Riteish Deshmukh borrows Ravi Kishan's 'desh ki duty' to bid farewell to Apoorva
Synopsis
Riteish Deshmukh turned Apoorva Mukhija's Lock Upp exit into a viral moment by recycling Ravi Kishan's infamous 'desh ki duty' line — the same phrase Kishan used to make a dramatic mid-season exit from Alliance before being spotted promoting his film. The meta-joke landed perfectly, blending two rival reality show storylines into one punchline.
Key Takeaways
Riteish Deshmukh used Ravi Kishan's viral phrase 'desh ki duty' to bid farewell to contestant Apoorva Mukhija on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa .
Deshmukh called Apoorva the 'perfect agent of chaos' before delivering the punchline.
The original phrase was coined by Ravi Kishan during his dramatic exit from the reality show Alliance .
Kishan's line went viral on Instagram after he was seen promoting a film shortly after citing 'national duty' as his reason for leaving.
The current season of Lock Upp is co-hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh and streams on Netflix .
The first edition of Lock Upp ( 2022 ) was won by Munawar Faruqui and hosted by Kangana Ranaut .
Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh drew laughter on the Netflix reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa when he gave contestant Apoorva Mukhija a witty send-off by repurposing Ravi Kishan's now-famous catchphrase 'desh ki duty' — a line that first went viral from the rival reality show Alliance. The moment quickly caught fire among fans of both shows.
The Viral Send-Off
In the latest episode, Deshmukh praised Apoorva for her role as the 'perfect agent of chaos' before delivering the punchline. 'Apoorva, well done. Apne apna role bakhoobi nibhaaya, uske liye bahut bahut shukriya. You were the perfect agent of chaos,' he said.
He then added: 'Aapko desh ki duty ke liye toh nahi jaana hai lekin jo duty aapko Deshmukh ne di hai woh ab khatam hoti hai' — loosely meaning that while she wasn't being called away for national duty, the mission assigned to her by Deshmukh had officially concluded.
Where the Phrase Comes From
The original line belongs to politician-actor Ravi Kishan, who made a dramatic mid-season exit from the reality show Alliance, citing an urgent call of national duty. His exit statement — 'System ko message aaya hai ki aapko turant aapke desh ki duty par bulaya ja raha hai. Isiliye aapko is waqt headquarters ko alvida bolna hoga' — became a viral meme almost immediately.
The phrase gained further traction on Instagram after Kishan was spotted promoting his film shortly after the exit, making the 'national duty' explanation a subject of widespread online humour.
About Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa
The show is co-hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh and streams on Netflix. The current season features contestants including Pamala Serena, Akanksha Chamola, Shilpa Shinde, Akanksha Chaudhary, Ram Kapoor, Yogesh Rawat, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, and Varun Yadav (also known as Laila), among others.
Lock Upp's Legacy
The first edition of Lock Upp aired in 2022 and was hosted by Kangana Ranaut, with Karan Kundrra serving as Jailor throughout the season. Munawar Faruqui was crowned the winner of that edition. The franchise's return on Netflix has reignited interest in the format, and moments like Deshmukh's 'desh ki duty' quip suggest the new season is finding its own viral rhythm.
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NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'desh ki duty' catchphrase and why is it viral?
'Desh ki duty' is a phrase used by politician-actor Ravi Kishan when he dramatically exited the reality show Alliance, claiming he was being called away for urgent national duty. The line went viral on Instagram after Kishan was subsequently seen promoting his film, making the explanation widely mocked and memed.
How did Riteish Deshmukh use the phrase on Lock Upp?
Riteish Deshmukh used it to humorously bid farewell to contestant Apoorva Mukhija, saying she didn't need to leave for national duty but that the duty assigned to her by 'Deshmukh' had officially ended. The moment drew laughter and quickly circulated online.
Who is Apoorva Mukhija on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa?
Apoorva Mukhija was a contestant on the Netflix reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, referred to as an 'agent' on the show. Riteish Deshmukh called her the 'perfect agent of chaos' during her elimination.
Who hosts Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa on Netflix?
The show is co-hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh and streams on Netflix.
Who won the first season of Lock Upp?
Munawar Faruqui won the first edition of Lock Upp in 2022, which was hosted by Kangana Ranaut with Karan Kundrra as Jailor.
