Ae Bhutkun, do cup chai banao, kadak!
(Hey Bhutkun, make two cups of tea, strong!)
You’d be living under a rock if you hadn’t heard these lines, either through the various Instagram reels about chai on your phone or while watching the wildly famous slice of village life web series Panchayat.
Tea and coffee are deeply steeped in our daily lives. It inspires the cinema, music, literature and pop culture around, but many times it does the other way around. Remember how ‘chai dates’ became a thing after Aisha tells Sid that the two of them and two cups of tea is enough to call it a ‘party’. So today, we look at such memorable tea and coffee moments from pop culture both from India and around the world - and how they influenced the way we bond with each other, one delightful sip at a time.
Table of contents
- Witnessing Village Life, The Banrakas Way
- When Captain Cool Chose Chai Over GPS
- 25 Din Mein Paisa Double Wali Chai
- When Coffee Became Everyone's F.R.I.E.N.D
- Two Cups Of Chai Makes It A Party
- Coffee, Comedy and the American Dream
- Tea, Titles and Cultural Bridges in Bridgerton
- First Coffee, Then Everything Else
- The Ultimate Chai Lover Anthem from Bollywood
- When Tea Became Taylor's Power Move
- Coffee Gets Its Own Pop Anthem
- Koffee, Konfessions and Karan
- Elementary, My Dear Cuppa
- From Edinburgh Cafes to Hogwarts
- Convenience and Innovation in Tea and Coffee
- Some concluding thoughts…
- Frequently Asked Questions
Witnessing Village Life, The Banrakas Way
Since we started off talking about the web series Panchayat, one of our favourite bits plays out at the village chai tapri (small tea shop), where the village troublemaker Bhushan aka Banrakas, his aide Binod watches and chit chats about Abhishek Tripathi aka Sachivji's (played by Jitendra Kumar) predicaments of running the panchayat office in a remote village of Uttar Pradesh.
The one scene which cracks us up is when the duo are watching Sachivji struggle with various things outside the Panchayat office. But instead of helping him out, they ask each other ek-ek cup chai aur bol diya jaaye? For they are actually enjoying poor Sachivji’s hilarious struggle to cope with the village life.
Just like in the show, whether at a modest stall or a quiet corner, tea continues to be the thread that weaves people and conversations together. That familiar urge we all know - "Ek ek cup chai aur ho jaye?" - speaks to our collective love for this comforting beverage.
While we might not have a Bhutkun ready to serve us tea everywhere we go, instant tea premix offers a convenient solution for those chai cravings. It's perfect for those moments when you need your tea fix without compromising on taste or time.
When Captain Cool Chose Chai Over GPS
Chalo chai pi lete hain (Let's have some tea first). These words from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, spoken when lost in a remote Uttarakhand village, perfectly capture our nation's philosophy around tea - that any situation, even being lost, becomes more manageable over a cup of chai.
In a viral video that warmed hearts across social media, our former cricket captain MS Dhoni, fondly known as 'Captain Cool', lived up to his nickname when faced with a directional dilemma. Lost in a picturesque but unfamiliar village in Uttarakhand, Dhoni was seen on his phone, trying to get directions from locals. But what happened next was peak Dhoni - and peak Indian tea culture. Instead of fretting about the lost path, he simply declared Chalo chai pi lete hain, raasta baad mein dekhenge (Let's have tea first, we'll figure out the way later).
This moment, captured by a local resident on their smartphone, reminds us why Dhoni earned the moniker 'Captain Cool'. Just as he would remain unruffled while facing the final over of the 2011 World Cup match, here was Mahi, treating a lost journey as an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing chai break.
25 Din Mein Paisa Double Wali Chai
Who hasn't heard of "25 din mein paisa double"? Just like Banrakas and his tea-time observations in Panchayat, this iconic scene from Phir Hera Pheri shows how roadside chai tapris become stages for life's most entertaining moments. Raju (Akshay Kumar) pitches his get-rich-quick scheme to Pappu (Rajpal Yadav) over steaming cups of chai - because let's face it, what better place to discuss dubious investment plans than our trusted neighbourhood tea stall? Just as Sachivji's village struggles are better viewed over tea, even questionable financial advice somehow sounds more convincing with the aroma of masala tea in the air!
