Cinema VinesDheeraj Dhoopar, a familiar face on Indian television, has publicly addressed criticism from actress Kangana Ranaut after his eviction from the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. The incident unfolded during the first week of the show when Ranaut, who entered as “Janta ki Awaaz,” confronted Dhoopar on camera, questioning his self‑proclaimed title as the “Shah Rukh Khan of Television.” She accused him of lacking the “main character energy” and of being sidelined in the competition.
In response, Dhoopar clarified that he never bestowed the Shah Rukh Khan label upon himself; it was a nickname given by his fans. He explained that “main character energy” is something that people feel instinctively when they walk into a room, rather than a trait that can be explicitly demonstrated. Dhoopar also reflected on the hypothetical scenario of SRK participating in the show, suggesting that the legendary actor would not have engaged in confrontations with other contestants.
The controversy came after Yogesh Rawat challenged Dhoopar to a task, which he failed, leading to his eviction after four weeks on the show. Dhoopar’s exit was confirmed in the latest episode, and the show’s host, Farah Khan, along with co‑host Riteish Deshmukh, continued to guide the remaining contestants.
Other prominent personalities on Lock Upp include Ram Kapoor, Shreya Kalra, Shilpa Shinde, Shivangi Joshi, and Akanksha Choudhary. The series streams on Netflix from Saturday to Thursday and is slated to finish in two weeks, with the winner receiving ₹1 crore in prize money.
Senior Content Producer Santanu Das of the Hindustan Times covered the episode, noting the dynamic interactions among the cast and the evolving strategies that shape the competition. The show’s blend of celebrity drama and strategic gameplay continues to captivate audiences across the country.
