Zomato says sorry over Mahakal thali ad featuring Hrithik Roshan

An apology has been issued by Zomato with respect to their recent advertisement featuring actor Hrithik Roshan. The advertisement featured Hrithik who felt like having a thali and ordered from Mahakal. Later devotees and priests of Shree Mahakaleshwar temple, Ujjain’s famous temple, sought the withdrawal of the advertisement immediately.
Mahesh Sharma, a priest, said: “Hrithik and Zomato should apologise for this ad as Mahakal temple is not in the business of offering any thali”. He added: “The company should think twice before bringing out such advertisement as it has made publicity which is misleading about the Mahakal temple in the ad”.
The company later clarified that the thalis at the Mahakal restaurant was referred in the ad and not the Shri Mahakaleshwar temple.
Zomato said in a statement: “The ad is part of a pan India campaign where the top local restaurants and their top popular dishes in each city were identified by us. In Ujjain, Mahakal restaurant was one such restaurant which was selected for the campaign. The referred ad is no longer on display as the sentiments of the people living in Ujjain is greatly respected by us. We extend our sincerest apologies since the intention was not to hurt anyone’s sentiments and beliefs”.