Lock Upp season 2 is returning, but everything about the show is fresh and revamped. However, producer Ektaa Kapoor has officially confirmed that Kangana Ranaut, who hosted the first season of this show, will not be hosting the upcoming season, and her reason is straightforward. The show has been completely reimagined from the ground up, and bringing back any element from the original would undermine its fresh new identity. From the format to the platform, Lock Upp 2 is being positioned as a clean slate. The show is set to premiere on Netflix.
Ektaa Kapoor on Lock Upp 2
At the official launch event for the show in Mumbai, Ektaa Kapoor addressed the question around Kangana’s absence. She explained that every core element of the show, including the format, the overall creative vision, and the jailer-judge setup that was central to Season 1, has been revamped entirely.
Kangana
Neither the original host nor the jailer from season 1 is returning this season. According to Kapoor, retaining any part of the old setup would work against the show’s rebranding effort. She also noted that she was confident Kangana would understand the reasoning behind the call. Kangana had hosted the debut season when it aired in 2022 on ALTBalaji and MX Player, and is currently serving as a Member of Parliament.
What do we know about Lock Upp 2?
The shift from ALTBalaji and MX Player to Netflix is the biggest structural change for Lock Upp 2. It is expected to significantly expand the show’s reach, both in India and globally. Actor Riteish Deshmukh and filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan are the new hosts of the show.
Netflix has already kicked off its promotional push ahead of the June 27 premiere, running a campaign that featured masked qaidis (prisoners), as the term translates, appearing at public spots and across social media, generating considerable buzz online. The show’s premise stays intact and the same as season 1; contestants will be placed inside a prison-style setup where they compete in tasks, form alliances, and reveal personal stories to avoid getting eliminated.
Produced by Balaji Telefilms and created by Ektaa Kapoor, the full contestant line-up for the new season is yet to be officially announced. However, the , as revealed at the Mumbai press conference, includes the names of Ram Kapoor, Shivangi Joshi, and Pamala Serena.