Hrithik Roshan's 'Mahakal Thali' advertisement on Zomato is pulled down due to backlash; app issues apology

Food delivery app Zomato apologized after its most recent advertising with Hrithik Roshan caused controversy for insulting the holy Mahakal temple and hurting Hindu sensibilities. Roshan can be heard stating, "Thaali khane ka mann tha, Mahakaal se manga liya" (I wanted a food platter, so I ordered it from Mahakaal) in a recent advertisement. One of the 12 Jyotirlinga in the nation, it is also known as Mahakal Temple and is devoted to Lord Shiva. It draws devotees from all around the world.

The online delivery app strongly apologized and gave a clarification following the significant response the meal delivery service received on social media. The priests of the Mahakal temple also voiced objections.

The company apologized and stated that it "deeply respects" "the opinions of the Ujjain population. It was also made clear that the advertisement was no longer running. “We offer our sincerest apologies, for the intent here was never to hurt anyone’s beliefs and sentiments," Zomato penned.

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Narottam Mishra, the home minister for Madhya Pradesh, claimed to have ordered the police to investigate the situation. He stated, "Prima facie, the advertisement video being circulated on social media seems morphed. I have told Ujjain's Superintendent of Police to look into the reality of the video and report to me so that action can be initiated against the guilty."