Exclusive | Dheeraj Dhoopar takes a dig at Harshad-Shivangi bond: ‘My contract should’ve allowed Vinny inside’
27 July,2026 04:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti Bagla
After his Lock Upp exit, Dheeraj Dhoopar denied getting any special privileges despite the chit controversy involving his family`s visit. He also said Harshad Chopda and Shivangi Sharma`s bond gave them a double advantage in the game
Dheeraj Dhoopar (Pic/Special Arrangements)
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Netflix’s Lock Upp witnessed a shocking double eviction as Dheeraj Dhoopar and Sufi Motiwala exited the show. In an exclusive chat with Mid-day, Dheeraj opened up about his unexpected eviction, Harshad Chopda and Yogesh Rawat’s re-entry, allegations of receiving special privileges, and the controversy surrounding his wife Vinny Arora and son Zayn’s visit to the jail despite the chit incident.
Dheeraj Dhoopar on his eviction
The latest episode of Lock Upp saw a surprise twist as evicted contestants Harshad Chopda and Yogesh Rawat were given a chance to re-enter the show, leading to Dheeraj Dhoopar’s elimination.
Reacting to the twist, Dheeraj said, “It was completely unexpected. We spend the entire week trying to stay in the green zone and build our credibility. But Yogesh and Harshad had an advantage. They had watched the episodes, had a fresh perspective, and also had their partners supporting them. That worked in their favour.”
Despite the outcome,Dheeraj said he has no regrets about his journey. “I entered the show to be my real self because it was about owning your truth. I tried to give every kind of content possible, but at the end of the day, it’s the makers’ decision. If they wanted to bring someone back, they did it in an unexpected way. It’s a game, and I had my share of fun.”
Dheeraj on calling out Ram Kapoor
During one of the tasks on Lock Upp, Dheeraj Dhoopar lost his cool and called out Ram Kapoor, accusing him of speaking more than listening. The confrontation left the senior actor visibly upset.
Reflecting on the incident, Dheeraj stood by his reaction and said, “Yes, he is not a good listener at all. He doesn’t listen to you or let you express your opinion. That’s where I had a bit of a problem with him, and I called him out on it. After that, he started giving me the space to share my thoughts and opinions.”
Dheeraj on the chit controversy
During Lock Upp, Dheeraj Dhoopar’s wife, Vinny Arora, and son, Zayn, visited him inside the jail. The emotional family moment was shown to viewers only after jailer Riteish Deshmukh alleged that a chit had been brought inside during the visit.
The episode sparked debate online, with many viewers questioning whether Dheeraj had received special treatment.
Responding to the allegations, Dheeraj said, “People have been saying that Vinny and my son came to meet me, so I had extra privileges. But that’s not true. The real advantage was with Harshad, Yogesh and Akanksha. When you’re terminated, you’re kept in a secret room where you can watch everything happening in the house on a screen. That’s an actual advantage. People should talk about those advantages, not about family members visiting for emotional support. That isn’t a privilege. Everyone knew I was unwell when I entered the show. There was nothing more to it. I didn’t get any advantage or special privilege.”
On Harshad supporting Shivangi
Harshad Chopda and Shivangi Joshi’s growing bond inside the Lock Upp house has sparked speculation among viewers, with many wondering if there is more than friendship between the two. During the conversation, Dheeraj was asked whether Harshad’s support gave Shivangi an edge in the game.
Responding to the question, Dheeraj said, “If someone is playing the game for you, then you definitely have a double advantage. You’re playing for yourself, and someone else is also playing for you.”
Taking a light-hearted dig, he added, “I even joked that maybe it should have been written in my contract that I could bring Vinny inside. I think I missed that part.”
Calling Harshad and Shivangi’s equation an advantage, Dheeraj concluded, “Why not? I would definitely call it a double advantage.”
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Lock UppnetflixWeb SeriesWeb Series NewsEntertainment News
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