A popular South Indian eatery, The Rameshwaram Cafe, has filed a police complaint after a video accusing the restaurant of serving contaminated food at its Bengaluru airport outlet went viral. The cafe claims the entire episode was staged as part of a blackmail attempt. As per an NDTV report, a customer recently alleged that a worm was found in one of the dishes and shared footage of the incident online. The clip quickly gained traction, sparking concerns among food lovers. But the restaurant’s management insists the video is misleading and says it’s part of a larger extortion scheme. In a statement, the cafe said a group of around five to seven individuals deliberately caused a commotion at the airport outlet, falsely accusing the staff of serving unhygienic food. Just hours later, the management reportedly received a call demanding Rs 25 lakh in cash to keep the video from spreading further online. Press Release pic.twitter.com/KgvVOpwGFu — The Rameshwaram Cafe (@RameshwaramCafe) July 24, 2025 The Rameshwaram Cafe has submitted call logs, messages, and other materials to the authorities as evidence, urging strict action. Founder Divya Raghav strongly refuted the claims, saying, "We operate under the strictest quality protocols, especially at sensitive locations like airports, where routine audits and hygiene checks are mandatory." She further noted that this wasn’t the first time such tactics had been used. According to her, there have been previous instances where individuals were caught deliberately placing items like insects or stones in their food in an attempt to defame the cafe. "We will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail," Raghav said, confirming that the brand is fully cooperating with the investigation and intends to pursue legal steps. She also appealed to the public and media to refrain from spreading unverified content that could harm businesses acting in good faith. The Rameshwaram Cafe, known for its quick-service South Indian fare such as dosas, idlis, and filter coffee, has built a loyal customer base over the years, especially among travellers and Bengaluru locals.
