Draft:Arshad Khan
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Arshad Khan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Arshad Khan September 10, 1998 Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Other names | Chaiwala |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Model, Social media personality |
| Years active | 2016-present |
Arshad Khan, also known as Arshad Chaiwala, is a Pakistani entrepreneur, model, social media personality, and former tea vendor who rose to fame in 2016 after a photograph of him working at a tea stall in Islamabad went viral. The image, which captured his striking blue eyes, gained widespread attention on social media, making him an internet sensation and earning him the moniker "Chaiwala" (tea seller).[1][2][3]
Early life
[edit]Arshad Khan was born on 10 September 1998 in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He is one of 17 siblings in a Pashtun family. In search of better financial opportunities, Khan moved to Islamabad to support his family. Initially, he worked in various small jobs, including selling fruit before finding work as a tea vendor in a local market, where his life would take a dramatic turn.[4][5][6]
Rise to fame
[edit]In October 2016, a photographer named Javeria Ali captured a photograph of Khan while he was working at a tea stall in Islamabad’s Sunday Bazaar. The photo quickly went viral on social media, with Khan’s striking blue eyes and facial features gaining attention from people across the globe. The hashtag #Chaiwala trended worldwide, and Khan was soon known as "Arshad Chaiwala."[7] His sudden internet fame brought him opportunities beyond his tea stall, with offers from the media and modeling industries. Khan became a sensation not just in Pakistan but also internationally, leading to multiple media appearances and brand endorsements.[4][8]
Career
[edit]Modelling career
[edit]Following the viral success of his photograph, Arshad Khan transitioned into a career as a model[9], capitalizing on his newfound fame.[6] He ventured into modeling and performance, showcasing his talents in the industry.[5][10] 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.[6][11]
Entrepreneurship
[edit]Motivated to leverage his fame for a meaningful impact, Arshad Khan took the opportunity to open a café.[5] He established his own Rooftop Café brand in Islamabad.[12][13] The café became a popular spot, with its décor reflecting Pakistan's rich cultural heritage, including vibrant truck art and retro elements. In 2023, Khan expanded his brand internationally by opening a branch in London, UK, aiming to introduce Pakistani chai culture to a global audience.[5][4][14][15]
Television appearance
[edit]In 2024, Arshad Khan appeared as a contestant on Green Entertainment's television show Shark Tank Pakistan, where he pitched his business idea, Chaiwala & Co., to potential investors. Khan successfully secured an investment of PKR 10 million to expand his café brand, further solidifying his position as a successful entrepreneur.[16][17][18]
Controversy
[edit]In April 2025, Arshad Khan faced legal issue when Pakistan National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and immigration authorities blocked his identity documents, citing issues with his citizenship status. Khan challenged the decision in the Lahore High Court, arguing that the demand for proof of pre-1978 residency was not legally justified.[19][20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Viral blue-eyed Pakistani chaiwala Arshad Khan opens cafe in London". Hindustan Times. 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Arshad Khan, viral Chaiwala from Pakistan, gives a tour of his cafe in Lahore. Watch video". India Today. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ a b c "Pakistan's international sensation Chaiwala Arshad Khan opens outlet in London". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ a b c d "'Chaiwala' wants multiple households to benefit from his cafes". The Express Tribune. September 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Pakistani 'chai wala' turns model after finding fame". BBC News. October 19, 2016.
- ^ "What happened to the blue eyed tea maker in Pakistan?". Al Arabiya English. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Chaiwala's story 'from rags to riches'". The Nation. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "The tea seller who became a model – DW – 11/01/2016". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ "Pakistani chaiwala Arshad Khan gets his first commercial ad". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Desk, Web (May 20, 2021). "Arshad Khan Chaiwala set to open chain of cafes in London". ARY NEWS.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Throwback: When Pakistan's 'handsome chaiwala' gave a tour of his Islamabad cafe". TimesNow. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ "From Islamabad dhabba to London: Chaiwala Arshad Khan's unstoppable journey". www.geo.tv.
- ^ "From teaboy to international sensation: Arshad Khan hopes to brew success in London with Café Chaiwala". Arab News PK. May 23, 2023.
- ^ Desk, News (13 November 2024). "'Chai wala' Arshad Khan lands Rs 10 million tea brand deal on Shark Tank Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Pakistan's viral Chaiwala Arshad Khan gains national attention after massive Shark Tank deal". The Times of India. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
- ^ "Pakistan's viral blue-eyed chaiwala Arshad Khan secures Shark Tank funding to build 'chai empire'". Hindustan Times. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Why Chaiwala's CNIC blocked, asks LHC". The Express Tribune. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ Asad, Malik (9 April 2025). "Nadra suspends nationality of viral Arshad 'chaiwala'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
Category:Pakistani male models Category:Living people Category:People from Islamabad Category:People from Mardan District Category:Viral videos