Lock Upp Season 2 is grabbing headlines for its unfiltered, unabashed and raw conversations between inmates. Be it Sufi opening up about being gay, contestants getting emotional and sensitive, or Akanksha making bold gestures, the show isn't for family viewing and is strictly A-rated.
Over the last few days on the Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh-hosted show, inmates Sufi Motiwala, Shreya and Harshad Chopda have been talking about their sexuality and the fears surrounding it.
Harshad Chopda admits he feared gay men
Television star Harshad Chopda, in a heart-to-heart conversation with Dheeraj Dhoopar, opened up about how fear and a lack of understanding once shaped his perception of the LGBTQ+ community.
He revealed that he had recently apologised to a gay man years after running away from him out of fear, stating that he just didn't know how to deal with gay men.
During a conversation on Lock Upp Season 2, Harshad recalled an incident from the early days of his career after fellow contestant Dheeraj Dhoopar shared his own perspective on the LGBTQ+ community.
Sharing his experience, Harshad said, "Maine ek ramp walk kiya hai zindagi mein. Uske bhi paise nahi mile kyunki paise lene ghar jana hai." (I had once walked the ramp, but I never collected the money because I would have had to go to the person's house.)
He then admitted that he had once panicked after meeting a gay man.
"Pehle na main bhaag jaata tha seedha. Samajh nahi aata tha. Uss insaan ko main kuch din pehle mila tha. Darr bahut lagta tha, uss time pe bhaag gaya tha bahana bana ke ki shoot hai. Usko pata tha ki shoot cancel hai phir bhi main bhaag gaya tha," he said.
Harshad added that when he met the same person again years later, he apologised for his behaviour.
"When I met him now, I went to him and told him, 'Sorry, I did not know how to deal with the situation'. I am not a confrontational person. Phattu (timid) insaan hoon. Maybe it takes me longer, but mujhe darr lagta tha," the actor shared.
Actor Dheeraj Dhoopar also spoke warmly about his interactions with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
"I am so comfortable around gays. Lagta hi nahi hai. Personally, mera yeh opinion hai ki they are better human beings. They are more sensitive towards everything. They are wonderful," Dheeraj said.
The conversation took place during the latest episode, which explored the subject of sexuality, identity and societal acceptance.
During the breakfast task, contestants were asked whether sexuality defines a person's identity, forms a part of it, or is shaped largely by society's perception.
Fashion influencer Sufi Motiwala shared his personal journey during the discussion, revealing that his parents still believe there is something wrong with him because of his sexuality.
Amid the discussion, Sufi also said that there are many people he knows who are "more gay" than he is.
Ram Kapoor kisses Varun Yadav; clip goes viral
While the discussion was underway, Ram Kapoor suddenly got close to inmate Varun 'Laila' Yadav and kissed him.
Videos of the incident have now gone viral on social media, leaving many netizens upset.
In the clip, Ram Kapoor is seen standing next to Varun with his arms around him. In playful banter, Kapoor first plants multiple kisses on Varun's cheeks before going in for another much longer kiss, which appeared unexpected. The incident left fellow contestants Yogesh Rawat, Sunita Ahuja and Shivangi Joshi laughing.
Right after the kiss, Varun 'Laila' Yadav referred to Kapoor's recent controversial remarks on cheating and said sarcastically, "Dekha ye banda 40 saal ke baad bhi cheat karta hai, kiss karta hai."
"Ab bol de tu duniya ko tu homophobic nahi," Akanksha Chamola told Varun after Sufi Motiwala's allegations.
Earlier, Sufi had confronted Varun after he commented on his "softness".
Sufi said, "2-3 jokes are fine. Har joke mein meri softness and femininity pe bolna zaruri nahi hai."
After Varun clarified his stance, Sufi maintained, "You are saying this to cover up."
"It affects you. The subliminal homophobia constantly ki dekho ye aise chalta hai... haath upar karke dekho ye aise baithta hai. It's fucking enough after one point."
Varun apologised, saying sorry. However, Sufi added, "Har cheez mein sorry bolke it's not fair. Kal bhi tumne teen logon ke saamne bola tha ye humare washroom mein jata hai. What do you mean by such things? Ye sab galat hai bro."
Fans slam Ram Kapoor
Meanwhile, Ram Kapoor and Varun's kiss has left many angry on the internet.
Reacting to the homophobia allegations following the kiss between Ram Kapoor and Varun Yadav, one user wrote on X, "Funny how there's zero outrage for Ram Kapoor or Laila, who actually started the conversation and mocked Sufi. But the man who simply asked a question is getting dragged. Half the conversation wasn't even Agenda > context, apparently. #LockUpp2."
Another wrote, "Sufi: 'He (Laila) is more gay than I am.'
On Reddit, the kissing clip sparked mixed reactions. One user wrote, "That's just assault. Disgusting."
Another commented, "This is literally assault. WTH? Why are people laughing over this?"
A different user said, "This show is becoming disgusting. The way Varun asked Sufi Motiwala if he is going to use the men's bathroom because he's gay, and people just laughed and made homophobic remarks, is absolutely not okay. Also, Harshad Chopda asking if him being scared of gay people is homophobia?"
Kangana Ranaut to enter Lock Upp 2
Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut is set to return to Lock Upp 2. According to reports, the former host will enter the show in the upcoming episodes and is expected to bash Ram Kapoor over his remarks and his on-screen gestures.
Where to watch
Lock Upp Season 2 is currently streaming on Netflix.
