Actor Dheeraj Dhoopar is all set to take on a new challenge as he joins the reality show Lock Upp, hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan. The highly anticipated series premieres on Netflix on June 27, 2026, and is produced by the streaming platform in association with Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms. Ahead of the premiere,Dheeraj spoke about stepping out of his comfort zone, his strategy for the game, and his determination to lift the trophy.
On his excitement about joining Lock Upp
“I’m genuinely excited about exploring a completely different format. At the same time, there’s a bit of nervousness because this is uncharted territory for me. Daily soaps have always been my comfort zone—they feel like home—but participating in a reality show is a new experience altogether. I believe this journey will help me discover aspects of myself that I haven’t seen before, and the audience will get to witness that alongside me. I’m really looking forward to it.”
On initially turning down the offer
“My first response was actually a firm no. I had declined the offer in the beginning. But eventually, things fell into place, and here I am, ready to embrace this new journey.”
On the advice he received from his wife, Vinny
“For this show specifically, Vinny told me not to hold myself back. She knows I’m generally a gentleman and someone who rarely loses patience. But she also reminded me that there will be situations where people might push my limits, and I’ll have to stand up for myself. She said I shouldn’t worry about appearing rude if the situation genuinely demands it. Respect is important to me, and I’ll always value that, but when it’s necessary to take a stand, I won’t hesitate.”
On his strategy inside the house
“My only plan is to stay authentic and let things unfold naturally. Audiences today are very smart—they can instantly tell when someone is pretending. There’s really no point in creating a fake image. Since this is my first reality show, I don’t have a fixed strategy. I simply want to be myself and deal with situations as they come.”
On what he hopes to achieve from the show
“I hope viewers connect with the real me beyond the characters I’ve portrayed over the years. At the same time, I’m excited to discover new sides of myself through this experience. But above everything else, my biggest goal is to win the trophy. That’s the reason I’m entering Lock Upp, and winning remains my number one priority.”
“I want to give my best in every task and challenge the show throws at me. If I perform well and stay true to myself, I believe a deeper connection with the audience will happen naturally. The self-discovery and everything else will simply be part of that journey.”
On the toughest challenge inside Lock Upp
“The most difficult part for me will definitely be staying away from my family—especially my wife and my son. That will be emotionally challenging. At the same time, I’m excited to interact with my fellow contestants in a completely different environment, build new friendships, and experience something I’ve never done before.”
On the one message he’d want from his wife
“If Vinny could send me just one message inside the house, the first thing I’d want to know is whether she’s doing well, how my son is, and how my parents are. Just knowing they’re happy and fine would motivate me to keep pushing harder. And if I could ask her one more thing, it would be whether she feels I’m doing well and if she’s proud of me.”
