Pak Chaiwala to Maha Khumb's Monalisa: Commoners who went viral

Social media is a modern tool that can make or break anyone’s life in seconds. For some, it’s a stage where their creativity, humor, or even a casual remark can resonate with millions, turning them into viral sensations. The same platform that builds can overwhelm, as public attention often brings with it scrutiny, pressure, and even criticism. Today we will look at some people, who shot to fame overnight whether due to their humor, talent, or just personality.

Amber eyes, a dusky complexion, a unique name, and a unique way of speaking- were all it took for Mona Bhonsle, a garland seller, to go viral on the internet. Mona is allegedly from Indore. However, since her rise to fame, Mona has been constantly harassed by people who come and click on her pictures and videos without her consent. Not being able to cope with the overbearing crowd, Mona has stopped selling her merchandise at the Mahakumbh and has gone back home.
Source: Instagram/@shivam_bikaneri_official

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracts visitors from all walks of life. Among the many attendees, a unique figure has captured everyone's attention—the “Muscular Baba” from Russia, renowned for his impressive, well-defined physique. Atma Prem Giri Maharaj, 7 feet tall, has caused quite a stir at the Mahakumbh. Some are even calling him the incarnation of Parasuram. Hailing from Russia, he currently lives in Nepal. He has been an ardent follower of Hinduism for about 30 years, as per reports.
Source: X/@Jitendr39310972

If Mona Lisa’s case exemplifies the negative impact social media can have on a person’s life, the story of the Pakistani Chaiwala highlights its transformative power to change someone’s destiny overnight. Arshad Khan, known for his striking looks, was discovered by photographer Jiah Ali, who captured his photo while he was selling tea at a Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad. The photograph quickly went viral on social media, earning Khan the endearing nickname "Chaiwala" (tea seller). Recently, Arshad Khan has achieved a significant milestone by opening a new cafe, aptly named "Chai Cafe," on Ilford Lane in London, an area predominantly inhabited by Asian communities.
Source: TOI

Bhuban Badyakar, the man behind the viral "Kacha Badam" song, became a sensation when his tune dominated social media feeds and took over countless FYP pages. A resident of Kuraljuri village in the Dubrajpur block of West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Bhuban lives with his family of five, which includes his wife, two sons, and a daughter. He earns a living by selling peanuts in exchange for small trinkets and broken household items.
Source: TOI

Jasmeen Kaur, who has been running a boutique for 18 years, never imagined that a casual line she said during an Insta live—‘So beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a WOW, just looking like a WOW’—would become a social media sensation. After her viral moment, Jasmeen said that she was just giving interviews back to back.
Source: Instagram/@designmachinesuitslive

He drives a Lamborghini, owns multiple luxury cars, and even has an office in Dubai—this is the remarkable story of Dolly Chaiwala, who rose to fame after serving tea to Bill Gates during his visit to India. According to reports, Sunil Patel, the man behind "Dolly ki Tapri" in Nagpur, earns between ₹2,450 and ₹3,500 daily, thanks to the impressive sales of 350 to 500 cups of tea each day.
Source: X