MUMBAI: A light-hearted pani puri price comparison has taken a new turn after Russian model and television personality Irina Rudakova revisited her earlier reaction to a ₹60 plate in Mumbai after discovering the popular Indian snack being sold for 42 UAE dirhams, or roughly ₹1,096, at Dubai International Airport.
Rudakova shared the latest update on Instagram, jokingly admitting that she had been too quick to complain about the Mumbai price.
The comparison has since attracted attention online, with users amused by the huge difference between the price of pani puri at a Mumbai market and the amount charged for the snack at an international airport in Dubai.
‘I was wrong’ — Rudakova compares Mumbai and Dubai prices
In her latest video, recorded at Terminal 1 in Dubai, Rudakova recalled her earlier reaction to the ₹60 price at Mumbai’s Lokhandwala Market.
“Friends, I was wrong about the 60 rupees pani puri in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala Market. I complained a lot about it. Now I am at Terminal 1 in Dubai. Here pani puri costs 42 dirhams, which is Rs 1,096. Seeing this, I am now returning to Mumbai,” she said.
Her remark was delivered in a playful tone, turning what began as a complaint about Mumbai street food into a humorous comparison.
The price difference is particularly striking because pani puri is widely associated with affordable street food in India, while airport food can carry a substantially higher price because of the location and operating environment.
The original ₹60 pani puri video
Rudakova first attracted attention with a video posted on July 24, when she visited Lokhandwala Market in Mumbai.
She approached a street food vendor and asked how much a plate of pani puri cost. After being told the price was ₹60, she repeatedly reacted with surprise, saying, “60 rupees, 60 rupees.”
Her reaction quickly became a talking point on social media, with viewers debating whether ₹60 was expensive for pani puri and comparing prices at different Mumbai food stalls.
What followed, however, changed the tone of the story.
She eventually tried the Mumbai snack
Rudakova later posted another video on August 1, in which she tasted pani puri herself.
The experience appeared to soften her earlier reaction. In the accompanying caption, she indicated that she actually enjoyed the snack.
Her latest Dubai video now adds another layer to the story, with Rudakova effectively acknowledging that the ₹60 Mumbai price seemed far less surprising after seeing a ₹1,096 version elsewhere.
Why the Dubai comparison caught attention
The viral appeal of the comparison lies in the difference between the two settings.
In Mumbai, pani puri is commonly sold at local markets and street stalls, where it is part of everyday food culture. At an international airport, however, food and beverage prices can be considerably higher than those found in neighbourhood markets.
That means the Dubai price should not necessarily be treated as an indication of the typical cost of pani puri across the city.
Still, the comparison gave social media users plenty to discuss, particularly because Rudakova herself had previously questioned the ₹60 price in Mumbai.
Her latest post effectively turned the episode into a self-correction rather than a serious criticism of Mumbai’s street-food culture.
Who is Irina Rudakova?
Irina Rudakova is a Russian model, actress and dancer who moved to India at the age of 20 to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry.
She gained recognition after winning the second season of Discovery Channel’s adventure reality show ** Reality Queens of the Jungle **, reportedly receiving a ₹15 lakh cash prize.
In 2024, Rudakova became the first foreign contestant to participate in Bigg Boss Marathi, appearing in the show’s fifth season.
Her appearance on the Marathi reality show introduced her to a wider regional television audience. Her attempts to speak Marathi and her lively personality also became notable aspects of her stint on the programme.
From Mumbai street food to a Dubai airport price tag
What began with Rudakova questioning a ₹60 plate of pani puri has now evolved into an amusing social media story about food prices.
Her latest video does not simply compare two prices; it also shows how quickly a familiar food experience can look different when viewed in another setting.
After encountering pani puri priced at around ₹1,096 in Dubai, Rudakova’s verdict on Mumbai’s ₹60 serving was clear: perhaps she had been a little too harsh the first time.
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