Daisy Shah defends playing both sides on Alliance: It worked in my favour
Actor Daisy Shah revealed that maintaining ties with both camps on the reality show Alliance was a deliberate move to stay safe, reflecting on how the experience transformed her game strategy.
Actor Daisy Shah may have been one of the strongest performers on Alliance, but unlike several contestants who often found themselves at the centre of confrontations, she largely stayed away from the chaos. While she consistently performed well on the show, she never quite found herself in the spotlight.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Daisy, however, said she never looked at the game through that lens and was never chasing attention or validation.
Sharing the reason behind her approach, Daisy revealed she has always believed in helping others rather than pushing herself ahead. The Jai Ho actor said, "A lot of people in my life have pushed me forward. So, automatically my mindset has become that if someone has pushed me forward, then it is my duty to push someone else forward."
Throughout the season, many viewers felt Daisy’s calm and accommodating nature worked against her. Asked whether her kindness was perceived as a weakness, the actor admitted it could have been but insisted she would never change that part of herself. "It’s very difficult to be kind in a show like this. If there is one person who chooses to be kind, then that is their biggest strength," she said.
Daisy also mentioned that she never felt the need to announce her contributions to her alliance. "I know what contribution I have made and what part I have played. Rather than proving it to the world and telling people that I did this or I did that, I would rather let my actions do the talking," she added.
Looking back at her journey, Daisy said there was only one thing she wished she had done differently. "Maybe I would have been a little more vocal about my point of view. Other than that, I don’t think I would like to change anything," she said with a smile.
One of the biggest talking points around Daisy’s game was her partnership with her OG ally, Zaid Darbar. Several contestants and viewers questioned whether the two truly stood by each other during crucial moments. However, Daisy dismissed those assumptions and said she never doubted him.
"I don’t regret going on the show with Zaid. According to people’s point of view, we were not there for each other, and Zaid was majorly not there for me. But I knew that he always had my back," she said.
In one of the final episodes, Daisy was also accused of trying to maintain equations with both camps instead of committing to one alliance. Calling it a calculated move rather than indecisiveness, she admitted that survival in the game came first.
The actor added, "Wherever I saw my advantage, it was very important for me to keep myself safe at that time. If I had to play with a neutral balance on both sides, then I applied that strategy. Fortunately, it worked in my favour."
Speaking about the contestants she genuinely trusted, Daisy revealed that she had initially formed an alliance with Ruhee Dosani, Aly Goni and Agu, but the group eventually fell apart as equations changed and the competition intensified.
The actor also shared that Alliance changed her perspective in many ways. While she believes she has always been good at reading people, the reality show taught her that sometimes looking out for yourself is equally important.
“It has definitely made me a stronger and wiser person. I used to know how to judge people and I also knew that I was too good for the people who were there on the show. But that’s my nature. I have also learnt that it’s okay to get selfish at times, especially in shows like this,” she said.
As for the winner, Daisy chose not to back a specific contestant emotionally, saying she would love to see a woman win the inaugural season. “I really feel a girl should win this. I don’t want to take a particular name because everyone has played a very good game. As far as I feel, Mini Mathur might take the title,” the actor concluded.
Actor Mini Mathur has emerged as the winner of Alliance Season 1, defeating Aly Goni and Ruhee Dosani in the grand finale to lift the trophy and take home the Rs 50 lakh cash prize.
Hosted by actor Kunal Kemmu, Alliance concluded its debut season on August 6, 2026.
Actor Daisy Shah may have been one of the strongest performers on Alliance, but unlike several contestants who often found themselves at the centre of confrontations, she largely stayed away from the chaos. While she consistently performed well on the show, she never quite found herself in the spotlight.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Daisy, however, said she never looked at the game through that lens and was never chasing attention or validation.
Sharing the reason behind her approach, Daisy revealed she has always believed in helping others rather than pushing herself ahead. The Jai Ho actor said, "A lot of people in my life have pushed me forward. So, automatically my mindset has become that if someone has pushed me forward, then it is my duty to push someone else forward."
Throughout the season, many viewers felt Daisy’s calm and accommodating nature worked against her. Asked whether her kindness was perceived as a weakness, the actor admitted it could have been but insisted she would never change that part of herself. "It’s very difficult to be kind in a show like this. If there is one person who chooses to be kind, then that is their biggest strength," she said.
Daisy also mentioned that she never felt the need to announce her contributions to her alliance. "I know what contribution I have made and what part I have played. Rather than proving it to the world and telling people that I did this or I did that, I would rather let my actions do the talking," she added.
Looking back at her journey, Daisy said there was only one thing she wished she had done differently. "Maybe I would have been a little more vocal about my point of view. Other than that, I don’t think I would like to change anything," she said with a smile.
One of the biggest talking points around Daisy’s game was her partnership with her OG ally, Zaid Darbar. Several contestants and viewers questioned whether the two truly stood by each other during crucial moments. However, Daisy dismissed those assumptions and said she never doubted him.
