Kangana Ranaut’s Rs 50 Comment Sparks Restaurant Debate

Actor and newly elected Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut once again found herself at the center of a controversy. This time it was not about her films or her fiery political speeches, but about something she said regarding her restaurant business.

When a social media user raised concerns about rising inflation and how restaurants are struggling with fewer customers, Kangana responded with a personal experience that left many people shocked. She said, “Yesterday, my restaurant made only Rs 50 in sales.” The remark, instead of getting sympathy, was widely criticized for sounding tone-deaf to the everyday struggles of common people.

Kangana’s response came during an online discussion about economic challenges faced by small businesses. Many restaurant owners across the country have been sharing their struggles — from rising vegetable and grain prices to high rents and staff salaries. Customers, too, have been feeling the pinch as eating out has become costlier.

But her reply about making only Rs 50 in sales was received as an exaggeration or as a poor attempt at showing solidarity. Critics felt that a celebrity business owner comparing herself with struggling street vendors or small restaurants was unfair, as her backing and resources are far greater than that of an ordinary entrepreneur.

While Kangana’s example sounded strange, the fact remains that many restaurants across India are struggling. Reports by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) earlier this year showed that nearly 35% of small restaurants have shut down since the pandemic. Rising costs of milk, flour, oil, and gas have made it difficult for kitchens to stay profitable.

At the same time, eating habits have changed. People, especially in cities, are spending more on delivery through apps like Zomato and Swiggy instead of dining in. For smaller restaurants, this means they pay high commissions to these apps and still do not earn enough. Many consumers are also cutting down on outside food because of tighter household budgets.

So, while Kangana’s Rs 50 figure may not be realistic for a celebrity-owned restaurant, the broader issue of low sales in the food industry is very real.

It is also important to note why people reacted strongly. When a star like Kangana says she made only Rs 50, it feels disconnected from reality. A celebrity restaurant often functions as a brand extension, more for prestige than survival. Even if such a restaurant makes losses, owners usually have multiple sources of income.

But for lakhs of small-dhaba owners or family-run eateries, daily sales are their lifeline. A day of poor income means going back home with little or no food or being unable to pay basic bills. That is why Kangana’s remark seemed insensitive to many.

Rising prices are a major issue that households are worried about today. According to a 2025 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) consumer confidence survey, nearly 70% of people feel their cost of living has gone up sharply in the past year. From tomatoes costing over Rs 200 a kilo during shortages to high oil and gas cylinder rates, almost every family is stretching its budget.

For many common citizens, the remark by Kangana came across as lacking empathy because she has access to privilege that protects her from these struggles.

Public figures are often judged not only for what they say but how they say it. Even if Kangana wanted to highlight the difficult times for the restaurant industry, her example sounded exaggerated and out of touch.

Experts say that leaders and celebrities need to communicate with sensitivity. A simple acknowledgement that "restaurants everywhere are facing challenges, including mine" would have brought people together instead of sparking criticism.

Many restaurant owners have taken different approaches to survive. Some are experimenting with limited menus to reduce wastage. Others are focusing more on delivery-friendly packaging or tying up with office canteens. A few state governments have also announced relief measures such as cutting electricity tariffs for eateries and providing loans under MSME schemes.

Digital promotions, discounted meal combos, and loyalty programs are also being used by restaurants to bring back customers. People are preferring local, affordable eateries rather than high-priced dining.

The entire episode is a reminder of two important points. First, the food business is facing a slowdown, and small businesses genuinely need support to survive. Second, any public figure commenting on such sensitive issues must choose their words carefully, because their privilege makes them less relatable to the common man.

Kangana’s remark has once again shown how fragile the line between expressing solidarity and sounding tone-deaf can be. Even if she wanted to highlight the struggles of restaurants, her way of putting it has made the issue about herself rather than the actual challenges people are facing.

In the end, the debate should ideally not be about what a celebrity said, but about what solutions can be worked out so that eateries, both small and big, can survive and continue giving people the joy of dining out.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies