The volatile atmosphere inside Netflix’s Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa has claimed its next set of casualties, as a newly released high-voltage promo has triggered massive online debate. The focus has abruptly shifted to television superstar Harshad Chopda, who faced severe social media backlash and trolling following a protective, aggressive outburst directed toward his longtime co-star and friend, Shivangi Joshi.
The Clash: What Triggered the Outburst?
The confrontation began within the prison walls after Shivangi Joshi confided in Harshad about a highly volatile, insulting remark allegedly made against her by co-contestant and digital creator Shreya Kalra.
Upon hearing the details, Harshad completely lost his composure. Disregarding Shivangi’s physical attempts to hold him back and diffuse the situation, an enraged Harshad ran across the compound to confront Shreya directly. The hyper-aggressive confrontation style immediately triggered a wave of pop-culture comparisons on social media.
Netizens React: The Kabir Singh Parallels
Within minutes of the promo going viral, viewers flooded X (formerly Twitter) with memes and sharp criticism, drawing undeniable parallels to Shahid Kapoor’s hot-headed character from the blockbuster film Kabir Singh. Netizens labeled Harshad a “Sasta Kabir Singh” (cheap imitation) while casting Shivangi in the submissive role of Preeti (played by Kiara Advani).
Top Viewer Reactions:
- “Why is #HarshadChopda acting like he’s still on a TV set? Bro, this is a reality show, not a drama where you’re Kabir Singh and #ShivangiJoshi is Preeti.”
- “Meet sasta Kabir Singh. Banda har kisi ko gyan dega (‘Bro, don’t react like this… respond rationally’). Meanwhile bro himself was running aggressively to question Shreya.”
- “#HarshadChopda ko ‘Kabir Singh’ banne ki zaroorat hi nehi hai. Woh Harshad Chopda hi kaafi hai.”
A History Beyond ‘Lock Upp’
The deep-rooted protective dynamic between Harshad and Shivangi stems from their highly successful collaborative history on Indian television, making them a pre-established alliance inside the reality show:
- The YRKKH Era: The duo first crossed paths on Star Plus’s flagship serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, where Harshad anchored the third generation as Dr. Abhimanyu Birla and Shivangi shot a special crossover sequence as her legendary character, Naira Goenka.
- Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 4: Their immense on-screen chemistry later led producers to cast them as the core leads of Sony TV’s massively successful romantic drama Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 4.
Having spent years supporting each other through grueling television shoot schedules, the duo has acted as a unified block inside the Lock Upp ecosystem—though critics now argue their daily-soap instincts are bleeding dangerously into unscripted reality television.