Lock Upp Season 2 contestant Shivangi Joshi has finally addressed some of the biggest controversies surrounding her journey inside the reality show. In her first detailed interaction after coming out of the house, Shivangi spoke candidly about Shreya Kalra calling her a "backstabber," her emotional bond with Harshad, her equation with Shilpa Chand, and the many moments that sparked debates among fans throughout the season.
Right at the beginning, Shivangi brushed aside Shreya Kalra's recent comments where the winner had referred to her as a "backstabber." Instead of reacting aggressively, Shivangi laughed it off and insisted that the statement should be seen in the context of a reality show. "That's okay. I think she said that during the game too, so she probably just repeated it. I have nothing against that. It's okay," Shivangi said. She further clarified that she never considered herself a backstabber. "As for being called a backstabber... I can say for sure that I definitely wasn't one. But it's fine; I think it's just a game." Giving a humorous example, she added, "Shreya once said that if there were a human dead body on a plate, she would eat it. Do you think she would actually eat it? No. Obviously not. We often say things in the heat of the moment—out of anger." Shivangi concluded by saying, "But it's all good; we're good."
One of the biggest talking points during Lock Upp Season 2 was Shivangi's friendship with fellow contestant Harshad, who repeatedly declared inside the house that he was willing to sacrifice his own game for her. Asked whether she would have done the same had the situation been reversed, Shivangi answered without hesitation. "I think if the situation had been reversed, I would have done the same thing for him." She admitted that friendship has always mattered more to her than the competition. "Friendship is extremely important to me—it existed before the show, during the show, and continues after the show." However, she also reflected on her own decisions with honesty, saying she still feels she could have handled certain situations better. "I won't try to justify my actions. I still feel that I could have handled things differently. In that moment—caught up in anger and overwhelming emotions—I didn't even realize what I was doing or saying." Looking back, Shivangi believes she was simply trying to fight fairly but perhaps that wasn't necessary. "I think I was just trying to put up a fair fight... because it was him, and I could have just stepped aside." Despite everything, she showered praise on Harshad, calling him one of the finest friends she has ever had. "I have a lot of respect for Harshad for what he has done for me, and I am truly grateful to him. He is genuinely a very good friend; everyone should have a friend like Harshad."
Shivangi also addressed another controversy after fellow contestant Dheeraj claimed Harshad often requested housemates to save Shivangi over himself, while Shivangi allegedly never made similar appeals. Denying the narrative, she revealed that she personally campaigned to save Harshad whenever possible. "I think Harshad has clarified this too," she said before explaining that every contestant had their own strategy inside the game. "Everyone has their own mind. Everyone has their own game strategy." She then recalled the elimination episode and insisted she approached several contestants requesting them to vote for Harshad. "When the time came for his elimination... I personally told them, 'I want you to save him.' If it comes to that, please vote for him." Shivangi said she spoke to Ram, Dheeraj, Akanksha and others, adding that while she could explain why they should save Harshad, she couldn't force anyone's decision.
Another relationship that generated plenty of discussion was Shivangi's conflict with Shilpa Chand. While Shivangi maintained that the bitterness remained confined to the game, she admitted she wasn't impressed with Shilpa's gameplay. "The game was just a game; it stayed within the game. The game is over now. We've returned to our own lives." Speaking about Shilpa's strategy, Shivangi remarked, "Regarding her gameplay, I didn't like it. The things she said... they weren't very pleasant to say or hear." At the same time, she acknowledged why many viewers connected with Shilpa. "Overall, I think she was very entertaining on the show. She did exactly what she felt like doing, and I think a lot of people really liked her game." Shivangi ended the discussion by making it clear that there is no personal grudge. "Personally, I didn't like her gameplay. That's all I'd like to say; otherwise, everything is great."
Finally, Shivangi responded to one of the most viral theories from Lock Upp Season 2 involving host Riteish Deshmukh and the much-discussed room challenge featuring Harshad. Many viewers believed Shivangi's actions were part of a calculated strategy. Rejecting the speculation, she explained that her gesture towards Riteish was simply out of respect. "I felt that no one could leave the room until Sir gave the word." Shivangi observed that every contestant greeted Riteish before exiting, which prompted her to do the same. "I noticed that everyone leaving was greeting him before they walked out... So, I felt I should probably do the same. That's why I went over to greet him and shake his hand. We even shared a hug." Dismissing fan theories about mind games, she added, "I didn't do it based on any calculated thought—it wasn't about reverse psychology or anything like that. I just did it because everyone else was doing it." With her candid explanations on friendships, rivalries and gameplay, Shivangi Joshi has now offered fans a clearer perspective on several of Lock Upp Season 2's most debated moments.