02 July,2026 02:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Harshad Chopda (Picture via special arrangement)
Actor Harshad Chopda has landed at the centre of a social media controversy after a conversation with fellow contestant Shreya Kalra on Netflix's Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa went viral. The exchange sparked a heated debate online, with several viewers accusing the television star of making homophobic remarks, while others defended him, claiming his words were taken out of context.
In the now-viral clip, Harshad is seen asking Shreya what it would mean if someone was "a little scared of gay people" without actually hating them. Referring to the term "homophobic," he wondered whether being wary of gay people automatically made someone homophobic. Shreya responded by asking if he was personally afraid of gay people. She then pointed out that assuming every gay person would be interested in him amounted to stereotyping an entire community, adding that such a belief was inaccurate. Dheeraj Dhoopar also shared his experience revealing that he has always been comfortable with them, there hasn't been any such moments and calls them the nicest people who understand humility more deeper than others.
The conversation quickly spread across social media, where many users criticised Harshad for his remarks. Several posts described his comments as homophobic and appreciated Shreya for challenging his perspective during the discussion. Some users said she had given the actor a "reality check," while others felt his statements reflected outdated views.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. A section of Harshad's fans defended the actor, arguing that the viral clip lacked complete context. They maintained that he was attempting to understand the meaning of homophobia rather than expressing hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community. Some supporters suggested that Harshad may have been speaking from personal experiences and insisted that one conversation should not be enough to judge his character.
The controversy comes just days after Harshad opened up about his personal life on the reality show. During the premiere, he revealed that he became more reserved after being cheated on by his girlfriend with his best friend in 2010, an incident that deeply affected him and changed his outlook on relationships.
Hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa has already generated significant buzz for its intense confrontations and emotional revelations. Along with Harshad and Shreya, the show features contestants including Dheeraj Dhoopar, Akanksha Chamola, Shivangi Joshi, Yogesh Rawat, Pamela Serena and Akanksha Choudhary. As debates over Harshad's remarks continue online, the incident has become one of the season's most talked-about moments.
