Akanksha Chaudhary: Splitsvilla 16 allegations hit my mental health
Synopsis
Akanksha Chaudhary is walking into Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa carrying unfinished business — allegations from Splitsvilla 16 that she says were never publicly cleared and took a toll on her mental health. Her pledge to show 'Akanksha 3.0' makes her one of the most compelling entrants in the Netflix show's second edition.
Key Takeaways
Akanksha Chaudhary says allegations from Splitsvilla 16 damaged her mental health and were never publicly addressed.
She joins Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa on Netflix , which began streaming on 27 June .
The controversy stemmed from claims that co-contestant Yogesh cheated on his former girlfriend Ruru with Akanksha during the show.
Akanksha says she will enter with a 'blank mind' and no over-preparation, calling it her 'Akanksha 3.0' avatar.
Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan serve as Jailers; other contestants include Ram Kapoor , Pamala Serena , and Shivangi Joshi .
The first edition in 2022 , hosted by Kangana Ranaut , was won by Munawar Faruqui .
Akanksha Chaudhary, a contestant on Netflix's new reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, has opened up about the lasting psychological toll of allegations she faced during her stint on Splitsvilla 16, saying the experience damaged her mental health and left questions she never got to answer publicly. The show began streaming on Netflix from 27 June.
What Akanksha Said
Speaking ahead of her entry into the new season, Akanksha addressed the controversy that followed her on Splitsvilla 16 — a youth-based reality show hosted by Sunny Leone — where she and co-contestant Yogesh began a relationship. The situation grew complicated when Yogesh's former girlfriend, known as Ruru, entered the show. The Splitsvilla finale became contentious, with several viewers and participants alleging that Yogesh had cheated on Ruru with Akanksha.
'I feel in my last reality show, there were many allegations that were not cleared. My fans are waiting for answers and I feel Lock Upp: Sach ya Sazaa will give me that space to do that. These allegations affected my mental health,' she said.
Her Approach to Lock Upp
Akanksha says she is entering Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa with a deliberate change in mindset. She revealed that over-preparing for Splitsvilla 16 had been a mistake, and this time she intends to go in without a fixed strategy.
'My last show taught me not to over-prepare. I will show Akanksha 3.0 in this show. I know there will be a lot of madness but I know that I will enjoy it. Everyone is advising on strategy but I aim to go inside with a blank mind. This time, I am going only to WIN and come back,' she said.
The Show: Format and Cast
The second edition of Lock Upp features fourteen inmates, two jailers, and one lock-up spanning six weeks. Contestants must complete tasks to earn in-game currency needed for basic necessities — food, supplies, and privileges. Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan serve as Jailers this season. Other confirmed contestants include Ram Kapoor, Pamala Serena, and Shivangi Joshi, among others.
About the Franchise
The first edition of Lock Upp aired in 2022, hosted by Kangana Ranaut, with Karan Kundrra as Jailor. Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui was crowned the winner of that season. The format centres on contestants who carry real-world controversies into a jail-like setting, where they must perform tasks and win audience trust to survive.
With Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa now live on Netflix, Akanksha's unresolved Splitsvilla narrative sets up one of the season's most closely watched storylines.
Point of View
Which signals a shift in how reality TV participants are framing public image battles. Whether the show's format genuinely allows for that kind of resolution, or simply mines the unresolved drama for ratings, is the more uncomfortable question the franchise should answer.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Akanksha Chaudhary say Splitsvilla 16 affected her mental health?
Akanksha Chaudhary said that allegations made against her during and after Splitsvilla 16 — including claims surrounding co-contestant Yogesh's relationship with his former girlfriend Ruru — were never publicly cleared, and the fallout took a toll on her mental health. She hopes Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa will give her the platform to address those allegations.
What is Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa on Netflix?
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is the second edition of the Lock Upp reality franchise, streaming on Netflix from 27 June. It features fourteen inmates confined for six weeks, who must complete tasks to earn basic necessities, with Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan serving as Jailers.
Who are the other contestants in Lock Upp Season 2?
Confirmed contestants include Ram Kapoor, Pamala Serena, Shivangi Joshi, and Akanksha Chaudhary, among others. The full cast of fourteen inmates competes across a six-week run on Netflix.
What was the controversy on Splitsvilla 16 involving Akanksha?
During Splitsvilla 16, hosted by Sunny Leone, Akanksha Chaudhary and Yogesh formed a relationship. When Yogesh's former girlfriend Ruru entered the show, many contestants and viewers alleged that Yogesh had cheated on Ruru with Akanksha — claims Akanksha says were never properly addressed.
Who won the first season of Lock Upp and who hosted it?
The first edition of Lock Upp aired in 2022, hosted by Kangana Ranaut, with Karan Kundrra as Jailor. Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui was named the winner of that season.
