Dolly Chaiwala, the humble tea seller from India, has tasted fame after serving billionaire Bill Gates at a pre-wedding celebration. Since then, Chaiwala has become a sought-after figure, attending numerous events across the country. However, his newfound fame has come with a price tag, as revealed by a food vlogger, AK Food Vlog, who attempted to book him for an event in Kuwait.
The vlogger shared his experience in a video, expressing his shock at Chaiwala’s demands. He mentioned that the Instagram influencer charges a hefty ₹5 lakh for each appearance, along with a luxury hotel stay. Not only that, but Chaiwala also requires a companion to accompany him. “I wanted to call him (Dolly Chaiwala) to Kuwait. But the guy has so many demands. I started just questioning my whole existence. I was like ‘Dude, are you serious?’” the vlogger said in the video. He added, “Do you know how much this guy charges, Dolly Chaiwala? ₹ 5 lakh. That’s not it. Plus, one more person will come with him. 4- or 5-Star hotel booking. He literally told me that. He wasn’t talking to me. His manager was talking to me. He has a manager.”
The video has garnered over 2.15 crore views, sparking a heated debate online. While some users criticized Chaiwala’s demands, others defended him, arguing that his popularity and the nature of his appearances justified his fee. “Now it is time to thank dolly chaiwala because of his name you got 20 million views,” wrote one user. “Classic case of elitist mindset. Had it been somebody slightly different looking or coming from slightly different economical backgrounds, these would be completely fair demands. Infact 4-5 star corporate bookings are quite fair considering he would be travelling all the way from India. And you seriously didn’t expect him to come alone, did you? Do better. Be better. The mic should come with a licence,” wrote another user, defending Chaiwala’s demands.
The incident highlights the complexities of fame and the evolving landscape of influencer marketing. While some may find Chaiwala’s fees exorbitant, others recognize the value he brings as a popular figure, illustrating the changing dynamics of celebrity culture in the digital age.
