Starbucks Denies Ties with Dolly Chaiwala After Viral Meme

TATA Starbucks India has officially denied claims of appointing popular content creator and tea vendor Dolly Chaiwala, also known as Sunil Patil, as its brand ambassador. The clarification came in response to a viral meme circulating on social media, which showed a Starbucks cup with Dolly Chaiwala’s name written on it — leading to widespread speculation.

The image, shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter), featured Chaiwala alongside the caption suggesting that he had become the brand ambassador for Starbucks India. The post gained significant traction, especially given Chaiwala’s rise to fame after a video collaboration with Bill Gates last year.

Amid the social media frenzy, TATA Starbucks issued a clear statement dismissing the speculation. “We have observed certain social media posts implying that TATA Starbucks has appointed an official brand ambassador. We would like to clarify that no such appointment has been made, and specifically, there is no association or collaboration with Dolly Chaiwala,” the company stated.

Starbucks further explained that the viral image was independently created and not part of any official marketing effort. “The meme in question appears to have been created by a third party and has been misinterpreted as a formal campaign. TATA Starbucks remains committed to transparent communication and values the trust of its customers and communities,” the statement added.

The incident underscores the challenges brands face in the age of viral content, where user-generated material can blur the line between fiction and official communication.