What does being rich look like in different Indian cities? In Delhi, it may be associated with expensive cars and visible status symbols. In Mumbai, wealth is often linked with a more understated lifestyle, while in Bengaluru’s startup circles, the conversation may revolve around business ideas, company valuations and what founders are building next.This is the distinction highlighted by Aditya Maheshwari in a viral Instagram video, in which he compared how wealthy people behave in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Drawing on his experiences at founder dinners in Bengaluru’s Koramangala and HSR Layout, Maheshwari suggested that the city’s startup culture has created a different way of looking at wealth. His observations have sparked a debate online about the difference between looking rich, having money readily available and owning a business that could eventually be worth hundreds of crores.
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have different ideas of wealth
According to Maheshwari’s comparison, wealth in Delhi is more likely to be associated with visible markers of success. Expensive cars, luxury purchases and other status symbols can become ways of signalling financial standing. Mumbai, by contrast, is portrayed as a place where affluent people may be more discreet about their money. In Bengaluru’s startup ecosystem, however, Maheshwari suggested that the focus often shifts from what someone owns to what they are building.At founder gatherings in Koramangala and HSR Layout, he said, entrepreneurs may be more interested in discussing their companies, business models and future ambitions than in comparing cars or family backgrounds. The distinction is not a rule that applies to everyone in these cities. Rather, it reflects Maheshwari’s experience of different social and professional circles, particularly the startup community in Bengaluru.
A founder with a Rs 400 crore company who lives simply
One example from Maheshwari’s account stood out. He described a founder whose company is valued at around Rs 400 crore but who reportedly rents a two-bedroom apartment, uses services such as Rapido and quick-commerce platforms, and eats at the same local restaurant every morning. For someone accustomed to associating wealth with luxury homes, high-end cars and expensive dining, such a lifestyle might seem surprising. But the example highlights a key difference between the valuation of a business and the money its founder can actually spend.A company valued at Rs 400 crore does not mean its founder has Rs 400 crore in their bank account. The valuation reflects the estimated worth of the business, while the founder’s personal wealth depends on factors such as their ownership stake, the company’s financial position and whether their shares can be sold. Maheshwari’s example suggests that, in some startup circles, an impressive valuation may not necessarily lead to an equally extravagant lifestyle.
Why paper wealth does not always mean cash in the bank
Startup founders often hold a substantial part of their wealth in company equity. Employees may also receive employee stock ownership plans, commonly known as ESOPs, which can give them an opportunity to benefit if the company grows in value. However, these holdings are not the same as cash. A founder may have shares in a highly valued private company but may not be able to sell them easily. Their ability to turn that ownership into money can depend on an acquisition, a public listing or another opportunity to sell shares.Even then, the final amount they receive depends on the terms of the transaction, their ownership percentage and other financial considerations. A company’s valuation can also change, meaning that paper wealth may rise or fall without the founder receiving any cash. This uncertainty could help explain why some entrepreneurs do not rush to spend heavily simply because their companies have attracted high valuations. Their financial position may look impressive on paper while much of their wealth remains tied to the business.
Social media debate challenges the comparison
Maheshwari’s video has prompted viewers to question whether these differences are really about entire cities or about the communities within them. One user challenged his portrayal of Bengaluru, arguing that wealthy residents of Sadashivanagar are much more willing to display their riches than people in startup-focused neighbourhoods such as Indiranagar.Another commenter agreed with the distinction between paper wealth and actual money, noting that startup equity can lose value quickly and that a high valuation does not guarantee lasting wealth. The reactions point to a broader distinction: wealth does not look the same in every setting, and outward appearances may reveal little about someone’s actual financial position.A luxury car or an expensive home can signal spending power, while a founder’s company valuation may represent wealth that cannot yet be accessed. Ultimately, Maheshwari’s comparison has opened up a conversation about whether being rich is about what people display today or what they own, build and may be able to realise in the future.
