Mumbai: Standup comedian Munawar Faruqui was announced winner of Lock Upp, hosted by Kangana Ranaut, late Saturday night, taking home a trophy, Rs 20 lakh cheque and brand new car.
The finale also featured Payal Rohatgi, Anjali Arora, Azma Fallah and Shivam Sharma. Payal and Anjali were declared the first and second runners up.
A favourite all along to win the trophy, minutes before the winner’s name was announced, Kangana, however, announced that though Faruqui had won the maximum votes (18 lakh), she would take the final decision.
“I think ever since I became a finalist, I have been nervous. I think anyone sitting for their exam also feels it. However, when she said that, I was worried. I thought mamla gambhir hone wala hai (things are turning solemn). Then I realised I have worked hard earnestly with pure intention, and I should win it,” he later told indianexpress.com.
Asked about his experience working with Kangana, he told the indianexpress.com, “I think that’s the beauty of living in a democratic country. You may come from different beliefs but you can always work together. Yes, many had raised questions about me doing this show. But I knew it was a means to connect with fans, and I was successful in doing that.”
Kangana and Faruqui had a heated exchange of words initially on his political views.
On defeating Payal, he said, “I don’t think one can be too happy about defeating someone. The trophy will stay with me forever, not Payal’s defeat.”
Before entering Lock Upp, in a setback, the Karnataka government had cancelled several of Faruqui’s shows.
