Mumbai, July 30 — Popular television actor Arjun Bijlani on Thursday offered Harshad Chopda a direct assessment of his strategy on Lock Upp 2, stating that the contestant’s bond with co-inmate Shivangi Joshi appeared to go beyond friendship and “seems like a love angle” from Chopda’s side.

Bijlani, who entered the show as a visitor for Chopda, questioned the limited support the actor had received during a critical moment. “Tell me something, only two people were trying to save you. This is the relationship you have built? You’re so sweet…” he remarked.

He advised Chopda against operating in anyone’s shadow, with a clear reference to Joshi. “So somewhere you should introspect that maybe I did not build that relationship with anyone or maybe you were playing in someone else’s shadow. Friendship is one thing, but your game is another. If something happens and you both come face to face, will you step back and let her win?” Bijlani asked.

He then stated his reading of the relationship more explicitly. “Friendship with Shivangi is just a matter of one week; after that, outside… Even if it’s friendship, it seems like a love angle from your end. Try to understand. No matter how much clarity you give… You don’t cry over small things if it’s just friendship. You need to up your game,” he added.

Lock Upp 2 is hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, with the finale scheduled for the coming weekend. Current contestants include Pamala Serena, Akanksha Chamola, Shilpa Shinde, Akanksha Chaudhary, Ram Kapoor, Yogesh Rawat, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopda and Varun Yadav, among others.

The first season of Lock Upp, hosted by Kangana Ranaut in 2022 with Karan Kundrra as Jailor, was won by Munawar Faruqui. The current edition features 14 inmates, two jailers and a single lock-up over six weeks. Inmates must complete tasks to earn in-game currency needed for basic necessities such as food, supplies and privileges.

Bijlani’s intervention highlighted the tension between personal alliances and competitive strategy that often defines reality formats. By framing Chopda’s closeness with Joshi as potentially affecting his independent game, the visitor underscored the need for clearer boundaries and stronger individual positioning as the show approaches its final stages.