29 July,2026 11:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shivangi Joshi (Pictures via Instagram)
Television actress Shivangi Joshi has found herself at the centre of an online controversy after an emotional revelation on Lock Upp prompted some viewers to question the authenticity of her story. The actress' team has now issued a detailed clarification, insisting that there is no contradiction in what Shivangi shared on the reality show.
During the latest episode, contestants were asked to reveal deeply personal secrets based on prompts. When given the prompt "bread butter," Shivangi broke down as she recalled one of the toughest phases of her childhood.
Sharing the incident, Shivangi revealed that her father had entered the transport business with a relative after leaving his earlier profession. According to her, the business eventually suffered heavy losses after the partner allegedly shifted the financial burden onto her father. She said the family lost everything and struggled to afford even basic necessities.
Recalling those difficult days, the actress said that relatives helped them survive by bringing bread and butter because they could not even afford to cook. Shivangi further shared that her parents took up multiple jobs, including working at a canteen, stitching clothes and washing utensils, to support the family. She added that she is now the primary earning member and looks after everyone at home.
Soon after the episode aired, several social media users resurfaced older interviews in which Shivangi had said that her father served in the Army. Some questioned how he could also have been a businessman, accusing the actress of changing her story.
Responding to the criticism, Shivangi's team clarified that both statements are true. They explained that her father first served in the Army, opted for voluntary retirement, and only then ventured into business. According to the team, people were comparing two different phases of his life and mistakenly calling it a contradiction.
Another section of social media users also questioned Shivangi's statement about living on the streets, citing older interviews where she had spoken about growing up in a large family home. Her team addressed that claim as well, saying that having a family house in their hometown did not erase the financial crisis they later faced. They also pointed out that a "secret" is, by definition, something that had not been shared publicly before.
With the debate continuing online, Shivangi remains one of the strongest contestants on Lock Upp. However, she is currently at risk of elimination, and it remains to be seen whether she secures a place in the finale week.