When Coffee Became Everyone's F.R.I.E.N.D
"How you doin'?" with your coffee? At Central Perk, six friends turned coffee breaks into life lessons that resonated worldwide, including right here in India. Before we had our modern café culture, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. showed us how hanging out at a coffee shop could be cooler than a party. Rachel's journey from a struggling waitress who couldn't tell a cappuccino from an espresso to a fashion executive mirrors our own evolution from simple chai lovers to contemporary café hoppers. And just like how we can't imagine starting our day without our instant tea premix, the Central Perk gang couldn't function without their daily coffee fix!
Two Cups Of Chai Makes It A Party
"Yeh bhi toh party hai... tum, main aur do cup chai" - these words from Wake Up Sid's Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma) capture the heart of Indian tea culture. Just like Dhoni finding comfort in chai when lost in Uttarakhand, Aisha shows us how two people and two cups of tea are enough to make any moment special.
Like the warm aroma of Wagh Bakri tea that brings people together and hamesha rishtey banaye, this heartwarming scene reminds us that celebrations don't always need grand gestures. Sometimes, it takes genuine company and a humble cup of chai to create moments worth remembering.
Coffee, Comedy and the American Dream
Remember when regular coffee dates weren't really a thing in India? While we were cherishing our chai tapris, across the ocean at Monk's Café, four quirky New Yorkers were turning coffee meetings into an art form. In Seinfeld, that cosy diner became the stage where Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer would dissect life's minutest details - from double-dipping chips to the rules of calling back after a date. Just like our nukkad ki chai (corner tea shop) conversations, their coffee-fueled debates made the ordinary extraordinary. And George's obsession with getting the right coffee order? Well, let's just say it rivals our strong chai enthusiasts!
Tea, Titles and Cultural Bridges in Bridgerton
While Queen Charlotte sips her tea with royal precision, it's Kate Sharma who brings the familiar comfort of Indian chai to London's high society. It's fascinating how our beloved chai, which we casually enjoy at every nukkad, becomes a symbol of cultural sophistication in the Ton. Just like how our instant tea premix bridges the gap between convenience and tradition today, Kate's chai rituals bridge two worlds in Bridgerton's London, proving that whether served in fine bone china or a humble kulhad, tea continues to bring people together.
First Coffee, Then Everything Else
If you think Indians are passionate about their tea, meet the Gilmore Girls! Much like how Sachivji from Panchayat needs his morning chai to tackle village politics, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore navigate their small-town life powered by endless cups of coffee from Luke's Diner. Their famous "I need coffee in an IV" moments remind us of our own chai enthusiasts who insist "Ek aur cup ho jaye?" (One more cup?) when life gets overwhelming. It's amazing how, whether it's a small-town diner in Stars Hollow or a village tapri in Phulera, these beverages become more than just drinks - they're liquid courage for life's adventures!
The Ultimate Chai Lover Anthem from Bollywood
"Ek garam chai ki pyali ho, koi usko pilane wali ho..." (A cup of hot tea and someone to serve it...) If there was ever an anthem for chai lovers, this has to be it! Composed and sung by the ever-entertaining Anu Malik (yes, the same judge from Indian Idol who'd exclaim "tu aag laga dega aag!" when impressed by contestants), along with Sadhana Sargam, this song perfectly captures the romance of chai in Indian culture. Just like how Bankas can't resist commenting on village life over his tea, Malik couldn't help but create this peppy ode to our favourite beverage. The song from Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (1996) doesn't just celebrate tea - it celebrates the entire culture of chai romance in India. And let's be honest, who hasn't hummed this tune while waiting for their morning cup? Perhaps even Anu Malik himself hums it during those Indian Idol tea breaks!
When Tea Became Taylor's Power Move
Well, Taylor Swift chose tea to serve some serious attitude! In her "Look What You Made Me Do" video, that iconic tea-sipping moment wasn't just about the beverage - it was Swift's way of saying "ab maza ayega" (now the fun begins). Just like how our tapri uncles dramatically pour tea from a height, Taylor turned tea drinking into a statement of power. Who knew our humble chai could pack such a punch in a pop music video?
