Draft:Arshad Khan (Chaiwala)

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Arshad Khan
Born
NationalityPakistani
Other namesChaiwala
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, Model
Years active2016-present
Known forChaiwala Café

Arshad Khan, popularly known as the Arshad Khan Chaiwala, is a Pakistani tea seller who shot to fame in 2016 when a photograph of him working at his tea stall went viral[1]. His striking looks and piercing blue eyes captivated the internet, leading to a modeling career and the launch of his own café brand in Islamabad. Khan's entrepreneurial journey took a significant leap in 2023 when he expanded his café brand internationally, opening a branch in East London[2][3]. With plans to open more outlets across the UK and beyond.

Early life[edit]

Arshad Khan, popularly recognized as Chaiwala (tea seller), gained widespread attention when a candid photograph of him went viral on the internet in 2016.[4] As a young and attractive blue-eyed boy, he worked as a humble tea seller at a roadside stall (Dhabba) in Islamabad. Given his circumstances, a prosperous and luxurious life seemed distant. At the time the photograph was taken in October 2016, Arshad Khan was just 16 years old. Photographer Javeria Ali captured the casual image while he was serving tea to a customer and shared it on her Instagram with the caption: "Hot Tea".[5][6]

Rise to fame[edit]

Arshad Khan's remarkable appearance, characterized by his captivating blue eyes and a compelling, serious demeanor, propelled him to instant fame. The revelation of his newfound celebrity status occurred when a surge of children, men, and women flocked to the Dhabba where he worked, eager to take pictures with him. Soon, his image was ubiquitous on social media, magazine covers, and television broadcasts began featuring his story. Following his rapid rise to stardom, Arshad Khan, hailing from a conservative Pashtun family in Mardan, became widely known as the "Chaiwala".[5]

Career[edit]

Modelling career[edit]

Following the viral success of his photograph, Arshad Khan transitioned into a career as a model[7], capitalizing on his newfound fame.[4] He ventured into modeling and performance, showcasing his talents in the industry.[6] [8]Notably, he secured a contract with Fitin.pk, an online shopping site headquartered in Islamabad. They featured him as a model for their menswear, utilizing his images to showcase their clothing line.[4][9]

Entrepreneurship[edit]

Motivated to leverage his fame for a meaningful impact, Arshad Khan took the opportunity to open a café.[6] He established his own Rooftop Café brand in Islamabad.[10][11] His primary drive behind this venture was to generate employment opportunities for individuals, enabling them to sustain their households. Arshad emphasized that while one café would have sufficed for him, he chose to create an entire brand to ensure that multiple households could benefit from the cafes, extending the positive impact beyond his own family.[6]

International Expansion[edit]

In June 2023, Arshad Khan's Café Chaiwala achieved an international milestone by inaugurating its inaugural branch outside of Pakistan, situated on East London's Ilford Lane. The Chaiwala brand made its debut in London through an exclusive venture led by three investor brothers, Bahadar Durrani, Nadir Durrani, and Akbar Durrani. Their vision includes ambitious plans to expand and franchise numerous outlets across a global scale, spanning the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.[5][12][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Arshad Khan, viral Chaiwala from Pakistan, gives a tour of his cafe in Lahore. Watch video". India Today. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  2. ^ "Viral blue-eyed Pakistani chaiwala Arshad Khan opens cafe in London". Hindustan Times. 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  3. ^ "Who Is Arshad Khan, The Blue-Eyed Pakistani Chaiwala Who Got Global Fame For His Striking Looks And Now Owns A Cafe In London?". Zee News. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  4. ^ a b c "Pakistani 'chai wala' turns model after finding fame". BBC News. October 19, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Pakistan's international sensation Chaiwala Arshad Khan opens outlet in London". www.thenews.com.pk.
  6. ^ a b c d "'Chaiwala' wants multiple households to benefit from his cafes". The Express Tribune. September 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "The tea seller who became a model – DW – 11/01/2016". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  8. ^ "Pakistani chaiwala Arshad Khan gets his first commercial ad". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  9. ^ "Pakistani Chaiwala Arshad Khan walked the ramp and floored everyone! (See hot pictures) | India.com". www.india.com. 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  10. ^ Desk, Web (May 20, 2021). "Arshad Khan Chaiwala set to open chain of cafes in London". ARY NEWS.
  11. ^ "Throwback: When Pakistan's 'handsome chaiwala' gave a tour of his Islamabad cafe". TimesNow. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  12. ^ "From Islamabad dhabba to London: Chaiwala Arshad Khan's unstoppable journey". www.geo.tv.
  13. ^ "From teaboy to international sensation: Arshad Khan hopes to brew success in London with Café Chaiwala". Arab News PK. May 23, 2023.

Category:Pakistani male models Category:Living people Category:People from Islamabad Category:People from Mardan District Category:Viral videos