Remember the Kacha Badam singer? 5 years after viral fame and working with rapper Badshah, here’s what the peanut-seller is up to now. ‘My life has changed.’

The thing about fame is that you never know how long it is going to last. One prime example of this is singer Bhuban Badyakar from West Bengal. If his name does not ring a bell, then his song Kacha Badam will surely take you back 5 years ago, when the humble peanut-seller rose to overnight fame for his unique vocals. He even worked with rapper Badshah, who released a remix version of the viral track, featuring Bhuban. But after brief appearances on music videos and television shows, Bhuban suddenly disappeared from the public eye. Let’s see what he is up to now.

Kacha Badam singer's early life and birth of the viral song

Bhuban Badyakar, in a conversation with the BBC, admitted that he was grateful for the abundance of love he received for the Kacha Badam song. The peanut-seller shared that previously, he did not have a proper house, living in a small hut, but now he resides in a brick-built house. He credits the song’s euphoric response for the major lifestyle shift and having a roof over his head.


Bhuban Badyakar further added that in the past, he used to do all kinds of odd jobs, including creating thatched roofs. But that kind of work came to him once a year, so instead, he started selling peanuts for a living. It was during his daily duty that the idea of singing songs to attract customers struck him and the rest is history.

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A post shared by Bhuban Badyakar (@bhuban_badyakar)

How the song changed his life

Bhuban Badyakar’s Kacha Badam song inspired Instagram reels, dance remixes and transformation videos with the track translated in multiple languages, including Bengali, Haryanvi and Punjab. Bhuban was even felicitated by the West Bengal police department and later appeared in the popular quiz-based show Dadagiri, hosted by former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly.

In a few years, however, the spotlight faded and Bhuban Badyakar is now back to a simpler life, occasionally performing at local events and making hand-woven bamboo baskets and fans to earn a living. Last year, when YouTuber Nishu Tiwari met him, Bhuban told him that he was given Rs 60,000–70,000 for the song after arriving in Mumbai. He also received Rs 1 lakh and a gift from Manoj Malviya, the former Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, Bhuban Badyakar, whose family of 5 includes his wife, 2 sons and a daughter, said that although he does not have Kacha Badam’s copyright anymore, the song has certainly opened doors for him, reported The Times of India. People now recognise him on the streets, click selfies with him and even invite him to perform at local shows. ‘My life has improved after going viral,' he confessed, adding that the fame brought him respect, recognition, and a better livelihood.