“Nothing to be insecure about”: Dheeraj Dhoopar breaks silence on influencers taking over reality shows

Television star Dheeraj Dhoopar is ready to enter a brand-new arena as he gears up for the second season of Lock Upp, and this time, it’s not just actors he’ll be competing against.

The reality show, hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, brings together a mix of television stars and social media influencers — a trend that has become increasingly common in the reality TV space.

And while many actors have expressed concern over influencers dominating these shows, Dheeraj has made his stance clear.

“I have nothing to be insecure about”

In an exclusive interaction, Dheeraj addressed the growing debate over whether social media creators are getting an upper hand due to their massive digital reach.

The actor dismissed any insecurity around the competition.

“I have nothing to be insecure about. We have all been picked from our respective fields. Everyone entering the show is equally capable,” he said.

He added that for him, what matters most is personal connection rather than professional background.

“It doesn’t matter what field a person belongs to. What matters is how well I gel with someone personally,” Dheeraj shared.

Influencers vs actors — who has the edge?

Reality shows today often feature creators with huge online fan bases, making them strong contenders from day one.

But Dheeraj believes popularity alone cannot guarantee long-term success.

“It is the time of social media and yes, talent cannot be ignored either. You can trend for a short time, but you sustain only with talent,” he explained.

His statement comes at a time when influencers like Riyaz Ali and Shreya Kalra continue to gain major traction in entertainment spaces.

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Why Lock Upp 2?

Known for popular shows like Kundali Bhagya, Sasural Simar Ka, and Sherdil Shergill, Dheeraj says reality TV was the one space he hadn’t explored yet.

That curiosity, along with the platform, pushed him to say yes.

“After doing multiple shows on TV and exploring OTT, I wanted to try something different. Reality space is something I haven’t explored at all, and Lock Upp felt perfect,” he said.

He also revealed that the collaboration between Netflix and Ekta Kapoor was a major reason behind his decision.

The race for survival begins

Season 2 of Lock Upp features a diverse lineup including Shivangi Joshi, Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja, and others.

With strategy, emotions, and fan support all playing crucial roles, Dheeraj’s confidence suggests he’s entering the game with one clear goal — to win.

And if his words are anything to go by, he’s not worried about who’s standing beside him.