Harshad Chopda becomes first finalist as Shivangi Joshi exits

Harshad Chopda has secured the first finalist position in Lock Upp 2, while Shivangi Joshi’s journey on the reality show came to an unexpected end after a dramatic elimination that left contestants and viewers stunned.

The latest episode featured an emotional task to determine the season’s first finalist. Several contestants, including Varun Yadav, Shilpa Shinde, Ram Kapoor and Akanksha Chamola, stepped aside, leaving Harshad Chopda and Shivangi Joshi as the final two contenders for the coveted spot.

As part of the challenge, the two actors were locked inside the final cell and asked to decide between themselves who deserved to move directly into the finale. However, the decision proved difficult as both contestants hesitated to choose themselves over the other, resulting in an emotional conversation that revealed the strong bond they had formed during the competition.

During the discussion, Chopda surprised Joshi by admitting that he had intentionally lost one of the earlier tasks to help her. The revelation caught the actress off guard, especially after he had previously denied making such a sacrifice.

“I did lose the game,” Chopda confessed, leaving Joshi visibly confused and emotional.

Questioning his decision, Joshi asked why he had given up an opportunity that could have benefited him. Chopda explained that throughout the season he had often put others before himself. This time, however, he felt it was important to focus on his own journey and fight for a place in the finale.

Despite his explanation, neither contestant was willing to make the final decision. Their reluctance prompted hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh to intervene and encourage them to settle the matter.

Chopda remained firm, saying that for the first time in the competition he wanted to prioritise himself. Realising his determination, Joshi eventually stepped out of the final cell, allowing Chopda to claim the title of the season’s first finalist.

The emotional moment was followed by another dramatic twist that changed the course of the game.

Earlier in the episode, Shreya Kalra had earned a special advantage after winning a crucial task. The reward gave her the authority to eliminate one contestant from the competition.

Most contestants believed Kalra would use her power against either Yogesh Rawat or Akanksha Chamola, making her eventual decision all the more surprising.

Instead, Kalra chose to evict Shivangi Joshi, bringing the actress’s journey on Lock Upp 2 to an abrupt end. The unexpected elimination shocked fellow contestants, many of whom had not anticipated Joshi’s exit at this stage of the competition. Viewers also reacted with surprise, as the actress had been widely considered one of the strongest contenders for the title.

With Chopda becoming the first confirmed finalist and Joshi leaving the show in a dramatic fashion, the race for the Lock Upp 2 trophy has become even more intense. As the finale draws closer, the remaining contestants will continue battling for the remaining spots in the final, promising more emotional moments, strategic gameplay and unexpected twists before the winner is crowned.