Television actor says talent matters more than social media popularity, as he gears up for ‘Lock Upp’ Season 2
Reality television has witnessed a major shift in recent years, with influencers and content creators increasingly becoming audience favourites. From dating shows to competition-based formats, social media stars have often managed to grab more attention than traditional television celebrities, sparking a debate about whether actors are losing their edge.
As Dheeraj Dhoopar gears up for the second season of Lock Upp, the television star shared his thoughts on the changing landscape and made it clear that he sees influencers as competitors, not threats.
The upcoming reality show, hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, features a mix of television personalities and social media stars, including Shivangi Joshi, Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja, Yogesh Rawat, Riyaz Ali and Shreya Kalra.
Dheeraj Dhoopar on competing with influencers
Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18 Showsha, Dheeraj addressed the growing presence of influencers in reality TV and whether it creates additional pressure for actors.
“It would not be correct on my part to comment on it until I experience it. And personally speaking, it doesn’t matter what field a person belongs to; what matters is how well I gel with someone personally. If I gel with someone who is from another field personally, I will definitely express it on the show or even after that,” Dheeraj said.
He further stressed that every contestant has earned a spot on the show, regardless of their background.
“I have nothing to be insecure about; we have all been picked from our respective fields. Everyone entering the show is equally capable. But having said that, I am here for the win, so I’d rather concentrate on giving my best,” he added.
Talent vs social media popularity
One of the biggest arguments in favour of influencers is their massive online following, which often translates into strong viewer support. However, Dheeraj believes popularity alone cannot guarantee long-term success.
“It is the time of social media and yes talent cannot be ignored either. It is a world of changing trends. You can be trending for a short time but you will sustain only with your talent.”
His comments highlight a growing sentiment in the entertainment industry that while social media visibility can open doors, talent remains essential for lasting relevance.
Why ‘Lock Upp 2’ felt different
After establishing himself through popular television shows such as Kundali Bhagya, Sasural Simar Ka and Sherdil Shergill, Dheeraj felt it was time to step outside his comfort zone.
“After doing multiple shows on TV and exploring the OTT genre with a series, I wanted to try something different. Reality space is something that I haven’t explored at all and Lock Upp is a show that sounded perfect for me. Also, one of the major factors to say yes to it is the Netflix and Ekta Kapoor combo, it was too good to pass.”
With influencers continuing to reshape reality television, the battle between established TV stars and social media personalities in Lock Upp 2 is expected to be an interesting one. For Dheeraj, however, the focus remains firmly on performance rather than popularity.
