Aussie influencer's Mumbai mall video shocks viewers after he says THIS about India– Watch now

A video by Australian content creator Jeremy Franco has gone viral online, sparking fresh discussion about the visible contrast between wealth and poverty in Indian cities. Shot at Mumbai’s Phoenix Palladium Mall– a destination known for luxury brands– the clip captures Franco sharing his thoughts on the economic disparity seen just outside the mall's doors.“India is poor and rich at the same time”In the video, Franco walks through the upscale mall located in Lower Parel, stopping by international labels like Gucci and Dior. While filming, he remarks: “One thing about India is that you can go from filthy poor to filthy rich in two seconds, because tell me why I’m in a luxury store and two metres outside this place could be the set of Slumdog Millionaire.”The quote, combined with a text overlay that reads “India is poor and rich at the same time,” highlights the theme of contrast– a reality many living in or visiting Mumbai are familiar with.

The sharp difference between lavish interiors and the street scenes just outside has drawn strong reactions online.Reactions: Agreement, discomfort, and criticismThe video has led to a wave of mixed responses. Some users echoed Franco’s observations, pointing out the very real class divide that exists in Mumbai and other large cities. One user wrote: “Wealth disparity in India is quite insane, yes.” Another shared their own memory, saying: “I remember that the first time I landed in Bombay as a kid, I was perplexed by the have and have-nots, side by side.

Duality is a way better word for it. Almost nothing like it.”But not everyone agreed with the video’s portrayal. Some criticised what they saw as a narrow take, one that focuses too heavily on poverty and ignores the wider picture. One viewer commented: “India's diverse beauty is often overlooked by foreign content creators who focus on slums and street food for followers.”A broader issue beyond bordersThe conversation also expanded beyond India, touching on inequality seen in other parts of the world.

A viewer compared the situation to their experience in the US, saying: “Lived in the US. The physical boundaries between rich and poor neighbourhoods shocked me. And also, poor work - there is no danger like in the US. I'm not justifying inequality, that’s terrible, but proximity, I think, is better than apartheid in the US.

”Still, others felt the content didn’t reveal anything new. For many, it simply pointed out what Mumbai has long represented– a city where extremes often sit side by side. As one comment put it: “That’s just Bombay in a nutshell.”Thumb image credits: Instagram