Sipping Dolly Chaiwala’s tea can cost you Rs 5 lakh! Kuwait vlogger reveals how much the tea-seller charges

How much moolah can you rake in through serving tea? The sky is the limit if you ask Dolly Chaiwala. The star tea seller from Nagpur, who shot into the limelight after a video of him serving tea to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in Hyderabad went viral, has now earned Internet fame as well as a fortune from his tea-making and presenting prowess.

His unique approach to brewing tea and his engaging personality have established him as a sought-after guest for talk shows and public events. Recently, a food blogger who sought to feature him on his show revealed the substantial cost of bringing this tea expert on board.

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“AK Food Vlog reveals his firsthand experience of hosting Dolly Ki Tapri Nagpur and discloses his earnings,” states the caption accompanying the video posted on Instagram by Taiyab Fakhruddhn.

“By the way, I happened to call Dolly Chaiwala because I wanted to call him to Kuwait. But the guy has so many demands, and I started just questioning my whole existence,” revealed the food influencer, named AK Food Vlog. He continued, “I was like, dude, are you serious? Do you know how much this guy—Dolly Chaiwala—charges? 2,000 dinars. So 5 lakh rupees. That’s roughly around 2,000 or 2,500 KD. That’s not it.”

Since being posted on Instagram a day ago, the video has garnered over 18.7 million views and continues to attract attention. Many viewers took to the comments section to share their opinions. The vlogger faced criticism from Indian netizens for complaining about his compensation. “He assumed he could take advantage of Dolly just because he’s Indian. Asking for a 4-5 star hotel isn’t a demand; it’s basic respect when inviting someone from another country,” commented one viewer.

Another added, “I don’t think 5 lakh is excessive, and a 5-star hotel is perfectly reasonable.”

“Dolly is fully entitled to make such requests. Don’t judge him based on his past. He now has over 4 million followers. You chose to invite him, not the other way around. It seemed like you were mocking him,” said a third commenter.

A fourth person wrote, “He absolutely deserves it. If influencers with over a million followers charge 8-10 lakh rupees, why shouldn’t he?”

“Bro only got views by mentioning someone else’s name. That’s the power of a name, regardless of the background,” remarked a fifth commenter.

Reports indicate that Dolly Chaiwala’s net worth surpasses Rs. 10 lakh. Despite selling each cup of tea for just Rs. 7, he makes a daily income between Rs. 2,450 and Rs. 3,500 due to his impressive daily sales of 350 to 500 cups.

In February of this year, Bill Gates visited India and posted a video on Instagram showing him drinking tea made by Dolly Chaiwala in Hyderabad. In the video, Gates can be heard requesting, “One chai [tea], please,” from the renowned tea vendor. The footage shows Dolly Chaiwala preparing the tea in his distinctive style using a special cart. At the end of the video, Gates enjoys the hot tea from a glass and concludes with, “Looking forward to many chai pe charcha,” while striking a pose with the tea seller.

Dolly Ki Tapri boasts 4.2 million followers on Instagram. Known for his flamboyant personality, Dolly often serves tea, all while sporting funky golden goggles, a golden chain, and an eye-catching hairdo.

Dolly, whose real name is Sunil Patil, has been serving tea since 2007. Influenced by Rajinikanth, his gestures closely mimic the superstar’s, serving as a kind of homage. Dolly has a unique method for preparing tea: he theatrically opens the milk packet, pours it into the pot, brews the tea, and then hands it to customers, all with a dramatic flair.

“I’m a big fan of South Indian cinema and admire the charisma of South Indian actors,” he explains, adding, “The drama and showmanship are designed to attract customers and enhance business. With so many tea stalls out there, I need to differentiate myself.” He further notes, “My style is inspired by Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp’s character from Pirates of the Caribbean). Although I’ve faced criticism and name-calling for my fashion choices, I’ve ignored the negativity. I constantly refine my look, and it’s these unique traits that have made me popular.”