Omung Kumar explains the hidden details in Lock Upp 2's prison set
Filmmaker Omung Kumar has detailed how he designed a stylised prison world for Netflix's Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. He disclosed how he aimed to create a prison unlike anything audiences had seen before, while giving the reality show a distinct visual identity.
Production designer and filmmaker Omung Kumar recently opened up about designing the set for Netflix's upcoming reality show, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. Speaking to India Today, Kumar revealed that from the very beginning, he was determined to create a prison setting unlike anything audiences had seen before, aiming to give the show a distinct visual identity.
Drawing inspiration from real jails and even his work on the film Sarbjit, Kumar said he deliberately stayed away from the grimy, claustrophobic aesthetic associated with prisons and instead envisioned a modern, stylised world designed for today's audience.
"We've seen in news, channels and photographs how grungy prison cells are, with gutters and insects and all of that. We didn't want that. We didn't want Sarabjit's grungy set. We wanted a swanky set for today's generation and something that would go worldwide because it's Netflix, and something that's unbelievable," the 58-year-old director said.
For the Mary Kom director, the idea was to make the prison feel larger than life. "The moment the idea came to me, I said I wanted a double-storey height. I wanted railings throughout and a huge fan with light coming through. I wanted movement. I think like a director, an inmate, a viewer and even the host. I keep asking myself, 'What more can I give them?'" he said.
Though the set looks stylish, every element has been designed to mess with the contestants' minds.
"Lock Upp is a format that plays with your mind. You're confined to one place for six weeks or two months. The cells are small and the beds almost touch the bars. We wanted that feeling of restriction,” he explained.
Given the revamped look of an ordinary jail, Kumar revealed that several design elements carry hidden meanings. One such feature is a bright yellow sofa placed amid the otherwise grey, black and red interiors.
"Everything else is hard and rough, so I wanted one leisurely sofa and wondered who would go and occupy it. Eventually, it might become the favourite place for some contestants," he said.
Kumar also revealed that the colour palette was chosen with great care to complement the show's overall vision. Addressing the inevitable comparisons with his earlier reality show, Bigg Boss, he emphasised that his goal was to give Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa a unique visual identity and ensure it stood apart from any of his previous projects.
"I'm very proud of this set because it's a very swanky-looking place. We haven't used too many colours. It's mostly grey and black with hints of red. The challenge was how to mute everything and still maintain the flavour," he said.
He added that touches of yellow and black warning stripes were introduced at the last minute to add visual contrast.
Adding to its many twists, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa introduces a unique format element that sets it apart from other reality shows, contestants will not have access to a kitchen. Instead, meals will be delivered through an automated system, with food becoming directly linked to the tasks they perform and the truths they reveal inside the house, raising the stakes of the game.
"There's no cooking here. The food will come through a machine. How much food they'll get depends on what truths they tell and what they earn," Kumar said.
Built from scratch over two months, the sprawling set employed nearly 150-200 people and features more than 90 cameras, some visible and some hidden.
"Every corner has to be captured. It's a larger-than-life project," he said.
The house also includes a dedicated "jailer's den" for hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, fitted with monitors to keep an eye on contestants.
"It's their domain. Farah and Riteish will be sharing that one chair, or maybe not, and might even fight over it. I don't know. They are also interesting characters. There are monitors all around for them to have a closer look at the inmates, maybe call them in this room and yell at them. So this is their room, they can have fun in this room," he said.
When asked if Farah and Riteish shared any inputs for their den, Omung said, "Not right now, they will also be surprised to see what I have done to their place. It's in a neutral space and yet has a swankness in it."
The prison cells themselves are intentionally uncomfortable. There are rooms for two, three, and four contestants, with beds pushed close to the bars to heighten the feeling of confinement.
"People asked me if the beds touching the bars would work. I said, 'No, we want that craziness.' We removed walls in some places to create different combinations. The uniforms also have a touch of red and black. Also, since this jail is so confined, they will suffocate and want to run out. Jail is the only place where there are beds and one sofa outside, rest everything else is hard surface, which will make it difficult for them to rest comfortably," he said.
Even the washrooms have been designed to trigger friction. Fourteen contestants will share just four washrooms.
Outside, contestants will get access to a gym, basketball area and activity zone, though Kumar hinted at several surprises he is keeping under wraps.
