The suspense around celebrity reality spectacle The 50 has reached peak intensity even before its grand finale telecast. While the makers have officially locked the winner reveal for March 22, strong on-set buzz suggests that reality star Shiv Thakare has emerged as the champion. The show wrapped its final shoot in Mumbai on February 19, and what was meant to be a tightly guarded secret has already started circulating among fans and entertainment insiders.
According to sources present during the shoot, the finale narrowed down to four formidable contestants, Mr Faisu, Immortal Kaka, Krishna Shroff, and Shiv Thakare after Rajat Dalal exited in fifth place. The final challenge to decide the winner was an intense individual puzzle task in which each finalist had to solve the same problem under strict isolation, ensuring that no hints or timing comparisons could influence performance. It was here that Shiv reportedly delivered the fastest and most decisive finish, completing the puzzle in roughly ten minutes, significantly ahead of the others.
Krishna Shroff is said to have completed the challenge in about twenty-five minutes, while Mr Faisu needed a second attempt after an initial incorrect solution, eventually finishing around the fourteen-minute mark. Immortal Kaka, despite being the first to attempt, could not solve the puzzle within the required time. The clear timing advantage placed Shiv at the top based purely on task performance, effectively sealing his victory according to those familiar with the results recorded on set.
However, in a move that stunned contestants themselves, the makers introduced an unusual secrecy twist immediately after the task. Instead of announcing a single winner, they filmed victory moments with each of the four finalists holding the trophy. This deliberate misdirection ensured that no participant could confirm the outcome publicly, preserving suspense until the official broadcast. As a result, even those present during filming reportedly left uncertain about who had truly won, despite the performance standings suggesting a clear leader.
If confirmed on air, this win would mark another milestone in Shiv Thakare’s steady rise as one of India’s most consistent reality-show competitors. His journey across major formats from Roadies to victory in Bigg Boss Marathi, followed by a strong runner-up finish in Bigg Boss 16 and a dance stint in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, has built a reputation for resilience and tactical gameplay. The 50, with its survival-strategy format and high-pressure eliminations, appears to have played directly to those strengths.
The show itself drew massive attention from launch due to its unusually large celebrity lineup featuring prominent television faces and reality veterans such as Karan Patel, Urvashi Dholakia, Yuvika Choudhary, Ridhi Dogra, Prince Narula, Ridhima Pandit, Divya Agarwal, and Nikki Tamboli. Their presence amplified both competition and viewer curiosity, making the finale outcome one of the most anticipated reveals in recent reality television.
Also Read: Splitsvilla 16 Highlights: Episodes 19, 20 and 21
