Going bananas

It started off as an ode to the interiors of a plush hotel suite in Chandigarh, but took a shocking turn after the maker of the video — Bollywood actor Rahul Bose — decided to reveal an alarming fact about a pair of bananas, that set him back by Rs 442. Overcome by disbelief at having been fleeced in such a fashion, the actor immediately took to Twitter to share his very own tell-all video. The video sheds light on crucial details, like why were the bananas ordered in the first place (because the actor was working out and probably realised he needed more potassium) and also provided proof of the transgression, by zooming in on the invoice.

To amplify his pain and plight, Rahul threw in a few hashtags for good measure, like #goingbananas, #howtogetfitandgobroke and #potassiumforkings.

Obviously, the video became more talked about on social media than the Chandrayaan-2 launch. However, some Twitterati quickly became bitterati, and found various faults with the actor and his video. “In fact, after gym, you should have walked to buffet breakfast to get your fruit platter for free (assuming you have breakfast included in your room). But if you lazily ask them to bring the fruit in your room, they will charge you full,” explained a no-nonsense user, while another wrote, “Rahul ji, if you can’t afford five stars, don’t stay in them.” Others chided the actor for his lack of attention to detail; “Bill clearly mentions Fruit Platter; they charged you for that. You asked for fruits (bananas) but they didn’t have material code for bananas to invoice hence invoiced in the name of Fruit Platter, which costs like this only. Why make a hue and cry out of this?” asked an irate user.

But even among the thorns, there is a rose or two. “Why people are suggesting him ‘you should have this you should have that’. Instead, question that hotel that how can 2 bananas cost Rs 442 when in KG or dozen, it doesn’t cross Rs 70 or Rs 80 or max Rs 100,” said a user in the actor’s defence.

24-year-old travel enthusiast Abanti Chattopadhyay, narrates her experience. She says the biggest guzzler of funds, “The Mini fridge in hotels is such a scam. On the price scale, it may not seem much, but I was charged nearly five times of the MRP for a basic packet of chips. I selected chips because it would be cheap and I was famished. And, I ended up paying 50 rupees for a 10 rupee packet of Lays,” she bellows.

Harman Chawla, 34, talks about his experience in a hotel in Lavasa. He was told that the bowl of fruits in the hotel room “weren’t free”. “Then why keep those fruits there in the first place, is my question,” says Harman.