“One chai please.”

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, left the internet stunned after he shared a video featuring Nagpur’s Dolly Chaiwala. In an era of glamorous celebrity collaborations, this unexpected pairing took the public by storm, leading to discourse, memes, and compliments.

The video opens with Gates asking for “One chai, please”, and then shows the chaiwala preparing tea in a distinctive way using a special cart, offering a glimpse into the artistry of making his beloved beverage. The video ends with Gates enjoying his tea and posing for a photo with Dolly.

Gates captioned the video as, “In India, you can find innovation everywhere you turn—even in the preparation of a simple cup of tea!”

 

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Till date, the reel has received over 4.4 million likes and more than 61.7 million views. Gates’ wholehearted embracing of local customs and cuisines have resonated with many, who were surprised at the idea and offered him positive compliments.

It has also been the subject of numerous jokes and memes, particularly in relation to the missed collaboration with Prafoll Billore (aka “MBA Chaiwala”).

It has also provoked interest in the Dolly Chaiwala in question, who was interviewed shortly afterwards and said that he didn’t know who Bill Gates was and believed that he was just “a guy from a foreign country”. He also joked that he would next like to serve Prime Minister Narenda Modi.

The Nagpur-based seller has gained fame on social media with his unique selling techniques and has even drawn comparisons to celebrities. Currently, he has over 11.1k followers, a number that will likely skyrocket in the coming days. One can find him and his tapri on the Ravindra Nath Tagore Marg in Nagpur, Maharashtra.