show never resorted to the kind of unpleasant behaviour we may have seen elsewhere (spitting on people, damaging belongings, or crossing basic lines of respect). The contestants on Alliance knew how to disagree without completely losing their dignity.

Mini Mathur and Nikhil Chinapa especially stood out in this regard. Even during heated disagreements, they rarely shouted. Instead, they calmly, confidently, and logically made their point. One of my favourite moments involved Mini during a puzzle challenge. Agu repeatedly kept shouting accusations of cheating from the opposing side. Without raising her voice or losing her composure, Mini simply told him to “STFU” and immediately got back to the task. I honestly loved that moment. Yes, she used a cuss word, but it never came across as ugly or abusive. It was sharp, perfectly timed, and absolutely deserved.

Now that’s class.

I also appreciated how balanced most of the tasks were. Age and gender rarely became deciding factors because the games relied heavily on intelligence, teamwork, observation, puzzles, and planning. Quite a few challenges actually made me pause and think along with the contestants, which made watching the show even more enjoyable.

Among everyone, Mini Mathur was undoubtedly my favourite contestant. She was exceptional in almost every aspect of the game. Whether it was solving puzzles, analysing situations, making quick decisions, or reading people, she consistently impressed me. Her sharp mind helped her win several tasks, and I genuinely believe she was one of the smartest players in the house.

Many contestants claimed that Mini simply followed Nikhil’s lead, but I never saw it that way. She certainly trusted him and stood by him whenever necessary, but she always formed her own opinions and made her own decisions. She was never really playing someone else’s game. The moment she reached the finale, I honestly believed she deserved to win because she set a new standard for reality show contestants. She proved that you can give content without being crass. And I’m glad she did win because c’mon nobody else was worthy enough. 

 
Ruhee Dosani was another contestant who consistently impressed me. She completed tasks with incredible speed and confidence, willingly made sacrifices whenever her team needed her, and never hesitated to put the group’s interests ahead of her own. Even her confessionals were entertaining because she always had witty observations about everything happening around her.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Zaid and Kushal’s friendship. Zaid came across as one of the nicest and most level-headed contestants on the show. Perhaps that calm personality is exactly why he managed to be friends with someone as hot-headed as Kushal. He was also incredibly quick during physical tasks, and I genuinely hope we get to see him on Khatron Ke Khiladi someday. Strategy may not have been his biggest strength, but when it came to performing under pressure, he was consistently impressive.

Kunal Khemu did a good job as the host, although I barely remember seeing him because he appeared so infrequently. That said, whenever he did show up, he brought a fun energy to the show. His witty, rhyming one-liners added a touch of humour and helped lighten the mood, not just for the contestants but for the viewers as well.

 

Years from now, I will remember the season for two things Kushal’s complete dominance over the game and Mini Mathur’s brilliant strategic mind. They were the two contestants I looked forward to watching every week, and I genuinely believe the show would not have been nearly as engaging without them.

I give Alliance 4 out of 5 rating. The show featured one of the most mature and classy casts I’ve seen in a reality show, proving that you don’t need cheap controversies or personal attacks to keep viewers invested. It was strategy, shifting alliances, and intelligent gameplay that made Alliance so compelling.

 

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