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Arshad Khan, aka #Chaiwala, will make his runway debut today

He's walking on the final day of Bridal Couture Week in Lahore - guess which designer he's showstopping for!

27 Nov, 2016

Just when we thought that Pakistan’s most popular tea vendor Arshad Khan's five minutes of fame were over, news comes in that he is making his foray into runway modeling tonight.

According to the PR managers of the ongoing Bridal Couture Week in Lahore, Arshad Khan is walking as showstopper for Ziggi Menswear, a UK-based menswear brand that specialises in making groomswear for “the modern Majaraja”.

Who knows where he could go from here?

Arshad Khan was spotted looking quite gentlemanly in a cobalt blue suit at Faletti's Hotel, where Bridal Couture Week is being held. Wonder if he'll swap for the suit for a Ziggi sherwani?

Arshad Khan was discovered at Sunday Bazaar chai stall while going about his usual business of making tea. Photographer Jiah Ali took his picture during a weekend photo walk and uploaded it on social media, not knowing the photograph was soon to go viral.

The photo where it also started - Photograph by Jiah Ali

Apart from instantly gaining legions of female fans, Arshad Khan also got a modeling contract with retail site fitin.pk and even strutted his stuff at a makeshift runway on a morning show soon after.

Looks like he's already got some practice for his formal runway debut tonight!

Comments

Mahmood Nov 27, 2016 05:18pm

Hold the tea cups! The poor guy is being exploited, and being used! He looked much better as a humble chai-wallah, with his rugged original looks!

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the end is near Nov 27, 2016 05:24pm

Its really sad to see all this because other innocent chaiwallas also deserve one chance to become that famous.

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manto Nov 27, 2016 05:32pm

Please don't spoil the simple Chaiwala please. I am sure he must be living better life before he come into the big picture. Someone please save him and send him back to dhaba!

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macha Nov 27, 2016 05:35pm

Mr. Arshed Khan still you have time to run away, they will destroy your dunia and akhira.

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A Jan Nov 27, 2016 05:37pm

:) Good luck to him!

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Truth Nov 27, 2016 06:07pm

Run away from the runway. It is the road to ruins, broken hearts, and misery. Fashion models are discarded here, well yes, like last decades' car models. All the glitz and glamour will and fake friends will make you wish you were still selling chai and had never bee in the glare of a camera!

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PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN) Nov 27, 2016 06:15pm

I think he looks quite better in his original getup and gesture rather than an artificial look.

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Non conformist Nov 27, 2016 07:34pm

We all are expressing our opinions just to show what we want. He is an adult man please let him do as he wishes.

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Syedchaudhrygangadinkhan Nov 27, 2016 07:44pm

@Mahmood :Poor guy? Exploitation? He has a mouth, doesn't he?

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MUHAMMAD ASAD AMJAD Nov 27, 2016 07:53pm

now he needs to do some extra effort to make his future path.

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Awan Nov 27, 2016 07:56pm

Pakistani People Philosphy--> Donald Trump is bad because he is racist. But it is alright when we will elevate some person based on the fair skin and those attributes that are akin to the European nations. America should end racism, but we have every right to promote the racism?. Unfortunately Pakistani Society is very racist and we do not even know about it. The Chaiwala has not been selected for his intellect or some extraordinary accomplishment. He has looks to succeed in a society like Pakistan.

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majid malik Nov 27, 2016 08:18pm

maybe one day he goes in acting and make a good living. even though he says it is no good but he may change his mind.

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Javed Sultan Nov 27, 2016 08:22pm

In a society where opportunities to advance is not dependent on talent or hardwork but being born to wealthy parents - let a Chaiwala. improve his lot in every which way he can. With the money he has he can move on to opening a restaurant chain. He needs to dream and dream big.

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asad Nov 27, 2016 08:28pm

Poor guy looks so reluctant in his "gentlemanly" blue suit! Hopefully someone comes forward and guide him through this hell and with his initial contract money help him start his own restaurant or something. He has no idea what he is getting into.

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Mother Kashmir Nov 27, 2016 09:15pm

All the best for Arshad Khan ahead. Inshallah he will get more fame & money. Maybe some director from Bollywood find him fit for some Khan's role in his film,after all too many Khans already at work in Bollywood.