"I don’t regret going on the show with Zaid. According to people’s point of view, we were not there for each other, and Zaid was majorly not there for me. But I knew that he always had my back," she said.
In one of the final episodes, Daisy was also accused of trying to maintain equations with both camps instead of committing to one alliance. Calling it a calculated move rather than indecisiveness, she admitted that survival in the game came first.
The actor added, "Wherever I saw my advantage, it was very important for me to keep myself safe at that time. If I had to play with a neutral balance on both sides, then I applied that strategy. Fortunately, it worked in my favour."
Speaking about the contestants she genuinely trusted, Daisy revealed that she had initially formed an alliance with Ruhee Dosani, Aly Goni and Agu, but the group eventually fell apart as equations changed and the competition intensified.
The actor also shared that Alliance changed her perspective in many ways. While she believes she has always been good at reading people, the reality show taught her that sometimes looking out for yourself is equally important.
“It has definitely made me a stronger and wiser person. I used to know how to judge people and I also knew that I was too good for the people who were there on the show. But that’s my nature. I have also learnt that it’s okay to get selfish at times, especially in shows like this,” she said.
As for the winner, Daisy chose not to back a specific contestant emotionally, saying she would love to see a woman win the inaugural season. “I really feel a girl should win this. I don’t want to take a particular name because everyone has played a very good game. As far as I feel, Mini Mathur might take the title,” the actor concluded.
Actor Mini Mathur has emerged as the winner of Alliance Season 1, defeating Aly Goni and Ruhee Dosani in the grand finale to lift the trophy and take home the Rs 50 lakh cash prize.
Hosted by actor Kunal Kemmu, Alliance concluded its debut season on August 6, 2026.
Actor Daisy Shah may have been one of the strongest performers on Alliance, but unlike several contestants who often found themselves at the centre of confrontations, she largely stayed away from the chaos. While she consistently performed well on the show, she never quite found herself in the spotlight.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Daisy, however, said she never looked at the game through that lens and was never chasing attention or validation.
Sharing the reason behind her approach, Daisy revealed she has always believed in helping others rather than pushing herself ahead. The Jai Ho actor said, "A lot of people in my life have pushed me forward. So, automatically my mindset has become that if someone has pushed me forward, then it is my duty to push someone else forward."
Throughout the season, many viewers felt Daisy’s calm and accommodating nature worked against her. Asked whether her kindness was perceived as a weakness, the actor admitted it could have been but insisted she would never change that part of herself. "It’s very difficult to be kind in a show like this. If there is one person who chooses to be kind, then that is their biggest strength," she said.
Daisy also mentioned that she never felt the need to announce her contributions to her alliance. "I know what contribution I have made and what part I have played. Rather than proving it to the world and telling people that I did this or I did that, I would rather let my actions do the talking," she added.
Looking back at her journey, Daisy said there was only one thing she wished she had done differently. "Maybe I would have been a little more vocal about my point of view. Other than that, I don’t think I would like to change anything," she said with a smile.
One of the biggest talking points around Daisy’s game was her partnership with her OG ally, Zaid Darbar. Several contestants and viewers questioned whether the two truly stood by each other during crucial moments. However, Daisy dismissed those assumptions and said she never doubted him.
"I don’t regret going on the show with Zaid. According to people’s point of view, we were not there for each other, and Zaid was majorly not there for me. But I knew that he always had my back," she said.
In one of the final episodes, Daisy was also accused of trying to maintain equations with both camps instead of committing to one alliance. Calling it a calculated move rather than indecisiveness, she admitted that survival in the game came first.
The actor added, "Wherever I saw my advantage, it was very important for me to keep myself safe at that time. If I had to play with a neutral balance on both sides, then I applied that strategy. Fortunately, it worked in my favour."
Speaking about the contestants she genuinely trusted, Daisy revealed that she had initially formed an alliance with Ruhee Dosani, Aly Goni and Agu, but the group eventually fell apart as equations changed and the competition intensified.
The actor also shared that Alliance changed her perspective in many ways. While she believes she has always been good at reading people, the reality show taught her that sometimes looking out for yourself is equally important.
“It has definitely made me a stronger and wiser person. I used to know how to judge people and I also knew that I was too good for the people who were there on the show. But that’s my nature. I have also learnt that it’s okay to get selfish at times, especially in shows like this,” she said.
As for the winner, Daisy chose not to back a specific contestant emotionally, saying she would love to see a woman win the inaugural season. “I really feel a girl should win this. I don’t want to take a particular name because everyone has played a very good game. As far as I feel, Mini Mathur might take the title,” the actor concluded.
Actor Mini Mathur has emerged as the winner of Alliance Season 1, defeating Aly Goni and Ruhee Dosani in the grand finale to lift the trophy and take home the Rs 50 lakh cash prize.
Hosted by actor Kunal Kemmu, Alliance concluded its debut season on August 6, 2026.
