The fifth season of Playground premiered on August 1, 2026. The gaming reality show returned with a three-mentor panel. Two-time champion Elvish Yadav was back to lead the KO Krakens, while Tejasswi Prakash made her debut as a mentor to the Raging Centaurs. Aarush Bhola took charge of the Power Phoenixes. The show will have its finale in six weeks. In an exclusive interview with Telly Talk India, Tejasswi spoke about her equation with Elvish and whether she views him as a threat.
Tejasswi Prakash calls Elvish Yadav a ‘friend’
told Telly Talk India that she doesn’t consider Elvish to be a threat as they share a good off-screen bond. “More than Elvish, main usko itna bada threat nahi maanti as a mentor jitna uske fans ko maanti hu. Elvish is a friend, not a threat,” she said.
Tejasswi further added that her team, Raging Centaurs, and Elvish’s team, KO Krakens, share a friendly relationship. Calling Yadav ‘Elly’, Prakash expressed her fondness for the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner.
Tejasswi Prakash on working with Elvish Yadav
Talking about working with Elvish immediately after wrapping Laughter Chefs season 3, Tejasswi said, “Mujhe toh laga tha bohot maza aayega. This is a completely new thing and I have never been a mentor on any show. I was excited about that. My priority was to select a show. Baaki ke mentors kaun honge voh scohne se pehle main apne baare mein sochungi. Then I got to know Elvish is going to be there this season also, so I was excited. Elvish is a friend and mujhe uske saath time spend karna accha lagta hai. Pura din hum set pe saath rehte hai. Hum lunch bhi saath hi karte hai.”
Tejasswi further said that irrespective of the shows they do together, their comfort with each other will never change. “Luckily for me and , iss show mein bhi humara comfort zone vaisa hi hai. We both are mature enough to understand that these are just shows that we are a part of. When it comes to us, humara shows se badhkar ek rishta hai. Voh hum samajhte hai ki hum joh hai voh hum hai hi, irrespective hum joh bhi show mein saath kaam kare,” she shared.
Elvish Yadav on Tejasswi Prakash
On the other hand, Elvish said Tejasswi doesn’t need to worry about his fans threatening her for her actions on the show. Yadav added that she is like his ‘sister-in-law’, and his fans understand their bond.