Anushka’s chole bhature order for Virat helped revive ₹18 lakh-debt restaurant
In a remarkable turnaround, Mumbai's Delhi Se restaurant faced closure due to plummeting sales. However, a glowing endorsement by comedian Abhishek Upmanyu propelled its popularity, drawing in new customers. Anushka Sharma's order of chole bhature for Virat Kohli further enhanced demand, leading to the expansion of the restaurant from one to four outlets. Monthly revenue skyrocketed from ₹1-1.5…
The small 250-square-foot restaurant, known as Delhi Se, found itself teetering on the brink of closure back in 2021. Located in Chembur, the eatery served a mere nine customers at a time, struggling to generate enough revenue to sustain its operations. The Khalsa brothers, Jaspal and Mahinder Singh Khalsa, were the faces behind the restaurant, who had initially started it with a singular purpose: to offer Delhi-style cuisine in the bustling city of Mumbai.
However, their business was in a downward spiral by September 2022, with sales declining steadily. By that time, the brothers were already grappling with a debt of around ₹18 lakh. The prospect of closing the restaurant loomed large, but fate had something else in store for them.
One day in September 2022, stand-up comedian Abhishek Upmanyu visited Delhi Se while it was just about to close its doors. Intrigued by the restaurant's unique chole bhature, Upmanyu took to Instagram to share his experience, recommending the eatery to his followers. Though the brothers were initially unaware of Upmanyu's identity, his post proved to be a game-changer. Within days, their restaurant began to see a surge in walk-ins, as curious foodies sought out the acclaimed dish.
The turning point came when Anushka Sharma, wife of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, reached out to Delhi Se for a taste of their signature chole bhature. Upon hearing of the restaurant's recommendation, someone from Kohli's home placed an order for two plates on October 5, 2022. Initially suspecting a prank, the brothers were pleasantly surprised when the food was delivered to the superstar's residence.
Anushka Sharma subsequently shared her experience on social media, crediting Upmanyu for introducing her to the delicious dish. The floodgates opened, and the restaurant's reputation soared.
Delhi Se's fortunes changed dramatically overnight. What started as a modest nine-seater establishment quickly expanded to four outlets in Chembur, Mulund, Andheri West, and Vashi. The brothers reported that daily sales now exceed 3,000 plates of chole bhature, with production soaring from 8 kg of chickpeas to nearly a tonne after cooking. The once struggling enterprise now boasts monthly sales of around ₹2 crore, a significant leap from the ₹1-1.5 lakh they were earning during the challenging period.
This remarkable comeback serves as a testament to the power of a well-timed endorsement from a celebrity, showcasing how a single social media mention can propel a small business to new heights.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
