Cinema VinesActor Riteish Deshmukh, who is co‑hosting the Netflix reality series Lock Upp: Sach ya Sazaa alongside choreographer Farah Khan, shared his experience on the show in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times. The series, which has moved into its finale week after weeks of intense drama, fights and emotionally charged moments, saw Harshad Chopda crowned as the first finalist in the latest episode.
Deshmukh, who previously hosted Bigg Boss Marathi Seasons 5 and 6, explained that Lock Upp differs from other reality shows because the hosts interact with contestants on a daily basis rather than reviewing the week at the end. “We have a format that dictates how a show should be hosted, but we also bring our own personalities and sense of humour,” he said. “In Lock Upp, we are in the house every day, so we get a ringside view of the drama and need to understand where each contestant is coming from. It requires a lot of sensitivity to respond to their emotional challenges.”
Deshmukh described his role as a “jailer” who arrives each day to explain new tasks or reveal twists. While his playful banter with contestants like Varun Yadav has become a social media highlight, he also handled tense moments. When contestant Ram Kapoor wanted to quit after the first week, Deshmukh persuaded him to stay. He also confronted Yogesh Rawat, who claimed he was eliminated and then brought back to keep ratings high, telling him that the platform is bigger than any individual.
He added that the job is not just about “yelling at them as a judge.” “A lot of players think they are done and don’t want to do it again, so it is also about preparing them and motivating them,” Deshmukh said. “There are certain things that need to be told, and one must strictly adhere to them, but primarily one has to understand each contestant, because everyone is different.”
