Bhagyashree has broken her silence in the face of the criticism that followed her recently Kashi trip, where pictures of her promoting lassi at a local shop had gone viral. After social media users dismissed the clip as “fake” promotion, the actor posted another video to clear things up, saying his sole aim was to support local vendors and celebrate the city’s food traditions.
Bhagyashree recalls her first morning at the Gangaghats
Sharing the video, the actress wrote, “tuesdaytipswithb Lassi on a hot day. I had been up since 3 am to do the mangala aarti, then I was walking in the Gangaghats in the immense heat, this lassi was just the energy booster I needed. Sprinkled with nuts on top, I enjoyed the crunch.”
Bhagyashree on the health benefits of curd based drinks
The actor also shared his thoughts on the health benefits of curd-based drinks, noting that a sweetened lassi may not be advisable for everyone. She said: “Salty or sweet is a matter of choice and yes for those who are diabetic, the indulgence of a sweetened lassi would not be the right choice. The curd is rich in calcium, protein, probiotics. The sugar/gud gives energy and hydrates… for me it was the perfect combination in the 40° heat.“
Bhagyashree questions ‘false’ promotional claims.
Addressing the viral video head on, Bhagyashree dismissed those who had said the promo was fake without knowing the full story. He noted that the clip circulating online was cut short and missing key context. “And along with the exceptional taste, it was also the love with which it was made. There is a clip of this video that says its fake promotion. Kya aap the wahan par? Kya kahin bhi uss fake clip ke dauran kisine, sunna, ya record kiya ki meine yeh kaha ki is too sweet and I won’t have it?.. fake video of toh aaddha, aadhi knowledge ke saath puja karna hota hein.”
Bhagyashree defends its intention to promote local food
He further added that promoting regional food is not based on any personal gain, but is simply a way to support small businesses and local vendors. “Local food ko promou karne se koi bhi paise nahi kamate. The only good thing is that local food, local vendors are supported. It’s a shame that idle minds have nothing nice to say, even about the simplest things. Kashi is a place of purity, how insignificant is your rant. #hydrate #benarasi #lassi #probiotics,” she wrote.
How did the controversy begin?
The controversy erupted after a short clip of Bhagyashree’s trip to Varanasi started doing rounds on social media. Some users alleged that she did not actually drink the lassi after the filming of the promotional video was over, suggesting that she had avoided it due to its sugar and fat content. Others balked, arguing that endorsing a local business doesn’t force a celebrity to change their own eating habits.
Bhagyashree’s work front
On the work front, Bhagyashree was last seen on screen in ‘Raja Shivaji’, along with Riteish Deshmukh.