Shiv Thakare wins The 50, says 'You can stay true and still win'

Concluding one of India’s most ambitious reality formats, The 50, streaming on JioHotstar and airing on COLORS, crowned Shiv Thakare as the winner of its debut season. Based on the globally recognised format owned by Banijay, the show blended high-stakes gameplay with large-scale audience participation, emerging as a breakout digital-first reality property that drove strong engagement across platforms.

For the very first time, 50 celebrities came together under one roof, making The 50 a genre-defining spectacle. Guided by the commanding presence of the Lion, the show unfolded as a large-scale social experiment where survival depended not just on strength, but on strategy, relationships, and adaptability. Shiv Thakare’s journey stood out as he navigated this complex web with resilience, consistency, and a sharp understanding of the game.

A Game of Strategy, Survival and Strong Alliances

In one of the most intense arena tasks of the season, Lion introduced a game inspired by his own persona, strength, control and king-like dominance. The challenge required players to navigate a complex maze, complete four mini tasks to collect keys, and finally unlock and assemble a massive Lion face puzzle at the centre. The task unfolded in multiple stages: contestants had to first knock down hanging buckets using balls to retrieve a key, cross a broken bridge using planks to reach another suspended key, break through three walls to secure the third key, and finally navigate a zig-zag pole setup to retrieve the last key tied to a rope. Once all keys were collected, players had to climb a ladder, unlock multiple locks, and assemble a large 3D Lion face puzzle, a task that tested both mental sharpness and patience.

Kaka went first, taking a calm but slow approach. While he struggled with breaking barriers and lost his way at points, he remained composed throughout. The final puzzle proved especially challenging due to its size and similar-looking pieces, but with some help from fellow contestants, he managed to complete it. Krishna followed with better speed in navigating the maze but faced major hurdles during the lock-opening stage, something she had previously struggled with. Despite taking time to figure it out and getting visibly frustrated, especially with distractions from Archana, she eventually completed the puzzle with guidance from Lakshay.

The 50 was a completely new experience for me, and I wanted to show a different side of Shiv Thakare, one that believes you don’t need to shout or fight to be heard

- Shiv Thakare

High-Pressure Performances Test Contestants’ Limits

Shiv entered the task with a clear strategy and strong pace. With directions from Prince and quick decision-making, he moved efficiently through the maze. Even after briefly struggling to locate the final key, he recovered quickly and went on to solve the puzzle independently, finishing with confidence. Faisu also delivered a strong performance, matching Shiv’s pace in the maze. However, constant noise and distractions from other players affected his rhythm, forcing him to ask others to stay quiet. Despite losing some time, he stayed focused and completed the puzzle swiftly, determined to give his best.

In the end, Lion declared Shiv and Faisu as the fastest performers, with Shiv emerging as the winner of the challenge, proving his dominance in both strategy and execution.

A Win That Connects Fans and Players

Adding a unique emotional layer to the victory, The 50 also rewarded a loyal viewer, a lucky fan, Sitaram Pralhad Aghav, who consistently supported Shiv Thakare throughout the season with a grand prize of ?50 lakhs. This first-of-its-kind integration bridged the gap between players and audiences, turning fandom into a life-changing experience.

Reflecting on the win, Shiv Thakare said, “The 50 was a completely new experience for me, and I wanted to show a different side of Shiv Thakare, one that believes you don’t need to shout or fight to be heard. You can play with heart, stay true to yourself, and still win. Being the winner of the very first season, especially among 50 strong players, is something that will always be remembered, and that makes me incredibly happy. This was also a game of alliances, and I’m proud that my people stood strong with me throughout.

Coming from humble beginnings to winning one of India’s biggest reality shows feels surreal like my own life story unfolding as a film. I’ve truly enjoyed every moment of this journey, and I’m grateful for all the love and support. This win is as much mine as it is for my fans, and I’m especially happy that one of them will be taking home ?50 lakhs. Thank you so much, I’m overwhelmed and excited for what’s ahead.”

A Grand Finale Filled With Drama and Celebration

The grand finale celebrated the journey of 50 distinct personalities who transformed into fierce players within the game. From high-energy performances to nostalgic highlights of defining moments inside the Mahal, the evening captured the essence of the show—unpredictable, dramatic and larger than life.