Asked me to sit on his lap: Shivangi Joshi recalls childhood molestation on Lock Upp

Actor Shivangi Joshi opened up about being allegedly molested as a child by a man she considered her uncle on the latest episode of Lock Upp 2. The actor credited Ram Kapoor, Harshad Chopda and her fellow contestants for giving her the courage to finally speak about the traumatic experience. Reacting to the revelation, Shivangi's mother urged parents to educate their children about safe and unsafe touch, saying that if their family's story could protect even one child, it was worth sharing.

Recalling her childhood, the 28-year-old actor said the man was her mother's brother, whom she addressed as "Mama Ji." She alleged that because her mother trusted him, he would often pick her up from school and gradually began taking advantage of the situation.

"He used to tell my mother that he would pick me up from school. Since I wanted to become an actor, he would say I needed to learn how to drive. He asked me to sit on his lap, hold the steering wheel and said, 'You'll learn this way.' I didn't understand what was happening or what his intentions were, but I knew I didn't like it. Eventually, I told him I didn't want to learn anymore," she said.

Shivangi further said that on another occasion, when she was home alone, the man tried to force himself on her.

"My parents had gone out, and he came home at night. He told me that if I wanted to become an actor in Mumbai, I would have to do different kinds of scenes and should be prepared. He kissed my forehead and cheeks, and when he tried to kiss me on my lips, I pushed him away. I accidentally hit him, and he got angry and threw me to the floor,” she added.

However, according to her, nothing further happened as her parents had returned home by then. Hearing her screams, they rushed inside, and after learning what had allegedly happened, they beat the man and threw him out of the house. Shivangi added that the incident left her deeply traumatised.

Reacting to Shivangi's emotional revelation in the Instagram caption, her mother urged parents to have open conversations with their children about safe and unsafe touch. She stressed the importance of listening to children and believing them, even if they struggle to express what they have experienced. "Talk to your children. Teach them, early, the difference between a touch that is okay and one that is not. And when they try to tell you something, even without the right words, listen. Believe them," she said.

She added, "What my daughter went through should never happen to any child. If our story protects even one, it was worth telling. Keep them close, keep them heard."

Other than Shivangi, Shreya Kalra and Ram Kapoor also revealed a similar secret where they were molested at a young age and that left a deep scar in their lives.

Hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is streaming on Netflix.

Actor Shivangi Joshi opened up about being allegedly molested as a child by a man she considered her uncle on the latest episode of Lock Upp 2. The actor credited Ram Kapoor, Harshad Chopda and her fellow contestants for giving her the courage to finally speak about the traumatic experience. Reacting to the revelation, Shivangi's mother urged parents to educate their children about safe and unsafe touch, saying that if their family's story could protect even one child, it was worth sharing.

Recalling her childhood, the 28-year-old actor said the man was her mother's brother, whom she addressed as "Mama Ji." She alleged that because her mother trusted him, he would often pick her up from school and gradually began taking advantage of the situation.

"He used to tell my mother that he would pick me up from school. Since I wanted to become an actor, he would say I needed to learn how to drive. He asked me to sit on his lap, hold the steering wheel and said, 'You'll learn this way.' I didn't understand what was happening or what his intentions were, but I knew I didn't like it. Eventually, I told him I didn't want to learn anymore," she said.

Shivangi further said that on another occasion, when she was home alone, the man tried to force himself on her.

"My parents had gone out, and he came home at night. He told me that if I wanted to become an actor in Mumbai, I would have to do different kinds of scenes and should be prepared. He kissed my forehead and cheeks, and when he tried to kiss me on my lips, I pushed him away. I accidentally hit him, and he got angry and threw me to the floor,” she added.

However, according to her, nothing further happened as her parents had returned home by then. Hearing her screams, they rushed inside, and after learning what had allegedly happened, they beat the man and threw him out of the house. Shivangi added that the incident left her deeply traumatised.

Reacting to Shivangi's emotional revelation in the Instagram caption, her mother urged parents to have open conversations with their children about safe and unsafe touch. She stressed the importance of listening to children and believing them, even if they struggle to express what they have experienced. "Talk to your children. Teach them, early, the difference between a touch that is okay and one that is not. And when they try to tell you something, even without the right words, listen. Believe them," she said.

She added, "What my daughter went through should never happen to any child. If our story protects even one, it was worth telling. Keep them close, keep them heard."

Other than Shivangi, Shreya Kalra and Ram Kapoor also revealed a similar secret where they were molested at a young age and that left a deep scar in their lives.

Hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is streaming on Netflix.