Comedian Kunal Kamra has taken his ongoing feud with Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal to a new level by posting a deepfake video mocking him. This video came as Ola Electric’s stock dropped nearly 4 percent, hitting a 52-week low of ₹74.82, below its issue price of ₹76 since the company’s listing in August. Kamra’s video included a clip of Aggarwal saying, “Mujhe farak nahi padhta” (I don’t care), hinting at the CEO’s indifference towards customer complaints.
Origin of the Feud
The dispute between Kamra and Aggarwal began in early October when Kamra criticized Ola Electric’s after-sales service. Kamra highlighted customer complaints, pointing out that Ola Electric reportedly receives around 80,000 complaints monthly, which often go unresolved. In response, Aggarwal accused Kamra of being paid to tarnish Ola’s reputation and challenged him to spend a day at an Ola service center. This led to a backlash online, with many social media users supporting Kamra and criticizing Aggarwal’s dismissive reply.
Customer Complaints
Kamra continued to share customer grievances on social media, often tagging Aggarwal. Recently, he humorously accepted Aggarwal’s challenge, saying he felt like an employee due to the sheer number of complaints he was tagged in. Kamra even mocked reports of Ola hiring security personnel at its service centers to handle complaints, drawing more criticism of Ola’s approach to customer service. Last week, he responded to a Diwali video Aggarwal shared, asking him to post footage of actual service centers instead.
Stock Struggles Raise Concerns
Ola Electric’s stock market performance has been underwhelming since its public debut on August 9, 2024. After opening at ₹75.99 on the BSE and ₹76 on the NSE, the stock has struggled to gain value. With the recent dip below its issue price, some investors have raised concerns about the company’s reputation and customer service. Kamra’s continuous focus on these issues seems to be resonating with the public, as seen in comments from users who echoed his criticisms of Ola’s services.
Regulatory Attention Adds Pressure on Ola
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently issued a Show Cause Notice to Ola Electric, questioning its service practices. While Ola claims it has resolved 99.1 percent of complaints, the Department of Consumer Affairs plans to verify this by contacting customers directly. Kamra’s campaign, which has brought attention to customer issues, has also sparked discussions about corporate accountability in India’s electric vehicle industry.
With stock prices struggling and increasing regulatory scrutiny, Ola may need to address its customer service practices to regain investor confidence and improve its public image.
