Every evening in Mardan’s Bijligarh area, the same scene
plays out. A crowd gathers near a small cart tucked beside a quiet alley. On
the cart, a stack of boiled potatoes, jars of homemade chutneys, and one man
working quickly with a practiced hand and a wide grin. His name is Umer Nawab—but
online, he’s known as Pehlwan Kachalu.
What started as a humble street food stall has turned into a
viral success story. Umer didn’t change his recipe or move to a fancier
location. He simply picked up his phone and began recording the everyday
moments of his work, mixing spices, chatting with customers, and layering
kachalu “with love,” as he says. TikTok
did the rest.
“Before TikTok, only people in the area knew about me. Now,
people from Lahore, Karachi, even from abroad, comment that they want to come
try my food,” he says. What changed? A smartphone, a few homemade videos, and a
generous helping of personality.
Instead of simply selling a traditional snack, Umer turned
his Kachalu stall into content gold. “I started showing how I prepare the
Kachalu plate layer by layer. And the final touch of love,” he shares. That behind-the-scenes
simplicity, combined with catchy one-liners and his unmistakable charisma,
resonated deeply with viewers.
One of his earliest videos unexpectedly blew up. “Overnight,
messages and orders flooded in, and people showed up saying, ‘TikTok brought us
here,’” he recalls. That single moment reshaped the trajectory of his business,
transforming it from a local favorite to a viral street food brand.
“TikTok completely transformed my business,” Umer says. “It
turned my small setup into a brand.” With over 500,000 followers and millions
of views across his videos, his stall now buzzes with energy from dawn to dusk.
Customers don’t just come for the snack, they come to meet the man behind the viral
videos. “People trust what they see. When they watch how I make the food
with my own hands, they feel connected,” he explains.
His content does more than just showcase food. It tells a
story, about pride in one’s roots, hard work, and the beauty of everyday life.
“It’s not just about selling a snack. It’s about showing where I come from and
the culture behind Kachalu,” he says. For many viewers, Pehlwan Kachalu is not
just a vendor, but a symbol of local flavor meeting modern fame.
Even now, Umer stays close to his audience. He replies to
comments, makes videos based on suggestions, and warmly welcomes fans who
travel just to meet the “TikTok Kachalu Wala.”
The connection is real, and it’s this sincerity that has fueled his growth.
His advice to others? “Start sharing. Be real. TikTok gave
me a platform and that platform gave me success.”
With plans to expand his stall and introduce his own line of
sauces, Umer isn’t slowing down. He’s building something bigger, not just for
himself, but for anyone who dares to dream from behind a street cart.
