A short video titled “Day in the life of an intern at Zepto” has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread debate over startup work culture, privilege and the realities of internships in India’s booming tech ecosystem.
The video was shared on Instagram by Akshat Tickoo, a strategy and operations intern at Zepto. It offers a glossy snapshot of a typical workday, beginning with a late 12 pm login and showcasing office perks, casual breaks and a relaxed environment.
What the viral video shows
The clip opens with Tickoo showing a green Porsche parked outside the office before logging in at noon. His day includes a meeting with a Zepto co-founder at 12.30 pm, followed by a visit to a Zepto dark store around 1.45 pm to “check a few things”.
The latter half of the video highlights a laid-back workplace atmosphere, featuring a FIFA gaming break with colleagues at 5 pm and what he labels an “international sutta break” at 6 pm. The intern logs out at 8 pm, ending the video with a note that Zepto is hiring.
Mixed reactions online
While some viewers admired the openness and flexibility portrayed in the video, others criticised it as an unrealistic or curated depiction of startup life, arguing that many interns face long hours, low pay and high pressure instead.
The video has fuelled conversations on social media platforms like Instagram and X about privilege, hustle culture and whether such content glamorises corporate life for young aspirants.
About Zepto
Founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto is one of India’s leading quick-commerce companies, promising grocery deliveries in under 10 minutes through a network of dark stores and AI-driven logistics. The company operates across major cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi, and was valued at about $5 billion in 2024.
As the debate continues, the viral video has once again highlighted the starkly different experiences that coexist within India’s startup world.