Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, known for his preference for renting over owning, has sparked online debate after photos of his previous rented apartment in Bengaluru resurfaced. Despite being widely recognized for his financial acumen, the billionaire found himself in the center of an unexpected controversy, with social media users criticizing the design of his sprawling 7,000-square-foot rented residence in Kingfisher Tower.
The debate was set off when Rahul Gonsalves, head of design at PhonePe, mistakenly shared pictures of Kamath’s rented home, identifying it as his new purchase. Gonsalves called the interiors an «absolute travesty,» sparking a flurry of reactions. «In all of this Nikhil Kamath house debate, what is being lost sight of is the absolute travesty that are its interiors,» Gonsalves wrote on X (formerly Twitter). «You can afford far better interior designers/architects.»
While some expected the billionaire’s taste to reflect a more refined style, the maximalist design of the apartment was not well received by many. Social media users were quick to point out that wealth doesn’t always equate to good taste. «A lot of it is pretty lame,» wrote one user. «It’s not necessary to be rich to have a refined taste.» Another chimed in with, «Kitschy! Money doesn't beget taste!»
The aesthetic, described by some as a mix of Memphis design, modern organic elements, and maximalist boho, was criticized for its lack of cohesion. One user remarked, «They didn’t even