US based techie Maninder Singh returns to India to sell Rajma Chawal, Soya Chaap and more; viral video sparks debate
Singh, who once worked in the US IT sector, now runs a modest food stall in Punjab's Mohali.
His journey, recently featured in a viral Instagram video by food content platform 'Foodler', has sparked widespread discussion — not just about career choices but about how India perceives work and dignity.
In the video, Singh stands in front of his stall, speaking calmly about leaving his IT career behind. 'I've worked in retail, call centres, tech — everything. I spent over three years in New York,' he says.
After returning home following the death of his father, Singh decided to start afresh — but not in a corporate role.
Instead, he found inspiration closer to home — in his wife's cooking. 'She's a brilliant cook. So I thought, why not build something around her skills?' Singh explains.
His small venture has been drawing steady crowds and, thanks to the video, even more curiosity online.
His story has reignited conversations around how success is defined — and who gets to define it.
For Singh, it seems, fulfilment now comes not from office cabins or overseas paychecks, but from the steady sizzle of a street-side kadhai.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
19 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
Highest Grossing Indian Movies At The Overseas Box Office 2025: Coolie and Saiyaara fight to claim the top spot; Empuraan at 3rd
Coolie released last week at the box office. It took a record breaking start among Kollywood movies at the worldwide box office and has crossed Rs 400 crore worldwide too, as at Tuesday, the 19th of August. It has slowed down drastically and even a Rs 500 crore finish seems unlikely now. The movie packed around USD 17 million plus extended weekend and was expected to top Saiyaara as the year's highest grosser in the overseas market among Indian movies, but there's a twist in the tale. Coolie And Saiyaara Fight To Emerge The Highest Grossing Indian Movie Of The Year, Internationally Coolie, after putting up a near record-breaking Kollywood weekend in overseas, crashed on Monday. Even a USD 20 million global seems like a touch and go for Coolie, if it keeps falling the way it is. On the other hand, Saiyaara is still very steady at the overseas box office after one week. If Saiyaara continues holding, especially in US/Canada, it can end up as the year's highest grosser. This is the tightest it has ever got, and all credit goes to Coolie for it. Going by the presales, Coolie looked like doing even USD 30 million, while a USD 1 million would also be seen as a victory for a movie like Saiyaara. But as they say, box office is completely unpredictable. Empuraan Stations Itself As The 3rd Highest Grossing Indian Movie Overseas, So Far We have a Malayalam movie - Empuraan, in the top 3. It was on top since April but then, Saiyaara and Coolie crossed it. A Malayalam movie to be in top 3 can mean three things. The Mollywood film market is getting bigger, the other movie industries are not performing to their potential, or both. Here is the list of top 5 highest grossing Indian movies at the overseas box office in 2025 Rank Movie Overseas Gross So Far (USD) 1 Saiyaara 18 million (33 days) 2 Coolie 17.50 million (6 days) 3 Empuraan 16.90 million 4 Thudarum 11 million 5 Chhaava 10.25 million Coolie And Saiyaara In Theatres Coolie and Saiyaara, both play in theatres now. Both movies are still in contention to become the highest grossing Indian movie in the overseas markets this year. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
Fashion Value Chain
19 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Ishaan Khatter Leads BOSS Fall/Winter 2025 Campaign
BOSS has unveiled its Fall/Winter 2025 campaign, 'Be the Next', placing a strong focus on the 'Be' from its global platform 'Be Your Own BOSS.' The campaign highlights rising talents who are forging their own paths, with Indian actor and dancer Ishaan Khatter taking a leading role. Khatter, regarded as India's latest 'It Boy' making waves in Hollywood, embodies the ambition and individuality central to the BOSS identity. After his standout performance in HOMEBOUND, a critically acclaimed film at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Khatter has quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic names in entertainment. His artistic journey—spanning years of dedication, craft refinement, and global recognition—showcases the qualities of resilience, versatility, and passion that align with the BOSS spirit. Joining him in the campaign are global rising stars from across creative industries: English actor Aaron Pierre, soon to debut as a superhero with DC Studios; SEVENTEEN leader and K-pop icon professional tennis star Taylor Fritz; and fashion's rising muse, Amelia Gray. Together, they represent the determination and vision behind 'Be the Next' BOSS. The campaign film follows Khatter's symbolic journey through a tunnel, toward a radiant light that mirrors his aspirations and achievements. Styled in sophisticated, richly textured ensembles from the BOSS Fall/Winter 2025 collection, Khatter embodies what it means to embrace risks, challenges, and individuality while building a legacy. Reflecting on his role, Khatter stated: 'It's about staying true to yourself, pushing boundaries, and constantly striving to grow. For me, it's not just about success but about the journey and the stories we create along the way.' BOSS is amplifying this campaign globally with a 360-degree rollout, including large-scale outdoor activations and high-impact digital and static billboards in major cities. The BOSS Fall/Winter 2025 collection is now available in BOSS stores worldwide, on and via select wholesale partners.
Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Phirni, murukku and sarees: Japanese couple's authentic Indian restaurant in Japan goes viral. Watch
A heartwarming video of a Japanese couple running an Indian restaurant in Fukuoka, Japan, has gone viral on social media. Shared by travel influencer, the video showcases a cultural love story that's left netizens teary-eyed and proud. The restaurant, Indian Spice Factory, is located in Kasuga, Fukuoka.(Instagram/ sonammidhax) The restaurant, Indian Spice Factory, is located in Kasuga, Fukuoka, and is run by Nakayama-san and Sachiko-san, a Japanese duo who are deeply passionate about India. What's capturing everyone's attention is that Sachiko wears a saree while serving food, and the restaurant is filled with Indian artefacts and musical instruments, creating a truly desi ambience thousands of miles away. (Also Read: 'Bas mujhe India jana hai': Young boy misses India while exploring Japan. Watch) Watch the video here: The influencer, Sonam, wrote, "The love they had for India and Indian culture was unmatched. The whole experience was so touching and my heart was filled with love. It was truly an honour to meet Sachiko-san and Nakayama-san!" The couple serves authentic Indian cuisine, from Phirni, a classic Indian dessert, to a spread of Bengali and South Indian dishes. The food is served in clay utensils, and true to Indian traditions, meals are plated over banana leaves, just like in South India. The presence of murukku, a South Indian snack, kept in a glass jar further added to the authenticity that floored the influencer. When asked why Bengali food was on the menu, Nakayama-san revealed, 'I lived in Kolkata managing a Japanese restaurant. I've also worked in Delhi and Chennai.' The video, filled with warmth, food, and cultural fusion, has left viewers emotional and impressed with the couple's dedication to preserving and promoting Indian culture in Japan. Reactions online The video has sparked an emotional response online, with many touched by the Japanese couple's deep respect for Indian traditions and their attention to cultural detail. One user remarked, 'When we as Indians are thriving with Japanese cuisine restaurants, it's not surprising, but beautiful, to see a Japanese couple thriving with authentic Indian cuisine.' Another commented, 'Thank you for this… so overwhelming. Love from Bengal!' Echoing similar sentiments, a third viewer wrote, 'This is so heartwarming to see! How well international folks have recognised Bengali food and its culture. I hope fellow Indians also learn to appreciate our own heritage like this.' (Also Read: Japanese cameraman steals the spotlight as women dance to Badi Mushkil: 'Next level dance')
