A recent tweet from Abhishek Chakravarty, co-founder of the Bengaluru-based startup Youform, has landed him at the center of an unexpected controversy. Bengaluru entrepreneur accused of lying—that’s the headline grabbing attention across social media platforms after Chakravarty posted a screenshot showing a ₹4.2 lakh salary credited to his bank account.
Bengaluru Entrepreneur Accused of Lying
Chakravarty’s tweet was meant to be light-hearted, celebrating the supposed perks of entrepreneurship—especially the freedom to determine one’s own salary. However, the post quickly turned sour as netizens began questioning the authenticity of the screenshot.
The primary point of contention? The way the salary amount was formatted. Instead of using the Indian numbering convention (₹4,20,000), the image showed ₹420,000. Many users jumped on this detail, accusing him of faking the screenshot or editing it poorly. For a startup founder, critics felt that the salary seemed overly inflated and the post came off as boastful.
Accusations and Online Backlash
Soon, social media was flooded with memes, doubts, and outright accusations. Many believed the post was an attempt to gain attention or social media clout. For some, the screenshot was more than just a formatting error—it was seen as an intentional act to mislead.
Bengaluru entrepreneur accused of lying became a popular narrative, especially as others in the tech space weighed in with their skepticism. Questions were raised about how realistic such a salary would be for a founder of a small SaaS startup in its early stages.
The Entrepreneur’s Bold Comeback
Chakravarty wasn’t silent. In response to the backlash, he offered to prove the salary in real time via a video call. He stood his ground and challenged anyone to disprove him. According to him, ₹4.2 lakh a month is not out of the ordinary in the tech world, particularly for founders or senior-level professionals.
He clarified that his tweet wasn’t about justifying his income but was a tongue-in-cheek post that got blown out of proportion. In replies to those supporting him, he doubled down on the fact that such salaries are indeed common, especially in tech circles where compensation structures vary widely.
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A Mirror to India’s Tech Salary Culture
This isn’t the first time online salary claims have stirred up controversy, but the Bengaluru entrepreneur accused of lying story seems to have struck a nerve. In India’s growing startup ecosystem, discussions around pay transparency, privilege, and social media behavior are becoming increasingly common.
While some believe entrepreneurs should be able to celebrate their success openly, others feel that such posts set unrealistic expectations or project an exaggerated picture of startup life. The reactions to Chakravarty’s post clearly reflect a divide in how success is perceived and shared online.
The Debate Continues
The jury is still out on whether the screenshot was real or staged, but the incident has certainly ignited an important conversation. Should entrepreneurs be more mindful of how they portray wealth online? Are salary disclosures worth the backlash they often invite?
