Prajakta Koli says she got 'extorted' of Rs 500 at traffic signal in Mumbai. Actress was happy that the flowers at least smelled nice

When you're a celebrity in Mumbai, you expect to be recognised, maybe even mobbed. But what YouTuber-turned-actress Prajakta Koli didn’t expect was to get emotionally “extorted” at a traffic signal over a few strings of mogra. In a recent Instagram story, the Mismatched star shared a hilarious encounter that had her fans laughing—and possibly relating—a bit too hard.

It all happened in broad daylight at the DN Nagar signal. Prajakta spotted a woman selling gajras (flower garlands), and being a self-proclaimed lover of mogra, she decided to buy some. “She said Rs 100 for four. Expensive, but okay,” Prajakta explained in the video.

But things took an unexpected turn when she reached into her wallet. The gajra seller caught sight of a Rs 500 note and immediately began pleading for the bigger currency, citing her daughter’s health condition and how it would help her out with her ration. Prajakta, caught somewhere between amusement and awkwardness, tried to assess the situation. And then came the ultimate line: “Gareeb ki dua nahi chahiye aapko? Chahiye na? Toh do paise.”


At that point, even Prajakta couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “I just got extorted,” she said playfully, still holding her fragrant prize. “But this smells good. I’m glad.”

About Prajakta Koli

Prajakta Koli is a popular Indian YouTuber and actress, best known for her YouTube channel MostlySane and her lead role in the Netflix romantic drama series Mismatched (since 2020). She also appeared in a supporting role in the Bollywood film Jugjugg Jeeyo. In 2023, Koli announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend and lawyer Vrishank Khanal. The couple tied the knot on February 25, 2025, in Karjat.