An amazing story of Arshad, who used to run a tea stall in Pakistan. From rags to riches the young, charming blue-eyed chaiwala became an internet sensation in no time when a photographer Jiah Ali floated his picture on the internet in 2016. Within two months, he rose to fame and interestingly, in 2023 he now owns a cafe on East London’s Ilford Land known as Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan which yet again brought into spotlight.
“After that picture went viral, raaton raat meri zindagi badal gayi,” he shares, “Things have changed for me financially, personally, and professionally. Earlier, I was able to wear anything, eat anywhere, or do anything that I wanted to do. But now, there are certain boundaries that come with fame. I have to see what I am doing, wearing and where I am eating or sitting.”
“The media came and interviewed me after the picture went viral. For as long as two months, I remained confused about what was happening with me,” recalls Arshad, about how events unfurled for him.
He even worked for some brands and ads in Pakistan. “I have also starred in some songs and TV shows that me and my team created and launched,” he recounts.
Despite all the fame and rigour, his life was not as smooth as it seems to be. “There were some challenges in the beginning as I wasn’t even using a smartphone before all this. I didn’t know how to talk to the media.”
With time he has learned to combat such challenges. “My family didn’t approve of one of the songs I did and complained to me about this career choice,” he reveals, adding, “But, over time, they saw the passion and commitment I had for my craft, and their reservations turned into unwavering support.”
