Not careless, just priorities: Viral video shows a metro passenger using broken phone; social media erupts with empathy

It is one of the most dreadful experiences when one of our gadgets gets into bad shape - be it a small scratch on the screen or display software issues. A recent viral video of a passenger travelling in a metro has gone viral, showing the person’s spoilt screen, yet he remains glued to his phone.


While we spend time doom-scrolling through our social media feeds, past luxury unboxings, this raw moment hits home and shows how people prioritise rent, kids’ school fees, or hospital bills over a new phone.

Viral videos show a humble man hooked to his broken phone screen

A short video captured inside a metro coach has touched millions, showing a passenger calmly tapping away on a phone with a completely shattered screen.

Posted on Instagram by Rakesh Das recently, the clip quickly racked over up 2.7 million views, thousands of likes, and a flood of heartfelt comments. The man sits quietly, holding the device with no visible display, yet he uses it without a fuss, oblivious to the camera. This everyday inciden went viral online, igniting chats about financial squeezes, toughness, and the hidden hurdles people face on their commutes.

Social media response

What struck viewers wasn't the broken phone itself, but the story it actually told. Many shared how it was relatable to their own lives, over using old gadgets because basics like food, rent, and kids' education come first. "A broken phone does not necessarily show carelessness. Instead, it indicates priorities shaped by necessity," several users wrote in comments.


Another user wrote, “This hit me hard because I have been there, using a phone till its last breath because responsibilities come first”. Another shared, “People laugh at broken phones but they do not see the bills waiting at home”. A third added, “He is not poor in dignity. He is just strong enough to adjust and move on”. Another user added to the sentiment, “Not everyone upgrades phones every year, some of us upgrade our patience” and “This is the reality of many middle class lives, silent struggles no one talks about”.


Personal experiences poured in, deepening the connection. “I used my cracked phone for two years after my father fell ill,” one commenter revealed. Another recalled, “This reminds me of my early working days, every rupee mattered”. Praise flowed for his focus, “Respect to him for focusing on life instead of appearances”.