Dolly Chaiwala is holidaying in the Maldives!

After his famous brush with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Nagpur based tea seller Dolly Chaiwala is now savouring his fame with a week long holiday in the Maldives.

The eclectic tea seller caught netizens’ fancy with the pizzazz with which he served up humble cups of chai from his thela over the years. His popularity has apparently attracted an invitation former Local Government Authority (LGA) vice-president Shujau Hussain.

Who invited Dolly to the Maldives?

Reports say Shujau invited Dolly to visit the Maldives after learning about his desire to holiday here. Dolly is scheduled to stay in the country for a week, as mentioned by Shujau.”This is an invitation for him to experience the beauty and culture of the Maldives,” reports quote Shujao as saying.

On Instagram, Dolly is sharing glimpses of his Maldives holiday, including pictures posing with actor Sohail Khan at the Velana International Airport. He is lodging at Adaaran Hudhuranfushi in Malé Atoll along with his two children, say reports.

From chai wala to jet setter

For the past 17 years, Dolly has been selling tea on the streets, captivating many with his unique style. His distinctive glasses, hairstyle, and necklace have become his trademark. With over 2.1 million followers on Instagram, Dolly is now revelling in his popularity. The high point came in February this year when Microsoft founder Bill Gates dropped in at his stall and had a cup of chai, making Dolly the toast of social media once again.

Dolly is now relishing the perks of his popularity as well. Brand collaborations have already begun. A week ago, he collaborated with Stamina Savor, a herb-infused handpicked coffee, and posted the ad on his Instagram handle. A couple of days ago, Dolly posted again – this time in a Rolls Royce showroom, with the caption “Who says a chaiwala can’t buy a Rolls Royce?”

Dolly’s choice of holiday may not have come at an opportune time, given the strained relations between India and the Maldives. Comments on his timeline indicate that Dolly may have unwittingly succumbed to an invitation that may not bode well for his careers as an influencer.

Right now, Dolly is chilling in the tropical paradise, enjoying the benefits of being a tea seller turned rock star.