06 August,2026 12:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti Bagla
Mini Mathur wins Alliance (Pic/Special Arrangements)
Alliance season 1, hosted by Kunal Kemmu, has finally got its winner, and it's none other than Mini Mathur. The former host and actress was known for her smart gameplay and cordial relationships in the house. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Mini opens up about Nikhil Chinapa, winning the show, and Sohail Khan's game.
After lifting the trophy, Mini was elated as netizens hailed her as a deserving winner. She further recalled why she participated in the show and shared, "I had been refusing quite a few reality shows because I felt I didn't fit the stereotype. I thought, 'Oh my God, it's very noisy.' But when The Alliance was pitched to me, it was about 16 allies playing a game in an arena. Everyone who knows me knows I'm very competitive, so I felt this was something I could do. I was at a point in my life where I was playing it very safe and needed a shake up. I didn't think I'd survive it. I thought I'd be out in a week. But I did it, and I'm happy about it."
After emerging as the winner of The Alliance, Mini Mathur reflected on navigating a game that was largely dominated by strong male contestants. She remarked, "I was very clear that I didn't want to play safe or under anybody's shadow. I didn't want the security of a power structure around me because I believed I was enough. I knew I could handle the brain teasers, and I was physically fit enough to take on the challenges too. I didn't want anyone to see me as a weak link. I chose to play the game according to my own moral compass, treating people the way I believed was right and responding to aggression on my own terms. I have to say, everybody in the house gave me love and respect."
During the show, Kashish claimed that Mini was playing under Nikhil Chinapa's influence. Responding to the allegation, Mini clarified, "I didn't pay any attention to any of this bullshit because if Nikhil was playing with my mind, then how would I have performed in the last two weeks? We watched each other's backs as allies, and I think we both benefited from each other's presence. But I was always playing on my own. This is also a very patriarchal thought that if she is playing so well, it must be somebody else's brain. I am glad that I proved them wrong, and the trophy is right here for that."
Mini also reacted to Kushal Tandon's aggressive persona and shared why she backed him when he broke down. She shared, "For Kushal, that is his game, that is his personality. He likes being fully front-footed, aggressive, as he calls himself. He enjoys that, and he gets into trouble because of it."
She admitted that Sohail entered the competition with an edge because of his larger-than-life persona and goodwill. "He is Salman Khan's brother. He is such a big achiever in his own life. And yes, he had a lot of goodwill that took him quite a long way. Even when he was under the weather and didn't play well, he did get carried along. But it was nice to have his energy in the house."
While Mini Mathur has been widely praised for her victory, she admitted that the win also brought a wave of online trolling. To note, Gauahar Khan once called her out for not supporting Zaid Darbar. Opening up about the criticism, she said, "I have never received such direct negativity before. But now I see comments calling me an 'old lady,' 'manipulative,' and saying I escaped nominations. As for those who think someone of my age and gender cannot beat big, brawny, popular men, I think the best answer is this win."