Coffee Gets Its Own Pop Anthem
While we've been singing about garam chai, Sabrina Carpenter decided to give coffee its moment in the spotlight with "Espresso." Think of it as the caffeinated cousin of our chai songs! Just as we compare the strength of our relationships to kadak chai, Carpenter uses espresso as a metaphor for being unforgettable. When she sings "That's that me espresso," it's like our desi "ek cup aur" (one more cup) moment - both equally irresistible!
Whether it's our beloved Anu Malik singing about garam chai, Taylor Swift's dramatic tea moment or Sabrina's coffee-themed beats, these beverages continue to inspire artists across cultures. And while not all of us can make our tea-drinking look as dramatic as Taylor's, we can certainly make it taste just as good with our instant tea premix!
Koffee, Konfessions and Karan
"Aap ke coffee mein kuch kala hai!" (There's something fishy in your coffee!) That's what everyone thinks when celebrities take the infamous couch on Koffee with Karan! Just like how Banrakas observes village drama over his chai at the tapri, Karan Johar serves up Bollywood gossip with his signature coffee hampers. While our Captain Cool Dhoni might prefer his simple village chai, B-town's finest sip on fancy coffee while spilling piping hot celebrity chai (gossip). The show has made coffee conversations so iconic that now even regular coffee dates come with a dash of "rapid fire" questions!
Elementary, My Dear Cuppa
While we have Sachivji solving Phulera's problems while Banrakas waits for it to go wrong over kadak chai, across the pond, literature's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, cracks London's most baffling cases with his trusty cup of English tea. Just as our tapri chai helps clear the morning fog, Holmes' tea ritual brings clarity to his famous deductions. After all, whether you're solving village disputes or hunting down criminal masterminds, a cup of tea makes everything elementary!
From Edinburgh Cafes to Hogwarts
Before Harry Potter cast his spell on the world, J.K. Rowling was just another writer in an Edinburgh café, turning coffee into magic one cup at a time. Much like how our chai tapri conversations turn into stories, Rowling's coffee-fueled writing sessions transformed into tales of wizarding wonder. And while Hogwarts students might prefer their Butterbeer, their creator was powered by good old coffee!
Speaking of magical brews, while we can't promise our instant tea premix will help you write the next fantasy bestseller or solve crimes like Holmes, it certainly delivers that perfect cup of chai every time - no wizardry required!
Convenience and Innovation in Tea and Coffee
From Banrakas' village tapri to Monica's New York apartment, we've travelled through countless tea and coffee moments in pop culture. But here's the thing - you don't need to be lost in Uttarakhand like Dhoni or sitting at Central Perk to create your own magical tea moment.
Imagine recreating that magic effortlessly with Wagh Bakri Instant Tea, those heart-warming scenes we love can come alive in your own kitchen!
Think about it - while Sid and Aisha made memories with their "do cup chai" party, you can create your own celebration anytime. No need to wait for Bhutkun to brew your kadak chai or for Rachel to serve your coffee (which, let's be honest, might be for the best!). Just add hot water and voilà - you're ready for your own pop culture moment!
Some concluding thoughts…
But the real magic? It's in how these stories continue in our daily lives. Whether you're having a quick cup between meetings (channelling your inner Captain Cool) or planning a cosy evening with friends (Central Perk style), these moments are your own addition to the endless story of tea and coffee culture.
With Wagh Bakri tea offering innovative instant tea options, you don’t have to miss out on your favourite brew no matter where you are. And now you can even buy tea online at your convenience. Whether it’s tea or coffee, these timeless beverages continue to bring people together and make every moment special.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Wagh Bakri instant tea different from others?
Wagh Bakri instant tea offers authentic Indian flavours like masala chai and elaichi chai, delivering a premium taste without the hassle of brewing.
2. Can instant tea and coffee match the flavour of traditional brews?
Yes, instant tea and coffee are crafted to preserve the original flavour, ensuring you get the same satisfaction in every cup.
3. Are there any sugar-free options available?
Many brands, including Wagh Bakri, offer sugar-free instant tea and coffee variants to cater to health-conscious individuals.
4. What are some popular flavours in instant tea?
Masala chai, ginger tea, elaichi chai and lemongrass tea are among the most loved flavours of instant tea.
