Dolly Chaiwala, a popular Instagram influencer, recently found himself at the center of a heated online debate after a food vlogger revealed the high fees he charges for appearances. Dolly Chaiwala gained fame after serving tea to Bill Gates during the billionaire’s visit to India for the pre-wedding celebration of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Since then, Dolly has become a sought-after figure, attending numerous events across the country and earning significant fees for his presence.
The controversy began when AK Food Vlog, a well-known food vlogger in the food vlogging community, shared his experience of attempting to invite Dolly Chaiwala to an event in Kuwait. In the video, which has since gone viral, the vlogger disclosed that Dolly charges ₹5 lakh per appearance, in addition to requiring accommodations at a luxury hotel and a travel companion. The vlogger expressed his shock at these demands, questioning whether they were justified, especially considering the growing food vlogging earnings for influencers like Dolly.
“I wanted to call him (Dolly Chaiwala) to Kuwait. But the guy has so many demands. I started just questioning my whole existence. I was like, ‘Dude, are you serious?’” the vlogger said in his video. He added that he was surprised to learn that Dolly Chaiwala even has a manager who handles his bookings and negotiations, something common among top food vloggers as they monetize their food vlogging earnings through appearances and brand deals.
The video quickly gained traction online, amassing over 21.5 million views, and sparked a debate among netizens about the fairness of Dolly Chaiwala’s charges. Some users criticized the vlogger for his reaction, suggesting that the demands were reasonable given Dolly’s popularity and the effort involved in traveling from India. “Now it is time to thank Dolly Chaiwala because of his name you got 20 million views,” one user commented, pointing out the irony of how food vlogging often relies on high-profile personalities for views.
Others defended Dolly Chaiwala, arguing that his fees were consistent with what other food vloggers and influencers charge for similar appearances. “Classic case of elitist mindset. Had it been somebody slightly different looking or coming from slightly different economic backgrounds, these would be completely fair demands. In fact, 4-5 star corporate bookings are quite fair considering he would be traveling all the way from India,” another user wrote.
The controversy highlights the broader discussion around the value of influencers, particularly those in the food vlogging industry, and the perceived elitism in how they are treated based on their background. While some see Dolly’s fees as justified for the effort and influence he brings, others view them as excessive, sparking a debate that reflects differing opinions on the worth of digital creators and their food vlogging earnings in today’s economy.
