Bollywood celebrity Mouni Roy has traded the television screen for the restaurant floor with her new venture, ‘Badmaash’. The modern Indian dining spot, co-owned with her husband's hospitality group, is designed to be an immersive experience, blending lush, tropical decor with a sassy, progressive Indian menu. However, the online buzz isn't about the décor or the star sightings—it’s about the staggering prices that have sparked a major debate among foodies and fans.

The Price Tag Shock: Street Food at Luxury Rates

A peek at the menu of 'Badmaash' reveals a bold pricing strategy that has left many social media users and potential diners raising an eyebrow. Dishes that are typically considered affordable, humble Indian classics have been elevated to fine-dining cost levels.

Key examples that have gone viral and triggered the #PriceCheck trend include:

• Tandoori Roti: Priced at around ₹100 to ₹105 for a single piece.

• Bhel (Avocado Bhel): A creative twist on the popular street snack costs approximately ₹400.

• Gulab Jamun or Shahi Tukda: A single serving of these classic Indian desserts rings in at about ₹410.

• Kanda Bhajiya (Onion Fritters): Priced at roughly ₹355.

For many, these prices for basic staples are difficult to justify, leading to questions about whether the high cost is truly reflective of the culinary quality or simply the "celebrity tax" of a luxury dining experience.

Decoding the 'Badmaash' Experience

To understand the price point, one must look beyond the dish itself and consider the immersive atmosphere and concept of 'Badmaash'. This is not positioned as a casual eatery; it's designed as a high-end, contemporary destination.

• The Ambiance: The restaurant boasts a lush, tropical, and heavily Bollywood-themed décor. With intricate lighting, vibrant colors, and an abundance of green foliage, it aims to transport the diner to a lavish, escapist space. The total experience—the music, the service, the décor, and the chance of spotting a celebrity—is what guests are paying a premium for.

• Progressive Indian Cuisine: The menu focuses on fusion and progressive Indian cuisine, meaning the dishes are often reinterpretations of classics using high-end ingredients, modern culinary techniques, and sophisticated plating. For instance, the Avocado Bhel is a deliberate fusion item, not the jhalmuri you’d get from a street vendor.

In the world of hospitality, pricing often reflects the sum of the experience: prime location rent, high-quality interiors, chef expertise, and attentive service, which collectively contribute to the ₹2,600 average price for two at one of its Mumbai outlets.

The Verdict: Worth the 'Badmaashi' on the Wallet?

The public’s mixed reaction highlights the ongoing tension between traditional Indian food and the rise of high-end, star-owned restaurants.

While critics argue that simple ingredients shouldn't carry such a steep price, proponents suggest that the cost is fair for the 'vibe' and the unique, glamorous dining adventure Mouni Roy and her partners have curated. In metropolitan hubs, the price for a Gulab Jamun is often less about the dessert and more about the real estate, the service, and the privilege of stepping into a meticulously designed Bollywood-adjacent space.

Ultimately, whether 'Badmaash' is "too expensive" is subjective. It’s a transaction not just for food, but for a slice of the luxury lifestyle and an Instagram-worthy moment—a choice that discerning diners must make for themselves.
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