After speculation on social media about Starbucks India appointing Pune-based tea vendor and content creator Dolly Chaiwala as its brand ambassador, the company denied the rumours in an official statement on Monday. The confusion was caused by a viral meme that featured a Starbucks cup with Dolly Chaiwala’s name, Sunil Patil, written on it.
The meme also featured the content creator, who collaborated with Bill Gates last year. Sharing the image, X user Dixit Dave wrote, “Dolly Chaiwala became the brand ambassador of Starbucks India.”
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Dolly Chaiwala became the brand ambassador of Starbucks India pic.twitter.com/YjN3G2wNWW
— Dixit Dave (@dixit_dave_) April 1, 2025
Soon after the speculation created a buzz on social media, Starbucks India, clarified that the company does not have any brand ambassadors in India. “We have noted recent social media posts suggesting that TATA Starbucks has appointed an official brand ambassador. We would like to clarify that TATA Starbucks does not have any official brand ambassadors in India. Specifically, we have not entered any collaboration with Dolly Chaiwala,” the statement read.
“A meme, created independently by a third party, appears to have been misconstructed as a formal campaign. TATA Starbucks is committed to communicating with accuracy and authenticity and we value the trust of our customers and communities,” it added.
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Who is Dolly Chaiwala?
Dolly Chaiwala, a tea seller from Nagpur, became an internet sensation with his peculiar tea-making style and eye-catching appearance. Known for his flair, he wears a waistcoat, oversized sunglasses, gold chains, and sports a unique hairstyle. In his viral videos, he is often seen dramatically pouring milk into tea from a distance and serving it with quirky hand movements that sometimes catch customers off guard.
Last year, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates collaborated with Dolly and was seen enjoying a cup of tea at his stall.
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