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Ram Kapoor, Shivangi Joshi, Pamala Serena Join Netflixs Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa as Inmates
Mumbai – At a bustling press conference on Monday, the creators of the upcoming reality series Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa revealed that veteran actor Ram Kapoor, television star Shivangi Joshi and Desi Bling breakout Pamala Serena would be the first three contestants to enter the show. The series, conceived by Ekta Kapoor, will stream exclusively on Netflix from 27 June 2026 and will feature 14 celebrity inmates locked in a prison‑themed environment for six weeks.
The announcement was part of a larger unveiling that the program will be hosted by filmmaker‑choreographer Farah Khan and actor Riteish Deshmukh, who will serve as “jailers” overseeing the competition. The format, described by the creators as a “social experiment” that blends survival, strategy and revelations, requires contestants to complete tasks to earn in‑game currency for basic necessities and to gain privileges. The most valuable currency, the show says, is truth, as secrets can either strengthen alliances or expose vulnerabilities.
Ram Kapoor, known for his role in the long‑running drama Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, said he was excited to participate. “There were four universal signs for me to join the show. First, my very close and respected casting agent called me for this show. Secondly, Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh are the reason. Farah, Sajid, and me are childhood friends. Lastly, whenever I have worked with Ekta Kapoor, we have created magic,” Kapoor told reporters at the event. The actor’s decision to join the reality series follows a recent controversy that saw him removed from promotion for another project after making inappropriate remarks.
Ekta Kapoor, the creator of the original Lock Upp that premiered on ALTBalaji and MX Player in February 2022, emphasized that the new season would occupy a distinct space. “Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa occupies a space of its own. It strips away the filters and comforts, placing people in an environment where every decision, every relationship, and every secret has consequences,” Kapoor said. She added that bringing the show to Netflix would allow the format to be reimagined on a larger canvas and reach a global audience.
The press conference also featured Netflix India Vice President – Content Monika Shergill, who highlighted the partnership between Netflix and Balaji Telefilms. “We are excited to collaborate with Balaji Telefilms on this bold new reality format,” Shergill said. The series is co‑produced by Balaji Telefilms Ltd and Colosceum, with Malaya Pradhan serving as executive producer.
Shivangi Joshi, who rose to prominence with her role as Naira Singhania Goenka in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and Pamala Serena, known for her work in Desi Bling, were introduced as the second and third inmates. While the source does not provide further background on Serena, her inclusion signals the show’s intent to mix established television talent with newer personalities.
The format’s mechanics, as outlined in the press note, involve fourteen inmates, six weeks of competition, and two jailers. Contestants must earn in‑game currency to purchase food, supplies and privileges, turning survival into a strategic game. The show’s emphasis on truth means that revelations can shift alliances and alter the trajectory of the competition.
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on 27 June 2026. The series follows the original 2022 season, which concluded with Munawar Faruqui as the winner and Payal Rohatgi as runner‑up. The new season’s launch is part of Netflix’s broader strategy to expand its Indian content slate and to bring high‑profile reality formats to a global platform.
As the press conference closed, industry watchers will be keen to see how the show’s unique blend of reality competition and social experiment unfolds on a streaming platform. Viewers can expect a six‑week run that will test contestants’ resilience, alliances and willingness to reveal personal truths in a confined environment. The series will be available exclusively on Netflix, with no scheduled broadcast on traditional television.
The announcement was part of a larger unveiling that the program will be hosted by filmmaker‑choreographer Farah Khan and actor Riteish Deshmukh, who will serve as “jailers” overseeing the competition. The format, described by the creators as a “social experiment” that blends survival, strategy and revelations, requires contestants to complete tasks to earn in‑game currency for basic necessities and to gain privileges. The most valuable currency, the show says, is truth, as secrets can either strengthen alliances or expose vulnerabilities.
Ram Kapoor, known for his role in the long‑running drama Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, said he was excited to participate. “There were four universal signs for me to join the show. First, my very close and respected casting agent called me for this show. Secondly, Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh are the reason. Farah, Sajid, and me are childhood friends. Lastly, whenever I have worked with Ekta Kapoor, we have created magic,” Kapoor told reporters at the event. The actor’s decision to join the reality series follows a recent controversy that saw him removed from promotion for another project after making inappropriate remarks.
Ekta Kapoor, the creator of the original Lock Upp that premiered on ALTBalaji and MX Player in February 2022, emphasized that the new season would occupy a distinct space. “Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa occupies a space of its own. It strips away the filters and comforts, placing people in an environment where every decision, every relationship, and every secret has consequences,” Kapoor said. She added that bringing the show to Netflix would allow the format to be reimagined on a larger canvas and reach a global audience.
The press conference also featured Netflix India Vice President – Content Monika Shergill, who highlighted the partnership between Netflix and Balaji Telefilms. “We are excited to collaborate with Balaji Telefilms on this bold new reality format,” Shergill said. The series is co‑produced by Balaji Telefilms Ltd and Colosceum, with Malaya Pradhan serving as executive producer.
Shivangi Joshi, who rose to prominence with her role as Naira Singhania Goenka in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and Pamala Serena, known for her work in Desi Bling, were introduced as the second and third inmates. While the source does not provide further background on Serena, her inclusion signals the show’s intent to mix established television talent with newer personalities.
The format’s mechanics, as outlined in the press note, involve fourteen inmates, six weeks of competition, and two jailers. Contestants must earn in‑game currency to purchase food, supplies and privileges, turning survival into a strategic game. The show’s emphasis on truth means that revelations can shift alliances and alter the trajectory of the competition.
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on 27 June 2026. The series follows the original 2022 season, which concluded with Munawar Faruqui as the winner and Payal Rohatgi as runner‑up. The new season’s launch is part of Netflix’s broader strategy to expand its Indian content slate and to bring high‑profile reality formats to a global platform.
As the press conference closed, industry watchers will be keen to see how the show’s unique blend of reality competition and social experiment unfolds on a streaming platform. Viewers can expect a six‑week run that will test contestants’ resilience, alliances and willingness to reveal personal truths in a confined environment. The series will be available exclusively on Netflix, with no scheduled broadcast on traditional television.
