A Russian influencer’s reaction to the price of pani puri in Mumbai has taken another turn after she discovered that the popular Indian street snack can cost significantly more at Dubai International Airport.
Model, actress and reality TV personality Irina Rudakova recently revisited her earlier complaint about paying ₹60 for a plate of pani puri at Mumbai’s Lokhandwala Market. After spotting the snack priced at 42 UAE dirhams, approximately ₹1,096, at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1, she admitted that she may have been too quick to question the Mumbai price.
The humorous comparison has sparked plenty of reactions online, with Indian social media users jokingly inviting her to try pani puri in different cities.
Irina Rudakova says she was wrong about ₹60 pani puri
In her latest video, Irina acknowledged that her earlier reaction to Mumbai’s pani puri price had been misplaced.
“Guys, I have news for you. I was wrong about the 60-rupee pani puri in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala market,” she said.
The influencer added that she had previously complained about the price several times.
“I was complaining about this a lot,” she recalled.
Her opinion changed after she encountered pani puri at Dubai International Airport.
According to Irina, the snack was being sold for 42 dirhams, which she calculated to be approximately ₹1,096.
“Here pani puri costs 42 dirhams, which is Rs 1,096. Seeing this, I am now returning to Mumbai,” she joked.
The dramatic difference between the two prices became the central point of her latest video.
From ₹60 in Mumbai to around ₹1,096 in Dubai
Pani puri is one of India’s most popular street foods and is known by different names across the country, including golgappa and phuchka.
Prices can vary considerably depending on the city, neighbourhood, vendor and setting. A street-side serving is generally associated with affordable food, while versions sold at premium restaurants, malls, airports or international locations can be considerably more expensive.
Irina’s comparison highlighted that difference in a humorous way.
Her ₹60 Mumbai experience had initially surprised her. But after seeing the airport price in Dubai, the Mumbai serving suddenly appeared considerably more affordable to her.
The comparison also resonated with social media users familiar with the wide range of pani puri prices across India.
Social media users invite Irina to try pani puri elsewhere
The video quickly attracted humorous responses from viewers.
Some users compared the Dubai price with what they pay in their own cities, while others joked that Irina should simply return to India for her pani puri fix.
One user wrote, “Give her Aadhaar card,” referring to Irina’s apparent appreciation for the Indian snack.
Another commented about prices in Kolkata, joking that even a relatively low price can sometimes feel expensive to local customers.
A user from Thane offered another option, writing that Irina could visit the city and be treated to pani puri for ₹30.
Another viewer invited her to Delhi, claiming that four pieces could be purchased for ₹10.
The comments reflected the regional differences in pricing while also turning Irina’s experience into a light-hearted discussion about India’s street-food culture.
Irina’s original Mumbai pani puri reaction
The latest video comes roughly three weeks after Irina’s original clip, which was posted on July 24, according to the supplied information.
In that video, she visited Lokhandwala Market in Mumbai and asked a street vendor about the price of pani puri.
When the vendor told her that a plate cost ₹60, Irina reacted with visible surprise.
“60 rupees, 60 rupees,” she repeated while joking about the price.
Her reaction subsequently became part of the online conversation surrounding the cost of street food in Mumbai.
The follow-up Dubai video has now effectively turned that earlier complaint into a punchline, with Irina admitting that she had reconsidered her assessment after encountering a much higher price abroad.
Why pani puri remains a cultural favourite
Beyond the viral reaction, the story also highlights the place pani puri holds in India’s food culture.
The snack is known as pani puri in several parts of India, while regional names include golgappa and phuchka. Ingredients and preparation methods also differ between regions.
A typical serving consists of crisp puris filled with ingredients such as potato, chickpeas or other fillings and served with spiced flavoured water. Variations can include sweet chutneys, herbs, spices and regional ingredients.
Its popularity is partly tied to its accessibility and the social experience of eating it from street vendors.
That is why the idea of paying more than ₹1,000 for the snack at an airport naturally became an amusing contrast for Indian viewers accustomed to much lower street-side prices.
Irina’s pani puri story turns into a Mumbai-versus-Dubai joke
Irina’s two videos have created an unexpected storyline: what began as a complaint about a ₹60 plate in Mumbai has ended with the influencer effectively defending the Indian price after encountering Dubai’s much higher rate.
Her line about “returning to Mumbai” added another layer of humour to the comparison.
While the prices mentioned in the videos apply to specific locations and should not be taken as representative of every pani puri seller in Mumbai or Dubai, the comparison has given social media users plenty to discuss.
For Irina, the conclusion appears straightforward: after seeing pani puri priced at around ₹1,096 in Dubai, the ₹60 Mumbai plate no longer seems quite so expensive.
