Harshad Chopda faces backlash; called 'manchild' for middle finger gesture

Netflix’s reality series Lock Upp season 2 has been delivering daily drama, and the latest episode’s promo has ignited a firestorm of online criticism. In the clip, contestant Harshad Chopda, who has been embroiled in a tense feud with fellow participant Shreya Kalra since the show’s first week, throws a middle‑finger gesture at Kalra after she refuses to follow the instructions of her gang leader, Shivangi Joshi. The act, captured on camera, quickly spread across Reddit, where users condemned the behaviour and labelled Chopda a “manchild.”

Comments on the platform ranged from calls for his eviction to personal attacks. One user wrote, “Manchild Harshad. Ekta should deduct 80% of both of them (Shivangi and Harshad) for overacting,” while another urged, “I hate this person. Please kick him out.” Several posts urged the show’s producers to remove him, citing his “overacting” and aggressive conduct toward Kalra. A separate comment noted, “What’s wrong with this guy? He keeps saying he’s oversensitive and cries over the smallest things, but the other day he aggressively charged towards Shreya. Now he’s showing her the middle finger. He needs to seek therapy.”

Chopda’s conflict with Kalra has deepened over the course of the series. Early on, he accused her of manipulation, even though she had only offered a gesture of friendship. The tension escalated when Kalra’s gang leader, Shivangi, cried after a task loss, prompting Chopda to almost charge at Kalra again. Fans and critics alike have described his actions as “overacting,” and the latest incident has intensified scrutiny of his conduct.

Hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan, Lock Upp places celebrities in a jail‑themed house where they must complete tasks and confront allegations. The recent episode introduced a Bigg Boss‑style twist, forcing contestants to cook their own meals after losing a task and requiring permission to use the washroom. The show will continue for three more weeks, with new episodes streaming on Netflix from Saturday to Thursday at 8 p.m.