Kuwait blogger claims Dolly Chaiwala charges Rs 5 lakh for event, demands 5-star hotel. Watch

The video of AK Food Vlog discussing Dolly’s charges quickly went viral, amassing over 21 million views on Instagram.

Dolly Chaiwala, a tea seller from Nagpur, gained widespread attention after serving tea to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates earlier this year. This unexpected encounter turned Dolly into a social media sensation, leading to a surge in demand for his appearances at events and gatherings. His popularity has now translated into significant fees for his presence, as recently revealed by a food blogger.

A food blogger who goes by the name AK Food Vlog on Instagram, shared his experience of trying to invite Dolly Chaiwala to an event in Kuwait. According to the blogger, Dolly's manager quoted a fee of Rs 5 lakh for a single day's appearance, which also included accommodations in a four or five-star hotel for Dolly and a companion. The blogger expressed surprise at the demands, leading to a flurry of online discussions about Dolly's growing fame and the associated costs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taiyab Fakhruddhn (@brewwithabdu)

The video of AK Food Vlog discussing Dolly’s charges quickly went viral, amassing over 21 million views on Instagram. The comments section of the video reflected a range of opinions. Some users supported Dolly’s right to charge for his popularity, with one commenting, “He deserves it. If influencers with over a million followers can charge lakhs, why shouldn’t he?” Another user echoed this sentiment, saying, “I don’t think 5 lakh is a lot & 5-star hotel is ok too.”

Others, however, were more critical. One user suggested that the blogger’s surprise stemmed from underestimating Dolly due to his humble background, writing, “He thought since Dolly is an Indian, he can exploit him. I mean asking for a 4-5 star hotel is not even a demand, it’s basic courtesy when you invite someone from their country.” Another user added, “Bro only got views taking someone else’s name. That’s the power of a name. Whatever the background.”

Despite the debate, many defended Dolly’s fees, citing his growing influence and popularity. "He definitely deserves it. Influencers charge far more; Dolly is just capitalizing on his hard-earned fame," noted another user.

Dolly Chaiwala’s rise to fame began in February when Bill Gates visited India and shared a video on Instagram where he was seen sipping tea made by Dolly in Hyderabad. Gates, impressed by Dolly's tea, remarked, "Wow, Dolly ki Chai." Dolly, however, revealed in a later interview that he had no idea he was serving one of the world’s richest men. “I thought he was just another foreign tourist,” Dolly told ANI.