Ektaa Kapoor reveals why Kangana Ranaut was replaced as host of Lock Upp Season 2

Reality show Lock Upp is set to return with its second season, titled Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, but the new edition comes with a major change. Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, who hosted the first season, is no longer part of the show. This time, filmmaker Farah Khan and actor Riteish Deshmukh will take over hosting responsibilities.

Producer Ektaa Kapoor has now revealed the reason behind Kangana’s exit from the popular reality show.

Ektaa Kapoor explains Kangana Ranaut’s absence

Ektaa Kapoor addressed the change during the launch event of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa in Mumbai, where she joined Riteish Deshmukh, Farah Khan and Monika Shergill, Vice President – Content, Netflix India.

Speaking about why Kangana was not brought back as the host, Ektaa explained that the entire format and vision of the show had changed.

“The entire format of the show, the whole vision changed and the demographic, the kind of jailer-judge format we had. Nothing of the original show has been kept. Neither the jailer nor the host, so keeping anything of the old would not bring the fresh presentation of the branding. So I am sure Kangana would have understood,” she said.

Lock Upp moves to Netflix with a new vision

Ektaa Kapoor also spoke about bringing the reality show to Netflix and said the new season will offer a bigger experience for audiences.

“Over the years, I have created many television shows, but Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa occupies a space of its own,” she said.

She added that the show removes the usual comforts and places contestants in an environment where every decision, relationship and secret can have consequences.

According to Ektaa, the Netflix platform allows the makers to expand the scale of the show and reimagine the format for a wider audience.

What to expect from Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa

The upcoming season will feature 14 popular personalities as inmates inside a controlled, high-pressure jail environment.

Separated from the outside world and stripped of everyday comforts, contestants will face challenging tasks, shifting alliances, punishments and eliminations. Over six weeks, they will compete through daily challenges, status battles and chargesheets designed to test their strategy, emotions and survival instincts.

The makers describe the show as a mix of entertainment, drama and social experimentation, where contestants’ choices can change the game at any moment.

Release details

Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is co-produced by Balaji Telefilms Ltd and Colosceum, with Malaya Pradhan serving as Executive Producer.

The show originally premiered in 2022 on ALTBalaji and MX Player. The second season will stream on Netflix from June 27 and will air every Saturday to Wednesday at 8 PM.