A viral video that drew widespread criticism for allegedly mocking a man over his job as a pizza delivery driver has now been claimed to be staged by the woman seen in the clip. The video, which showed a former schoolmate questioning and ridiculing the man’s profession, had triggered a strong backlash online, with many social media users condemning the apparent shaming of honest work.

Following the outrage, the woman identified as Ayushi Singh addressed the controversy on Instagram, stating that the video was made “mazak mein” and was intended as a prank. She said the clip was staged and filmed with prior understanding, adding that it was not meant to insult or demean her former classmate or his profession.

The video had initially gone viral for what viewers perceived as an insensitive interaction, prompting discussions around class prejudice and respect for labour. Many users praised the man for his composure while criticizing the woman for reinforcing stereotypes and belittling service-sector jobs.

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In her clarification, Singh said the reaction was unexpected and arose because the video was viewed without context. She maintained that the content was created purely for entertainment and apologised to those who felt offended by it. However, she did not provide further details on why the prank was framed around a sensitive issue.

Despite the explanation, several social media users remained unconvinced, arguing that staging such content still reflects poor judgement. Some questioned whether labelling the clip a prank after public outrage was an attempt at damage control rather than a genuine clarification.

The incident has once again highlighted how quickly online content can spiral into controversy, particularly when it touches on issues of dignity and employment. It has also reignited conversations about responsibility in content creation and the fine line between humour and harm in the age of viral videos.

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