25 June,2026 11:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Yogesh and Akanksha (Pic/Special Arrangement)
As excitement builds for Netflix's Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, Munawar Faruqui finds himself drawn back to the Lock Upp once again. But this time, he's not the one behind bars. Instead, he introduces two new inmates of the show, Yogesh Rawat and Akanksha Chaudhary. Notably, the duo was earlier seen on Splitsvilla 16, where their relationship dynamics sparked major buzz after Yogesh's ex-girlfriend, Ruru, entered the show and accused him of cheating.
Yogesh Rawat and Akanksha Chaudhary, who made headlines during the 16th edition of Splitsvilla, are all set to reunite on the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa on Netflix. It was on the youth-based reality show that Yogesh and Akanksha first met and decided to pursue a relationship. Things took a dramatic turn when Yogesh's former girlfriend, Ruru, entered the show and accused him of cheating.
Speaking about joining the show, Yogesh said in a statement, "The raw and real Yogesh that people connected with is exactly what they're going to see inside Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa." Akanksha, meanwhile, stated that she still has many answers to give to her fans.
Yogesh and Akanksha's entry into the show was announced by Lock Upp winner Munawar Faruqui. In a newly released video, Munawar breaks into the all-new Lock Upp, joking that neither he nor the jail can stay away from each other for too long. As he explores the sprawling new space, viewers get a first look at the jailers' room, inmate cells, living quarters, and more. Along the way, a mysterious neckband sets off alarms across the Lock Upp, hinting at the many surprises awaiting the contestants.
Other contestants include Ram Kapoor, Pamala Serena, and Shivangi Joshi, among others. The contestants were revealed at a press conference held in Mumbai ahead of the show's release on June 27. Adding to the excitement, Netflix also surprised fans by unveiling television heartthrob Dheeraj Dhoopar as one of the contestants.
The show features fourteen inmates competing over six weeks under the watch of two jailers in a single Lock Upp. Here, comfort is earned, not given. Inmates must complete tasks to earn in-game currency required for basic necessities such as food, supplies, and privileges, turning survival itself into a strategy. However, the game's most volatile currency is "truth." Set in a world where nothing remains hidden for long, the show tests how contestants navigate revelations that can either strengthen their position or leave them vulnerable.