Lock Upp: Sach ya Sazaa will premiere on Netflix on June 27.
Production designer and filmmaker Omung Kumar recently opened up about designing the set for Netflix's upcoming reality show, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. Speaking to India Today, Kumar revealed that from the very beginning, he was determined to create a prison setting unlike anything audiences had seen before, aiming to give the show a distinct visual identity.
Drawing inspiration from real jails and even his work on the film Sarbjit, Kumar said he deliberately stayed away from the grimy, claustrophobic aesthetic associated with prisons and instead envisioned a modern, stylised world designed for today's audience.
"We've seen in news, channels and photographs how grungy prison cells are, with gutters and insects and all of that. We didn't want that. We didn't want Sarabjit's grungy set. We wanted a swanky set for today's generation and something that would go worldwide because it's Netflix, and something that's unbelievable," the 58-year-old director said.
For the Mary Kom director, the idea was to make the prison feel larger than life. "The moment the idea came to me, I said I wanted a double-storey height. I wanted railings throughout and a huge fan with light coming through. I wanted movement. I think like a director, an inmate, a viewer and even the host. I keep asking myself, 'What more can I give them?'" he said.
Though the set looks stylish, every element has been designed to mess with the contestants' minds.
"Lock Upp is a format that plays with your mind. You're confined to one place for six weeks or two months. The cells are small and the beds almost touch the bars. We wanted that feeling of restriction,” he explained.
Given the revamped look of an ordinary jail, Kumar revealed that several design elements carry hidden meanings. One such feature is a bright yellow sofa placed amid the otherwise grey, black and red interiors.
"Everything else is hard and rough, so I wanted one leisurely sofa and wondered who would go and occupy it. Eventually, it might become the favourite place for some contestants," he said.
Kumar also revealed that the colour palette was chosen with great care to complement the show's overall vision. Addressing the inevitable comparisons with his earlier reality show, Bigg Boss, he emphasised that his goal was to give Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa a unique visual identity and ensure it stood apart from any of his previous projects.
"I'm very proud of this set because it's a very swanky-looking place. We haven't used too many colours. It's mostly grey and black with hints of red. The challenge was how to mute everything and still maintain the flavour," he said.
He added that touches of yellow and black warning stripes were introduced at the last minute to add visual contrast.
Adding to its many twists, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa introduces a unique format element that sets it apart from other reality shows, contestants will not have access to a kitchen. Instead, meals will be delivered through an automated system, with food becoming directly linked to the tasks they perform and the truths they reveal inside the house, raising the stakes of the game.
"There's no cooking here. The food will come through a machine. How much food they'll get depends on what truths they tell and what they earn," Kumar said.
Built from scratch over two months, the sprawling set employed nearly 150-200 people and features more than 90 cameras, some visible and some hidden.
"Every corner has to be captured. It's a larger-than-life project," he said.
The house also includes a dedicated "jailer's den" for hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, fitted with monitors to keep an eye on contestants.
"It's their domain. Farah and Riteish will be sharing that one chair, or maybe not, and might even fight over it. I don't know. They are also interesting characters. There are monitors all around for them to have a closer look at the inmates, maybe call them in this room and yell at them. So this is their room, they can have fun in this room," he said.
When asked if Farah and Riteish shared any inputs for their den, Omung said, "Not right now, they will also be surprised to see what I have done to their place. It's in a neutral space and yet has a swankness in it."
The prison cells themselves are intentionally uncomfortable. There are rooms for two, three, and four contestants, with beds pushed close to the bars to heighten the feeling of confinement.
"People asked me if the beds touching the bars would work. I said, 'No, we want that craziness.' We removed walls in some places to create different combinations. The uniforms also have a touch of red and black. Also, since this jail is so confined, they will suffocate and want to run out. Jail is the only place where there are beds and one sofa outside, rest everything else is hard surface, which will make it difficult for them to rest comfortably," he said.
Even the washrooms have been designed to trigger friction. Fourteen contestants will share just four washrooms.
Outside, contestants will get access to a gym, basketball area and activity zone, though Kumar hinted at several surprises he is keeping under wraps.
Lock Upp: Sach ya Sazaa will premiere on Netflix on June 27.
