A Dubai-based Indian travel vlogger and radio presenter has gone viral for his brutally honest rant about the rising cost of living in India. What was meant to be a lighthearted observation quickly struck a chord with millions of people both Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and locals who admitted they too were shocked by how expensive everyday life has become in the country.
Parikshit Balochi, who is popular on social media for his witty travel updates and slice-of-life content, posted a video on Instagram that has now crossed half a million views. In the clip, Balochi humorously reflects on how the India he once left behind has transformed into a place where even a simple cup of chai can cost a small fortune.
“I Was Not Supposed to Feel Gareeb in India”
In his rant, Balochi confesses that every time he returned home from Dubai, he expected to feel like a wealthy man. After all, he earned in dirhams a currency that, for decades, has been much stronger than the Indian rupee. The NRI dream was simple: fly home, convert your foreign currency, and live like royalty for a few weeks.
But that dream seems to be fading fast.
“I am an NRI. I was not supposed to feel gareeb (poor) in India,” Balochi says in his viral Instagram video. His exaggerated expressions, combined with genuine frustration, made the rant both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The tipping point came when he ordered a cup of tea at a Mumbai hotel and was billed ₹1,000. “₹1,000 is what we used to put on the stock market when I left India. What is happening?” he exclaimed, leaving viewers both amused and alarmed.
The Deal That No Longer Exists
Balochi then lays down what he calls the “old deal” between NRIs and India. The deal was simple:
“Doston, we had a deal. The deal was I come to India, everything feels cheap. Main paisa udaaun (I spend lavishly) because main dirhams aur dollars mein kama raha hun (I earn in dirhams and dollars). Dirhams ko rupees mein convert karke kaise shock lag sakta hai yaar? It was supposed to be the other way around.”
In other words, NRIs once expected to enjoy a favorable currency exchange rate that made luxuries like fine dining, hotel stays, and shopping sprees easily affordable. But with India’s rapidly growing economy and urban inflation, the tables seem to have turned.
From Dirhams to Rupees: The Shocking Math
To put things in perspective, one UAE dirham equals around ₹23.83. For someone earning in dirhams, converting money to rupees should technically feel rewarding. But Balochi argues that this advantage is shrinking, thanks to skyrocketing prices in India’s metros.
In his rant, he jokes, “I didn’t leave India so that I could return and sort prices from low to high on Zomato. I was supposed to come here and flex. Instead, I have spent so much that I’m looking for a flexible payment plan.”
His punchlines may be comic, but beneath the humor lies a reality that resonates with many: India is no longer the budget-friendly haven that NRIs once romanticized.
“Kitna Paisa Hai Tum Logon Ke Paas?”
Perhaps the most viral part of Balochi’s video comes when he turns his rant into a direct question for locals. “Yahan pe logon se puch raha hun, kitna paisa hai bhai tumhare paas (I’m asking people here how much money they actually have),” he says with a mix of disbelief and mock admiration.
The statement reflects a growing curiosity: if NRIs earning in foreign currencies are shocked at the prices, how are Indian residents managing their day-to-day expenses?
The NRI Illusion
For decades, NRIs returning to India would relish the feeling of economic superiority. With dollars, pounds, or dirhams in hand, they could afford fancy restaurants, branded clothes, and even luxury stays at a fraction of what it would cost them abroad. It was this experience of being “temporarily rich” that made trips back home special.
But Balochi’s rant suggests that this illusion may be fading. Inflation, rapid urban development, and the rise of premium consumer culture have pushed prices higher across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. From restaurant meals to basic groceries, the “India is cheap” narrative no longer holds true at least not in urban India.
Netizens React
Unsurprisingly, Balochi’s video sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Some laughed at his delivery, while others echoed his concerns.
“Finally someone said it. Prices are skyrocketing in India, that too with dropping quality,” one Instagram user wrote.
Another commented, “Hahahaha I feel this every time I visit India. My mind is blown at how everything is so expensive. Sure, I can afford it because I earn in dollars, but what amazes me is how locals manage without earning in foreign currency.”
A third admitted, “I thought I was the only one who felt gareeb after coming to India.”
These comments highlight a shared sentiment: what used to be a lighthearted joke among NRIs is now a widespread reality.
The Larger Picture
India’s growing economy has given rise to a new middle class with higher spending power, especially in big cities. At the same time, inflation has driven up the cost of living. From hotel stays to a simple cup of chai, urban India is rapidly becoming more expensive, sometimes rivaling Western cities in certain categories.
For NRIs who visit with the mindset of enjoying “cheap luxuries,” this change can be jarring. But for locals, it reflects the reality of adapting to a new India one where salaries may not always keep pace with rising prices.
Humor with a Hint of Truth
While Parikshit Balochi’s rant is comedic, it resonates because it touches on a universal experience. Inflation, changing lifestyles, and the global economic shift mean that many things are more expensive now than they were a decade ago. For NRIs, the nostalgia of “cheap India” may soon be a relic of the past.
Still, his delivery ensures that the message doesn’t feel bitter. Instead, it comes across as an entertaining mix of stand-up comedy and social commentary. By exaggerating his frustration, he sparks laughter and reflection at the same time.
A Conversation Worth Having
Balochi’s viral moment has opened up a wider conversation about affordability, the cost of living, and the evolving economic landscape in India. While NRIs may feel the pinch more starkly because of their expectations, locals too are navigating the same reality every day.
And perhaps that’s why his rant resonated so deeply: it wasn’t just about one man’s ₹1,000 chai. It was about an India that is changing rapidly, unapologetically, and sometimes uncomfortably.
Parikshit Balochi may have intended his Instagram post as a humorous rant, but it has sparked genuine debate about India’s affordability, the NRI experience, and the rising cost of living in urban centers. His now-iconic line — “Kitna paisa hai tum logon ke paas?” has become a meme, a catchphrase, and a reflection of the times.
Whether you’re an NRI shocked at the bill for a cup of chai or a local trying to stretch your monthly salary, the truth remains the same: India is no longer the land of cheap thrills. And for many, that realization is just as sobering as it is expensive.
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