Harshad Chopda recalls running away from gay man as Sufi discusses sexuality
A discussion on sexuality and identity in Lock Upp episode five prompted candid accounts from Sufi Motiwala, Dheeraj Dhoopar and Harshad Chopda. The exchange highlighted fear, family rejection and the stereotypes queer people continue to face.
The latest episode of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa featured an emotional conversation on sexuality and acceptance, with actor Harshad Chopda recalling how he once ran away from a gay man out of fear before later apologising to him. The discussion also saw fashion influencer Sufi Motiwala open up about the challenges of accepting his sexuality and the lack of support he has faced from his family.
In the fifth episode, contestants were asked whether sexuality is a person’s identity, a part of their identity, or something shaped by society’s perception.
The inmates were also told that between 70 and 95 per cent people hide their true sexual identity because they fear being judged. The discussion led to a series of personal accounts inside the house, including an emotional moment from fashion influencer Sufi Motiwala and reflections from actors Dheeraj Dhoopar and Harshad Chopda.
Sufi spoke openly about his own journey and the difficulties he has faced because of his sexuality. He said that even now, his parents believe there is something wrong with him, which has made acceptance at home very difficult. Speaking about the experience of many people in the LGBTQ+ community, Sufi said, “It is very difficult to come out to your families. People are sent to conversion therapies, where violence is used against them, and they are brainwashed.” As he spoke, actor Ram Kapoor silently agreed. The conversation became too much for Sufi, who broke down in tears as fellow contestants gathered around him.
Elsewhere in the house, Dheeraj and Harshad spoke about their own experiences and views. Dheeraj said, “I am very comfortable around gay people. It does not feel any different to me. Personally, I believe they are better human beings. They are more sensitive towards everything. They are wonderful.”
Harshad, however, said that in the past his reactions were shaped by fear and a lack of understanding. Recalling an incident from years ago, he said, “I have done one ramp walk in my life. I did not get paid for that either, because I had to go home to collect the money.” He then spoke about running away from an encounter with a gay person. “Earlier, I would just run away. I did not know how to deal with it. I had met that person a few days earlier. I was very scared, and at that time I made an excuse about a shoot and left. He knew the shoot had been cancelled, but I still ran away,” he said.
Harshad added that he met the same person again recently and apologised. He said, “When I met him now, I went to him and told him, ‘Sorry, I did not know how to deal with the situation’. I am not a confrontational person. I am a timid person. Maybe it takes me longer, but I used to feel scared.”
His comments also brought back an earlier conversation from the show that had already sparked debate on social media. In a previous episode, while speaking to fellow contestant Shreya Kalra, Harshad had asked, “If somebody is a little scared of gay people, what would that come into? Homophobic? The person is a bit scared or wary, not that the person hates the community.” Shreya then asked him, “Are you scared of gay people?” Although Harshad laughed, Shreya pointed to a stereotype often faced by queer people. She said, “You feel gay people hit on you. But with that thought, you are putting every gay person in the same box, which is not true.”
Hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan, the new season of Lock Upp has 15 contestants, including Dheeraj Dhoopar, Akanksha Chamola, Shivangi Joshi and Harshad Chopda, along with reality television personalities such as Shreya Kalra, Yogesh Rawat, Pamela Serena and Akanksha Choudhary. The show streams on Netflix, with new episodes released from Saturday to Wednesday at 8 pm. Episode five stood out for its discussion on identity, fear, acceptance and the personal experiences shared by the contestants.
The latest episode of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa featured an emotional conversation on sexuality and acceptance, with actor Harshad Chopda recalling how he once ran away from a gay man out of fear before later apologising to him. The discussion also saw fashion influencer Sufi Motiwala open up about the challenges of accepting his sexuality and the lack of support he has faced from his family.
In the fifth episode, contestants were asked whether sexuality is a person’s identity, a part of their identity, or something shaped by society’s perception.
The inmates were also told that between 70 and 95 per cent people hide their true sexual identity because they fear being judged. The discussion led to a series of personal accounts inside the house, including an emotional moment from fashion influencer Sufi Motiwala and reflections from actors Dheeraj Dhoopar and Harshad Chopda.
Sufi spoke openly about his own journey and the difficulties he has faced because of his sexuality. He said that even now, his parents believe there is something wrong with him, which has made acceptance at home very difficult. Speaking about the experience of many people in the LGBTQ+ community, Sufi said, “It is very difficult to come out to your families. People are sent to conversion therapies, where violence is used against them, and they are brainwashed.” As he spoke, actor Ram Kapoor silently agreed. The conversation became too much for Sufi, who broke down in tears as fellow contestants gathered around him.
Elsewhere in the house, Dheeraj and Harshad spoke about their own experiences and views. Dheeraj said, “I am very comfortable around gay people. It does not feel any different to me. Personally, I believe they are better human beings. They are more sensitive towards everything. They are wonderful.”
Harshad, however, said that in the past his reactions were shaped by fear and a lack of understanding. Recalling an incident from years ago, he said, “I have done one ramp walk in my life. I did not get paid for that either, because I had to go home to collect the money.” He then spoke about running away from an encounter with a gay person. “Earlier, I would just run away. I did not know how to deal with it. I had met that person a few days earlier. I was very scared, and at that time I made an excuse about a shoot and left. He knew the shoot had been cancelled, but I still ran away,” he said.
Harshad added that he met the same person again recently and apologised. He said, “When I met him now, I went to him and told him, ‘Sorry, I did not know how to deal with the situation’. I am not a confrontational person. I am a timid person. Maybe it takes me longer, but I used to feel scared.”
His comments also brought back an earlier conversation from the show that had already sparked debate on social media. In a previous episode, while speaking to fellow contestant Shreya Kalra, Harshad had asked, “If somebody is a little scared of gay people, what would that come into? Homophobic? The person is a bit scared or wary, not that the person hates the community.” Shreya then asked him, “Are you scared of gay people?” Although Harshad laughed, Shreya pointed to a stereotype often faced by queer people. She said, “You feel gay people hit on you. But with that thought, you are putting every gay person in the same box, which is not true.”
Hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan, the new season of Lock Upp has 15 contestants, including Dheeraj Dhoopar, Akanksha Chamola, Shivangi Joshi and Harshad Chopda, along with reality television personalities such as Shreya Kalra, Yogesh Rawat, Pamela Serena and Akanksha Choudhary. The show streams on Netflix, with new episodes released from Saturday to Wednesday at 8 pm. Episode five stood out for its discussion on identity, fear, acceptance and the personal experiences shared by the contestants.
