The first episode of Lock Upp Season 2 premiered on Netflix on June 27 with 15 contestants entering the reality show. Among them was television actor Harshad Chopda, who spoke about a deeply personal experience that changed his life. During a conversation with hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, Harshad explained why he has stayed away from the spotlight and remained a very private person for so many years.
Riteish Deshmukh pointed out that despite working in the television industry for more than 20 years, fans know very little about Harshad beyond his work. He said, “In a career spanning over 20 years, your fans hardly know 20 things about you.”
Responding to the question, Harshad said, “I know that my fans expect a lot out of me, but I thought it was only about my work. I don’t have much to share. I have tried 4 to 5 times to be active on social media, but that enthusiasm dies within 3 to 4 months. I am here on the show to expose my personality completely. I am ungrateful in terms of being seen, but I am going to work on it.”
The actor then became emotional as he shared the reason behind his reserved nature. Harshad revealed that in 2010, he lost both his girlfriend and his best friend after they betrayed his trust. Although he did not mention their names, he said the incident had a lasting impact on his life and changed the way he connected with people.
When something like this happens you are never the same… this was devastating to watch… chin up #HarshadChopra! Don't be hard on yourself.
— Random Rants (@Sree_Survives) June 27, 2026
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“My fans complained that no one knows anything about me, but I was not always like this. When I came into the industry, I was socially active. I lost my friend and my girlfriend at the same time in 2010. My girlfriend cheated on me with my best friend, and from then on, I have grown a little wary,” he said.
Harshad also revealed that he had never spoken publicly about the incident before. He admitted that the experience made him emotionally guarded and that he still struggles to let people into his life.
“Nobody knows about this. They all know that I am not around, I am not meeting people. It has been 16 years. Emotionally, I am very needy. I happen to depend on people quickly, so even if I lose my best friend, it would be a big deal for me. But losing both of them at the same time was what pushed me into my shell. Staying reclusive, I feel protected. I am scared of coming out of that zone now,” he said.
Harshad did not reveal the identities of the people involved, but his confession quickly became a topic of discussion on social media, with many Reddit users trying to guess who he was referring to.
Harshad Chopda is known for his performances in popular television shows such as Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, Tere Liye, Bepannah, and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. His role as Dr. Abhimanyu received praise from viewers and became one of the most talked about characters in recent years.
He was most recently seen opposite Shivangi Joshi in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. Shivangi is also taking part in Lock Upp Season 2, and both contestants are sharing the same cell. Their interactions are expected to be closely followed by viewers throughout the show.