Kolkata Chai Co. is thrilled to announce that two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian, actor, and celebrated advocate of immigrant stories, Hasan Minhaj, has officially joined the company as an investor and business partner.
Known for his extraordinary storytelling abilities, Hasan Minhaj has an unmatched talent for bringing unique, often underrepresented narratives to mainstream audiences. From his acclaimed comedy to acting, television hosting, and podcasting, Hasan has consistently evolved as a versatile, creative force. His values align perfectly with Kolkata Chai Co., both professionally and philosophically, making him the ideal partner. Above all, Hasan has remained true to his word since the very first meeting—he’s a person of character and integrity.
For the past nine months, Hasan and his team have been working closely with with them, defining a shared vision for the future of Kolkata Chai. He is not merely taking on a ceremonial role but stepping in as an active business partner—someone deeply involved in amplifying the brand, sharing his creative insight, and helping to build the first widely recognized chai brand in the West.
How Two Brothers Built Kolkata Chai Against the Odds
This partnership marks a new chapter for Kolkata Chai Co., one that began humbly on March 17, 2019, when brothers Ayan and Ani signed the lease for their first chai café at 199 East 3rd Street in New York’s East Village. The small, 120-square-foot space was a risky venture, especially considering that nearly 80% of restaurants don’t survive their first year. But as children of immigrants, survival wasn’t just a concept—it was ingrained in their upbringing. Their parents, having uprooted their lives for the American dream, knew only survival. Thriving wasn’t a priority; survival was.
Now, five years later, Ayan and Ani have dared to go “beyond survival” and into a world of limitless possibility. The journey of building Kolkata Chai has been one of embracing dreams, pushing beyond boundaries, and transforming chai into a cultural experience that resonates deeply with communities far and wide.
For those who have followed this journey, the moment is as surreal as it is exciting. The same brothers who started with a small chai café in New York City have now teamed up with Hasan Minhaj—one of Hollywood’s biggest names. As Biggie once said, “It was all a dream.” But this dream is about more than mere survival—it’s about redefining success and reimagining the American immigrant experience.
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