Arbaz Patel Admits Friendship With Dhanashree Was Strategic Alliance

After finishing as the second runner-up on Amazon MX Player’s reality show “Rise & Fall,” actor Arbaz Patel has revealed that his much-highlighted friendship with choreographer Dhanashree Verma was purely strategic. In an interview with India Today, Arbaz clarified that the bond was an “alliance” rather than a genuine connection, emphasizing that survival on such shows demands calculated gameplay over authentic relationships.

Strategic Gameplay Over Real Connections

The former Bigg Boss Marathi contestant explained that building alliances is essential for progressing in competitive reality shows. Arbaz stated, “Whenever I am on a show, I play the game. It’s really difficult to survive otherwise. You are here to win. Friendships and relationships can be achieved in the real world.”

He further elaborated on his equation with Dhanashree, noting how it fluctuated based on his position in the game. When he held power as a ruler, she remained friendly, but her behavior shifted when his status changed. Arbaz emphasized that this dynamic was deliberate strategy rather than betrayal, highlighting how contestants often mislabel alliances as friendships simply because they spend considerable time together.

Accepting Arjun Bijlani’s Victory

Despite his aggressive gameplay earning him criticism and making him one of the most hated contestants, Arbaz expressed no regrets about his strategic approach. He acknowledged that Arjun Bijlani deserved the trophy, stating, “If someone played the game well after me, it was Arjun, and I am happy to see him win.”

Arbaz concluded by clarifying that his connection with Dhanashree would likely not translate into real-world friendship, reinforcing his belief that reality show bonds remain confined to the game itself.