Speaking to fellow inmates Shilpa Shinde and Shreya Kalra following the show's "Visitors Day" segment, Chamola referred to Khanna as a "stranger" and stated she would have preferred seeing her family—or even her pet dog—over her ex.
The "Visitors Day" Fallout: "Tera Strangers Aaya"
The controversy erupted after contestant Dheeraj Dhoopar enjoyed an emotional reunion with his wife Vinny Arora inside the jail. While discussing the visits, fellow contestant Shreya Kalra mentioned missing her partner.
The "Stranger" Remark: Responding to Kalra, Chamola remarked: "Mere to ex tha. Has to raha hai Varun, bol raha hai 'Tera family kaha aaya, tera to stranger aaya.' Usse jyada mujhe family mein se koi aata to better tha."
Preferring Her Pet Dog: Chamola went on to express her disappointment at not receiving emotional comfort during the interaction:
"I wanted my comfort, yaaro. Basically more for me than for him... I would have preferred agar meri mummy ya papa koi aate, ya mera kutta hi aa jata."
Trolling & Online Backlash: The candid comments quickly drew backlash from viewers and social media users, who criticized Chamola for being ungrateful and dismissive toward Khanna's gesture.
Background: High-Profile Revelations Inside 'Lock Upp 2'
Chamola's relationship with the Bigg Boss winner has been a central talking point since the premiere of Lock Upp 2:
Divorce Announcement: On premiere night, Chamola shocked the television industry by revealing that she and Gaurav Khanna had been living separately for 18 months and were finalizing a mutual divorce after nearly ten years of marriage.
Personal Revelations: Across subsequent episodes, Chamola opened up about her sexuality, sharing that she identifies as bisexual—a detail she noted Khanna graciously accepted during their marriage. She later added that navigating her divorce made her feel asexual during this phase of her life.
Differences: She also cited fundamental life differences, including choices around having children, as contributing factors to their separation.
Trade Verdict:
Akanksha Chamola’s raw, filter-free commentary continues to drive high engagement for Lock Upp 2 on Netflix. While her frank statements regarding Gaurav Khanna have sparked intense debates online, her willingness to air personal vulnerabilities on camera remains one of the season's primary narrative engines.
