Exclusive - 'The 50' Winner Shiv Thakare opens up about his journey, Prince sacrificing his Ticket To Finale for him and his team distracting Faisu during finale task

Reality star Shiv Thakare, who recently emerged as the winner of ‘The 50’, beating his opponents in the finale, joined Times of India TV for an exclusive chat. During the interview, he spoke about his journey and Prince Narula’s unexpected sacrifice. He revealed that Prince had decided even before joining 'The 50,' that he would not play the finale. He also opened up about his bond with Prince and his team distracting Faisu while Faisu performed the finale task. (Photo: Instagram)

I feel my journey was like a movie. I don’t think it’s exciting if everything goes in just one flow. There should be wins, there should be losses, and there should be love too. That’s what made my journey feel like a complete film. (Photo: Instagram)

I don’t think they said anything wrong because they were our opponents. They wouldn’t praise our friendship. When they were together, sharing things and playing as a team, they called it friendship, but when we did the same, they called us 'chela,' playing under Prince. But what we had was real brotherhood. When Siwet was about to be eliminated, Prince and the others decided not to let it happen. That decision itself showed our bond. (Photo: Instagram)

It wasn’t about being a mentor or follower, but about standing by each other. Our alliance was different, and moments like the ticket to finale also showed that brotherhood. If it was just a game for votes, no one would have taken such a big decision. In the end, people speak according to their role. They were the opposition, so they did their job, and we did ours. It’s simple, you win and move ahead, you lose and go home. But when someone gives you something like the Ticket to Finale, even if it’s your brother or someone from your alliance, it still affects you. At that moment, I just told myself to let it be and gave my best. But the whole day, I was under a lot of stress. It felt like a bad day, especially because I did not earn the Ticket To finale on my own, Prince bhai gave it to me. (Photo: Instagram)

Prince bhai cares about me, and I care about him, but it’s not always easy to show that in the game. But his gesture for him said it all. I didn’t like it, but some situations leave you with no choice. Later, when I was sitting with Faisu, he said something that made me realize he understood what I was going through. In that moment, I felt I had only two options: give up, feel nervous and step back or go out and perform. The next day, I decided to come back stronger and play with full power. (Photo: Instagram)

When I chose to stay strong, I started feeling better once my performance went well. Things began to fall into place, my luck, my hard work, everything worked together. After that, I won the trophy. Seeing everyone, my alliance, the people from Roadies—cheering for me made me feel better too. But if anyone were in my place as a player, they wouldn’t like that situation. It’s not easy or enjoyable. I reached here on my own efforts. No one brought me here. At that moment, I had mixed feelings, but Prince bhai showed his big-hearted nature and supported me. In the end, everything worked out fine. (Photo: Instagram)

Prince and I have always shared a strong sense of brotherhood. He is someone who performs well and can win on his own, so that was never in doubt. For him, it was never just about winning or losing—he had already made up his mind. Even before we entered the show, he had decided that he wouldn’t go all the way to the finale. I thought we would at least reach the middle stages. Just like some contestants decide their own journey, he had also planned his path. (Photo: Instagram)

Before the performance, Faisu and I were sitting in the van after two contestants had already left. Both of us were nervous since it was the finale. We were quietly sitting, praying, and trying to calm ourselves. We listened to each other and even discussed the puzzle we had to perform. When the time came, we were still helping and supporting each other in small ways. That’s how we are—whenever we do a show, we stand by each other. In the end, it was just my day to win. (Photo: Instagram)

I feel that it shouldn’t have happened, but my alliance chose that method because they thought it was right. It was their strategy. A lot had already happened before this, and everyone was playing the game in their own way. Many things were done in the name of the game, and not all of them were right. There were several incidents during The 50. Even when Krishna’s time Archana was distracting her as well. If you look back, there’s a lot to it, but I don’t want to get into those details. The show is over for me and I want to move ahead in life. (Photo: Instagram)