Cinema VinesRiteish Deshmukh, co‑host of Netflix’s reality series Lock Upp: Sach ya Sazaa, has praised the contestants of the second season for their bravery in sharing deeply personal stories, including childhood molestation. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Deshmukh highlighted how the show’s format—requiring participants to reveal three secrets—has forced them to confront painful memories in front of a national audience.
During the past weeks, the house has seen intense drama, confrontations and emotional breakdowns. Contestants such as Shreya Kalra, Ram Kapoor, Harshad Chopda and Shivangi Joshi opened up about being molested at a young age, a theme that has dominated the show’s narrative. The revelations came during a twist that allowed contestants to sabotage each other’s secrets, forcing some to relinquish a lifeline and expose a hidden truth.
Deshmukh noted that speaking out in such a public forum is far more difficult than confiding in a friend or family member. He said, “It is not easy to come out. This is not the same as saying it to one's friend, wife, parents… but to say that out loud in the open and embrace whatever happened to them is not easy.” He added that the contestants’ willingness to share “gives immense strength to a lot of others” and encourages viewers to speak out.
The co‑host emphasized that the shame belongs to the perpetrator, not the victim, and urged society to give support to survivors. “We need to really give that strength and embrace the fact,” Deshmukh said, calling for public shaming of the offenders.
As the finale approaches, Deshmukh made it clear that he has no favorites and cannot predict a winner. He praised the resilience of players like Shreya, Shivangi, Harshad, Ram, Varun, Yogesh, Akanksha Choudhary and Shilpa Shinde, describing each as a strong performer in their own right. The show’s final week will decide which contestant will be crowned champion, but Deshmukh’s focus remains on the emotional journey the housemates have undertaken.
