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Billionaire businessman worth $4 billion faces online trolling after sharing a video of himself on a Mumbai local train; later issues a cryptic clarification addressing the backlash.
When an Indian billionaire worth nearly $4 billion shared a video celebrating the ‘spirit of Mumbai’, it drew sharp criticism from viewers.
When Indian billionaire Harsh Goenka, chairman of the RPG Group and worth nearly $4 billion, shared a video celebrating the ‘spirit of Mumbai’, it didn’t land as intended.
Instead of praise, the post triggered a wave of backlash, with viewers criticizing the tone and timing. Goenka’s cryptic follow-up attempt at clarification did little to quell the outrage.
Goenka, a fifth-generation businessman and avid social media user, recently shared a video on X capturing the daily hustle of Mumbai’s local trains. The clip shows a crowd of women rushing to board a train even before it fully stops at the platform — all in a bid to grab a coveted seat. He captioned it, “Daily life in Mumbai… what we call the ‘spirit of Mumbai’!
A businessman with a net worth of $4 billion faced online trolling after posting a video of himself traveling in a Mumbai local train. Following the backlash, he shared a cryptic message as a form of clarification, sparking further discussion.
Harsh Goenka Faces Backlash
The Mumbai local train network, often referred to as the city’s lifeline, transports millions of commuters daily. Trains are frequently overcrowded, and railway platforms regularly see throngs of passengers hurrying to board.
Despite being a lifeline for millions, Mumbai’s local train network has often faced criticism for severe overcrowding, discomfort, and, in some instances, hazardous travel conditions. Just last year, the Bombay High Court reprimanded the Railways for the poor and unsafe environment in which commuters are forced to travel.
In response, many criticized Goenka for what they perceived as an overly romantic portrayal of the Mumbai local trains and the so-called “spirit of Mumbai.”
“It’s about survival, not spirit,” one user on X remarked. “Even expecting basic dignity in public transport is a daily struggle in this country.
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Are you mocking them?” someone else chimed in. “Why don’t you try living like that for just a week? People like you—who actually have the resources to make real change—yet choose to romanticize suffering for show, are the real parasites in this society.
The backlash was intense. “This is nothing more than glorifying the struggles of everyday Mumbaikars—pure poverty porn,” one commenter criticized. Another remarked, “I hope all the wealthy elites, politicians, and celebrities genuinely feel this way—and actually take the local train in Mumbai at least once a month to truly honor the city’s spirit.
No, Mr. Harsh. This isn’t the Spirit of Mumbai; it’s the Majboori of Mumbaikar,” commented an X user named Samir Shah.
The billionaire entrepreneur replied, clarifying that his post was meant to be sarcastic. “Understand sarcasm,” Goenka wrote.
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