Biography & Overview
Shehzad Poonawalla is an Indian lawyer, political commentator, columnist and television personality from Pune, Maharashtra. Born on October 17, 1987, he began his public and political career with the Indian National Congress before becoming widely known after publicly challenging the party's internal presidential election process in 2017. He subsequently became associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party and served as one of its prominent television spokespersons. Poonawalla has also worked in legal and social-activism spaces and has been active in political debates across television and digital platforms. In 2026, he stepped away from active BJP politics and later entered reality television as a contestant on Rise & Fall Season 2.
Political commentary, Television political debates, His political career with Congress and BJP, Public criticism of Congress leadership in 2017, Serving as a BJP national spokesperson, Political columns and public speaking, Reality show Rise & Fall Season 2
Personal Information
- Full Name
- Shehzad Poonawalla
- Birthplace
- Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Date of Birth
- October 17, 1987
- Religion
- Islam
- Hobbies
- Reading, Travelling, Public Speaking, Politics
Physical Statistics
- Height
- 5 ft 8 in / 173 cm
- Weight
- 65 kg
- Eye Color
- Black
- Hair Color
- Black
Education & Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Schools
St. Vincent's High School
Pune
Family & Relationships
- Father
- Sarfaraz Poonawalla
- Mother
- Yasmin Poonawalla
- Brother
- Tehseen Poonawalla
Career Milestones & Awards
2008 — Shehzad Poonawalla began his political journey with the Indian National Congress and became involved with the party's activities and public affairs.
Notable Works & Projects
Lawyer and legal professional
Political activist
Political commentator
Congress political career
BJP national spokesperson
Rise & Fall Season 2 contestant
Favorites & Preferences
Italian Cuisine
Paris
Kajol
Lesser-Known Facts & Trivia
- 1Shehzad Poonawalla was born in Pune, Maharashtra, on October 17, 1987.
- 2His father Sarfaraz Poonawalla was a businessman who died in 1992.
- 3His brother Tehseen Poonawalla is a political commentator and media personality.
- 4Poonawalla studied law and has a professional background as a lawyer.
- 5He became nationally prominent after challenging the Congress leadership and its internal presidential election process in 2017.
- 6He subsequently became associated with the BJP and was a regular participant in national television political debates.
- 7He was given responsibility related to the BJP's Delhi IT and social-media organisation in 2021.
- 8He has written about political and public-policy issues and has been described as a columnist and political commentator.
- 9In 2026, he stepped away from active BJP politics, citing personal reasons in reports about his resignation.
- 10He made his reality-TV debut as a contestant on Rise & Fall Season 2 in September 2026.
- 11He made his reality-TV debut as a contestant on Rise & Fall Season 2 in September 2026.
- 12Poonawalla entered the show alongside public figures including Swara Bhasker, Karan Patel and others.
