Who is Dolly Chaiwala and why are fellow Indians jealous of him?

A recent video of one of the richest men on the planet, Microsoft head Bill Gates, taking chai from a roadside tea-man Dolly Patil has gone viral, garnering a lot of reactions on social media platforms and in turn making the teaboy a sought-after celebrity and raising the number of his followers on TikTok and Instagram. 

Dolly, with his colourful hair, ear piercings, retro shades, and lean body, has a unique personality prompting the media to campout at his stall after the video went viral. In the clip, Gates was seen experiencing the local culture in a very personal way – by enjoying a cup of chai. 

The clip starts with Gates requesting, “One chai, please,” from Dolly Chaiwala. The tea seller’s unique method of preparing the tea on his special cart is a highlight, offering a glimpse into the artistry that goes into making the beloved drink. The video was shared on Bill Gates’ account to appreciate the diversity of India. 

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A post shared by Bill Gates (@thisisbillgates)

ANI too interviewed the chaiwala who claimed that he did not even know who Bill Gates was when the video was shot. 

“I was not aware at all. I thought that he was a guy from a foreign country so I should serve him tea. The next day when I came back to Nagpur I came across ‘Maine kisko chai pilaya.’ He (Bill Gates) said ‘Wow, Dolly ki Chai.’ We did not speak at all, he was standing just beside me and I was busy with my work.”

Talking about his styling, he said, “I watch South movies and from them, I have learned these styles…Today, I feel that I have become ‘Nagpur ka Dolly chai wala.’ In future, I wish to serve tea to [Indian] Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The statement took the internet by storm. An account on Instagram posted, “To hell with my degree, I should have been selling tea.” 

A user commented that this will be remembered as the most unexpected collaboration ever. 

#DollyChaiwala
This will be remebered as most unexpected collaboration ever.
Dolly Chaiwala said: Dream of serving tea to PM Modi after Bill Gatespic.twitter.com/rJs5YcPaBW

— ABHISHEK KUMAR (@tweet_abhi1989) February 29, 2024

People envied by posting memes about the newly famous Dolly managing to meet Bill Gates. 

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A post shared by Cric_Carson_ (@cric_carson_)

Some made fun of the fact that Dolly did not recognise Bill Gates after getting famous. 

Dolly chaiwaly ne Bill gates
Ko pachany sy inkaar krdia 😂😂#DollyChaiwala pic.twitter.com/5ECwZaza2W

— Jawad (@jawadukhattak) March 1, 2024

Another quipped that it’s the time of chaiwalas, as one became PM (referring to Narendra Modi of India) and now Dolly become so famous that he met Bill Gates. 

Chai ka jalwa hai ji 🔥

One chaiwala became PM

Now another chaiwala became popular as Bill Gates visited him#DollyChaiwala pic.twitter.com/SaY0JmphYc

— Kadak (@kadak_chai_) February 29, 2024

However, writer Dilip Mangal in a matter-of-fact way, pointed out that Bill Gates can see a market of 50 million middle-class Dalit consumers/buyers in India. He not only drinks tea from a Dalit’s shop-Dolly Chaiwala-but also gets a video made of it. 

Bill Gates can see a market of 50 million middle-class Dalit consumers/buyers in India. He not only drinks tea from a Dalit's shop #DollyChaiwala but also gets a video made of it. Amazon has also spotted this market.

Meanwhile, Shubh Labh businessmen keep doing the Satyanarayan… pic.twitter.com/zlsDWfsEhf

— Dilip Mandal (@Profdilipmandal) March 1, 2024