Actor Sudhanshu Pandey indirectly slams Ssunita Ahuja's conduct on Lock Upp 2
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey questioned the open use of abusive language on reality shows, in remarks seen as an indirect swipe at Ssunita Ahuja on Lock Upp 2. He said normalising insults for entertainment sets a poor example and harms society.
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey has said reality shows on television and OTT platforms should not glorify abusive language, warning that such content sets a poor example and could have serious consequences for society. In remarks that appeared to be an indirect jibe at Ssunita Ahuja over Lock Upp Season 2, he questioned the kind of behaviour being normalised on screen and asked, “What kind of an example are we setting?”
Known for playing Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa and Baldev in Do Dil Ek Jaan, Sudhanshu shared his views during a live session on social media. He said he was concerned by the kind of content becoming popular on digital platforms and argued that several viral trends he sees online are “cringe-worthy” and point to a worrying shift in social values.
Questioning changing audience preferences, Sudhanshu said, “What is happening to our country? People on Instagram have started liking such things that I find cringe-worthy. Many such things are becoming popular. Is our country’s mentality changing so much?” He added, “I won’t say only the new generation has changed. Maybe the previous generations or the last two generations have also changed a lot because people like things that I think are very harmful for our society.”
The actor said he does not regularly watch reality shows, but recently came across clips from an OTT reality series that left him shocked. “I see that some notorious people only come to make noise, to insult others, to abuse others. Recently, I saw some clippings of a reality show on an OTT channel. Everyone was openly abusing each other,” he said. He added, “Sometimes I am surprised that nowadays girls are abusing more than necessary, even more than boys. I feel the cool quotient has been completely misunderstood.”
Without naming anyone directly, Sudhanshu also referred to a senior entertainment industry personality and his wife taking part in such a show, saying even established figures were openly using abusive language on screen. “I have seen that although the wife of a very senior actor is a star in the industry, who is a part of the show as well, she is also openly abusing others. What kind of example are we setting for the world? We have grown up, we have become seniors. If we cannot set a good example for the younger generation, then what are we doing?” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the trend, Sudhanshu said normalising insults and abusive language in the name of entertainment reflected poorly on society. “I feel that we are becoming a burden on this earth, because if abusing others and insulting people has become the only way to showcase yourself, then I feel, as a society, we are completely ruined,” he said. He also linked the acceptance of such behaviour to the rise of hate and violence, adding, “Words have a lot of power. Words have energy. Your two words can change someone’s life. We should always try to speak positively and responsibly because our words carry energy.”
Appealing directly to broadcasters and streaming platforms, Sudhanshu urged them to stop promoting hostile behaviour simply to drive viewership, criticising the industry's focus on "numbers" at the expense of content standards. He expressed disappointment that high-profile stars are willing to host these programs, effectively validating contestants who rely on insults and abuse, before concluding with a hope that both audiences and executives would reflect on his words to bring about a more responsible cultural shift.
Lock Upp Season 2 includes Harshad Chopda, Pamela, Shivangi Joshi, Varun Yadav, Akansha Chaudhary, Yogesh Rawat, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Ram Kapoor and Madhuri Jain Grover among others.
The show is available for streaming on Netflix.
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey has said reality shows on television and OTT platforms should not glorify abusive language, warning that such content sets a poor example and could have serious consequences for society. In remarks that appeared to be an indirect jibe at Ssunita Ahuja over Lock Upp Season 2, he questioned the kind of behaviour being normalised on screen and asked, “What kind of an example are we setting?”
Known for playing Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa and Baldev in Do Dil Ek Jaan, Sudhanshu shared his views during a live session on social media. He said he was concerned by the kind of content becoming popular on digital platforms and argued that several viral trends he sees online are “cringe-worthy” and point to a worrying shift in social values.
Questioning changing audience preferences, Sudhanshu said, “What is happening to our country? People on Instagram have started liking such things that I find cringe-worthy. Many such things are becoming popular. Is our country’s mentality changing so much?” He added, “I won’t say only the new generation has changed. Maybe the previous generations or the last two generations have also changed a lot because people like things that I think are very harmful for our society.”
The actor said he does not regularly watch reality shows, but recently came across clips from an OTT reality series that left him shocked. “I see that some notorious people only come to make noise, to insult others, to abuse others. Recently, I saw some clippings of a reality show on an OTT channel. Everyone was openly abusing each other,” he said. He added, “Sometimes I am surprised that nowadays girls are abusing more than necessary, even more than boys. I feel the cool quotient has been completely misunderstood.”
Without naming anyone directly, Sudhanshu also referred to a senior entertainment industry personality and his wife taking part in such a show, saying even established figures were openly using abusive language on screen. “I have seen that although the wife of a very senior actor is a star in the industry, who is a part of the show as well, she is also openly abusing others. What kind of example are we setting for the world? We have grown up, we have become seniors. If we cannot set a good example for the younger generation, then what are we doing?” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the trend, Sudhanshu said normalising insults and abusive language in the name of entertainment reflected poorly on society. “I feel that we are becoming a burden on this earth, because if abusing others and insulting people has become the only way to showcase yourself, then I feel, as a society, we are completely ruined,” he said. He also linked the acceptance of such behaviour to the rise of hate and violence, adding, “Words have a lot of power. Words have energy. Your two words can change someone’s life. We should always try to speak positively and responsibly because our words carry energy.”
Appealing directly to broadcasters and streaming platforms, Sudhanshu urged them to stop promoting hostile behaviour simply to drive viewership, criticising the industry's focus on "numbers" at the expense of content standards. He expressed disappointment that high-profile stars are willing to host these programs, effectively validating contestants who rely on insults and abuse, before concluding with a hope that both audiences and executives would reflect on his words to bring about a more responsible cultural shift.
Lock Upp Season 2 includes Harshad Chopda, Pamela, Shivangi Joshi, Varun Yadav, Akansha Chaudhary, Yogesh Rawat, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Ram Kapoor and Madhuri Jain Grover among others.
The show is available for streaming on Netflix.
