Actor Harshad Chopda has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after a conversation with fellow contestant Shreya Kalra on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa went viral.
A clip from the reality show has been widely shared online, with many viewers accusing Harshad of making homophobic remarks. At the same time, several fans have defended the actor, saying his comments were misunderstood and taken out of context.
In the viral video, Harshad asks Shreya whether a person who is simply scared or uncomfortable around gay people would be considered “homophobic.”
“If somebody is a little scared of gay people, what would that come into? Homophobic? That person is just scared or wary, not that the person hates the community,” Harshad says in the clip.
Shreya immediately questioned him, asking, “Are you scared of gay people?”
As Harshad laughed, Shreya explained why she disagreed with his thinking.
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“You feel gay people will hit on you. But by thinking that way, you’re putting every gay person in the same box, and that’s not true,” she told him.
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, triggering a wave of reactions.
Many users criticised Harshad, calling his remarks insensitive and accusing him of promoting stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. Some even labelled him “homophobic,” while others praised Shreya for challenging his views during the conversation.
Several posts on social media claimed that Harshad’s comments reflected prejudice rather than fear, with users saying that assuming all gay people would be attracted to someone is itself a harmful stereotype.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism.
A section of Harshad’s fans came to his defence, arguing that the viral clip lacked context. They claimed the actor was trying to understand the meaning of the term “homophobia” rather than expressing hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Some supporters also suggested that Harshad may have been speaking from a personal experience and appreciated that he was asking questions instead of making offensive statements. Others urged people not to judge him based on a short clip circulating online.
The debate has since divided social media, with opinions split between those who believe Harshad’s remarks were inappropriate and those who feel he has been unfairly targeted.
The controversy comes just days after Harshad made an emotional revelation on the show about his personal life. During the premiere episode, he shared that he became more private after being betrayed by both his girlfriend and his best friend in 2010, saying the experience made it difficult for him to trust people.
Hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa continues to generate headlines with emotional confessions, heated arguments and viral moments. Whether Harshad addresses the ongoing backlash in the coming episodes remains to be seen, but the conversation has certainly become one of the most talked-about moments of the season.
