Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal's 'temple device' meets AIIMS doctor's ‘fancy toy for billionaires’ jab
PTC News Desk: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal recently appeared on Raj Shamani's podcast but what really caught viewrs' attention was a mystery device sitting quitely on his temple reigniting the conversation around his brain flow experiment.
The tiny metallic gadget became the centre of attraction and netizens couldn't resist point it out. Some compared it to chewing gum, others called it an external SSD plugged into his brain for storing business ideas. The guesses ranged from funny to borderline sci-fi, but the truth, as it turned out, was far more ambitious than humorous.
However besides humour, the gadget encountered serious reactions from AIIMS doctor. Dr Suvrankar Datta, an AI researcher and radiologist with clinical training from AIIMS Delhi, dismissed the device worn by Goyal as unscientific. He also called the device as a “fancy toy” for billionaires who can afford to waste money.
“As a physician-scientist and one of the earliest researchers in India in Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Wave Velocity (2017) which predicts cardiovascular mortality, I can assure you that this device currently has 0 scientific standing as a useful device,” Dr Datta posted on X.
He was responding to a picture of Goyal wearing the Temple device on his left temple.
As a physician-scientist and one of the earliest researchers in India in Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Wave Velocity (2017) which predicts cardiovascular mortality, I can assure you that this device currently has 0 scientific standing as a useful device and do not waste your hard… https://t.co/pm0pxGRycd — Dr. Datta M.D. (AIIMS Delhi) (@DrDatta_AIIMS) January 4, 2026
The AIIMS doctor also urged his followers not to waste their hard-earned money on such devices that have no scientific backing. “Do not waste your hard earned money to buy fancy toys billionaires can afford to waste money on. If you are one, then go ahead,” he said.
Meanwhile, Goyal’s interest in the device is genuine and not just for publicity. He has been personally testing it for nearly a year. He also said the idea for Temple came up while his team was studying the “Gravity Ageing Hypothesis,” which suggests that the long-term pull of gravity may affect blood flow to the brain and possibly contribute to ageing. However, the theory has generated both curiosity and criticism, with many experts stressing that ageing is a complex process and cannot be explained by gravity alone.
- With inputs from agencies
