‘Luxury’ or ‘Dhobi Ghat’? Viral image of Mumbai apartments worth ₹ 2.5 million each divides the internet | Today’s news
A social media post questioning the appearance of a newly constructed residential tower in Mumbai has sparked a debate about what really qualifies as “luxury” living. The discussion started after user X criticized the facade of a building where apartments are said to range in price ₹1.5 million and ₹2.5 million.
A post shared by user X on behalf of Roads of Mumbai featured the exterior of the residential tower and questioned whether its appearance reflected its premium price. The user argued that the clothes hanging from the balconies and windows gave the building a “chawla” look rather than a luxury residential project.
Read also | ‘Best and most powerful’: What British TV host Bear Grylls had to say about PM Modi
The original post read: “Newly built ‘luxury’ tower. Flats from ₹1.5 Cr-2.5 Cr+. A view of the ground? Straight chawl vibes with clothes hanging from every balcony and window like the 90s. Why can’t the builders put a dedicated drying area on each floor and enforce that residents ONLY dry clothes there instead of destroying the whole facade?
“This is what people are paying millions for in 2026? Real estate developers really said ‘premium living’ and instead delivered the full dhobi ghat vibe. Who is still buying that? Be honest.”
Check out the post here:
Internet Divided Via Balcony Laundry
The post quickly gained traction on social media, with users divided over whether drying laundry on balconies detracts from the appeal of premium residential buildings.
Some users echoed the criticism, questioning the way luxury housing is marketed.
Read also | “Toilet denied, 1 star awarded: Urban Company’s video sparks debate.”
“Anything under 8 kr is not luxury…
This is a building for the poor…” commented one user.
Another wrote: “This same building is charging tenants an extra 18,000 to use the amenities.”
However, others have defended the practice, arguing that drying clothes outside is both practical and necessary.
“Naturally drying laundry is somehow bad? Tumble dryers are a must in some countries due to the cold weather and even then it is not recommended because it reduces the age of the clothes and spoils them quickly,” wrote one user.
Another commented: “Laundry drying needs sunlight, otherwise fungal infection can happen, builders are greedy vultures, they will build anything in the name of LifeStyle, but it depends on the basic necessities, a drying area, a square kitchen with a good sink so that the water does not splash from washing dishes.”
Read also | Google gave me a shine. Microsoft gave me depth’: Techie in viral LinkedIn post
Some call for better design, others oppose restrictions
Several users have argued that the problem lies more in the way the residential buildings are designed than in the habits of the residents.
“It’s in Indian genes… Even if such an area is provided… Still they will hang clothes on the balcony… Structuring the building in Dubai style is ideal… This will solve this problem,” wrote one user.
Another suggested a middle ground: “It looks bad, but drying clothes like this is the best option.
It cannot be dried even on the common floor.
Drying indoors causes lung problems.
The best option is to put a fabric or mesh sheet in front of the clothes, standardized by the company and should not extend beyond the frame.”
Some users also criticized the original post for being elitist.
“Elitist look much? Every square inch of space in Mumbai is at a premium. It’s hard for a builder to allocate a drying area for a flat that takes up carpet space anyway. What’s wrong with drying clothes where there’s plenty of sunlight and air? Chawl vibes jibe? – that’s a bit too harsh,” commented one user.
Another added: “Why can’t people learn basic drying sensitivities?
Why can’t a society introduce rules not to dry clothes outside, such rules introduced by some societies are not followed by some individuals and then become the norm for others.”
Another user spoke out against such restrictions, writing: “Who is anyone who decides where I hang my laundry at home. This shaming of people for anything is insane. You’re preserving the aesthetics of your balcony. The insanity of controlling every aspect of people’s lives is insane.”