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S. A. M. Nov 27, 2016 10:09pm

do not have any fear. you only gain by stepping into the world of lights and camera etc. be very focus on what you do and you shall be successful. remember not to spend all the money that you earn

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PAB Nov 27, 2016 10:15pm

There is nothing wrong moving forward in life and making life better! We all have done it. We all need that first step to climb and the rest flight is up to us! Every one deserves one chance in life in true sense. To some it up, if Modi chaiwala can become a Prime Minister of our neighboring country than why not this guy? Kudos to him!

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nasr Nov 27, 2016 10:31pm

Make up will never make you up but will definitely ruin you. He is being greedily exploited. he openly have said he needs money to support his big family. I hope there are some sincere managers around him

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Mammot Nov 27, 2016 10:46pm

He is an adult man and can decide on his own whats better for him. Let him live the way he want.

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Wawaji Nov 27, 2016 11:03pm

Maulana Shirani & Co. of Islamic Idealogy Counsel is working on harassment of men by women :)….give him a strong cup of tea.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Nov 28, 2016 12:59am

My driver from KPK looks just like him. Can he be a model as well? Majority of our brothers from KPK looks like him.

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shawn Nov 28, 2016 02:19am

so sad

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Sami Nov 28, 2016 03:48am

He needs to spend more time in the gym to become a successful model. Gain some muscles. You have nice face but very average body.

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billy Nov 28, 2016 04:30am

Whose clothing is this? is there any such thing called proper fitting? Shape?

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AT THE RATE Nov 28, 2016 05:23am

keep moving bro.

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shawn Nov 28, 2016 05:35am

@the end is near he didnt become famous because he serves chai? its because he happened to be photogenic as well...... and yes i dont think he feels like himself wearing western clothing looking at that picture

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M-tAm Nov 28, 2016 05:36am

It seems we have taken away his innocence... but good luck to him

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the morning star Nov 28, 2016 07:17am

Judging from his looks he is a sober and sensible man. Life is a challenge so why not he should go for it. Do not sign any contract beyond 1-2 years and not without an exit clause.

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FrUit wala Nov 28, 2016 08:35am

I think he will do very well also hope he changes his mind about acting he will be the best looking actor on both sides of the LOC he will ease relations with India as most of his fans are there. The script is already ready a poor chai wala gets noticed by a photographer and then goes viral it would be his story from rags to riches but wait a minute let's make it believable a poor chai wala is discovered and then is exploited and then chewed up and spat out, he should be wise and use the money he makes in setting up his own chai stall.

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JS Nov 28, 2016 10:08am

He has run into ways run by others he does not know. Hoping that he listens to his inner voice and stays away from the runway.

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Nomi Nov 28, 2016 10:17am

Make over has destroyed his innocent & charismatic looks. lets hope he's charging good for all contracts and not being exploited at the hands of Mafia.

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ak Nov 28, 2016 10:26am

O for God's sake, give him a shalwar kameez already. He's a desi, dont you get it. He doesn't look good in these monkey suits.

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Muhammad Faizan Shamsi Nov 28, 2016 10:48am

Modeling needs a specific state of mind, only having nice face is not enough to be a model. The way he is standing in above pictures shows that he is not made of that material... Pakistani channels should start talent hunt reality program in which only poor people are allowed to showcase their talent. That will give all the deserving people a chance to try their LUCK.

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mohsin Nov 28, 2016 10:59am

In artificial look, he is not more than a boy with fair complexion. thousands of tea makers looks better than him.

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Chris Roberts Nov 28, 2016 11:07am

@Truth You raise some very valid points, but it is also true that life is multi-faceted, and even if he does go back to what he was doing before, having the opportunity to be a model with all it entails is still an interesting experience. Being exposed to another field is never a bad thing - it's another chance to come into contact with new people and be a part of what's out there.

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Haroon Nov 28, 2016 12:08pm

He looks so uncomfortable and unhappy. Let him go back and enjoy his normal life. Happiness is not about fame and money its about enjoying your life in your own comfort zone.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 28, 2016 01:39pm

Welcome to the club.

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Khalid Khan Nov 28, 2016 08:10pm

You have the same brain as everybody else, only poverty kept you away from education, but God has given you another trait "your looks." Take full advantage of God's grace and don't listen to the negative remarks. They are jealous.

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Hamaad Nov 28, 2016 08:18pm

He needs to hire a tutor and get educated. He is still young and if he works hard, in a few years he should be caught up with his age level.

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DERVAISH KHAN Nov 29, 2016 07:08am

One lusty eye captured his looks and he became a Rasputin.

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Amer Rao Nov 29, 2016 07:40am

He has really good chance in Hollywood. Very best wishes.

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