India’s secret weapon in T20 World Cup 2024: The rise of Prafull Billore as a ‘reverse jinx’ hero
As India gears up for the IND vs. SA T20 World Cup final tonight, social media is buzzing with memes featuring a familiar Indian face plastered over South African cricket team players. This trending face belongs to Prafull Billore, known as the ‘Panauti’ (bad luck) meme sensation. But who is Billore, and why has he become so popular online?
Prafull Billore: The man behind the viral meme
Prafull Billore, the founder of MBA Chaiwala, is the man behind the viral ‘Panauti’ memes. Billore, an Indian entrepreneur, gained fame for his innovative tea-selling business that became a national chain and a social media hit.
Originally from Madhya Pradesh, Billore dropped out of his MBA program and started a tea stall with just Rs. 8,000 in 2017. His unique venture quickly gained traction, turning into a successful national chain and a social media sensation.
prafull billore
After failing the Common Admission Test (CAT), Prafull Billore started a chai shop outside IIM Ahmedabad, his dream college, with a Rs 10,000 loan from his father. Despite initial setbacks, including the demolition of his first tea stall, he persevered and set up a new Chai Thela (tea cart) outside a hospital.
Prafull's innovative approach of serving tea in earthen cups with toast and tissue quickly attracted customers. He rebranded his business as MBA Chaiwala, which stands for Mr Billore Ahmedabad, and expanded it into a successful franchise with over 50 outlets across India, achieving an annual turnover of more than Rs 4 crores in 2021-22.
Prafull's dedication and friendly demeanour, along with his fluency in English, won over customers and earned him invitations to prestigious events and speaking engagements at institutions like IIM and Harvard.
How Prafull Billore became associated with ‘bad luck’
The ‘Panauti’ meme trend gained traction after a viral selfie with cricketer Suryakumar Yadav. In June 2024, Billore shared an in-flight selfie with Yadav on X (formerly Twitter). The following day, Yadav scored only 6 runs in India’s T20 match against Bangladesh, leading to playful speculation about Billore’s supposed ‘panauti’ (bad luck) effect.
@surya_14kumar ❤️🔥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/RlxM0cAC3o
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 20, 2024
This wasn't the first time Billore was tagged as 'panauti'. In February 2024, fans trolled him after senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the IPL 2024 season, shortly after Billore posted a selfie with him.
Memes about Billore being a “panauti” began in March 2023. A viral YouTube interview with Manish Kashyap, who was detained in March 2023 for misinformation, and other incidents like Billore's photos with influencer Arvind Arora and businessman Gautam Adani, both of whom faced setbacks, fueled the trend.
These incidents led to MBA Chaiwala Panauti memes flooding social media, cementing Billore's reputation as a bearer of bad luck.
Prafull Billore’s clever move
Billore embraced the trolling and started a reverse jinx trend. Amid extensive trolling, he began resharing morphed images of himself with players from teams playing against India. Before the India vs. England semi-final, he posted several pictures with English cricketers like Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer in humorous poses, hoping to use his ‘jinx’ power against them.
This is viral everywhere and everyone is sending me this 🥹 pic.twitter.com/dTZ87Eimvh
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 27, 2024
🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/7nmOkaBE2U
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 27, 2024
Ye bhi thik hai !! pic.twitter.com/4Dj7t3LDnc
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 27, 2024
Netizens rallied behind Billore’s reverse jinx trend, especially after India’s decisive victory over England in the semi-finals, winning by 68 runs in Guyana on Thursday.
Thank you pic.twitter.com/3aJ1GVyLl9
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 28, 2024
Now, Billore is humorously celebrated as a “freedom fighter,” credited for helping India overcome the semi-final hurdle with his unique reverse jinx power. As India faces South Africa in the finals in Barbados tonight, the excitement is palpable, and Billore is in full swing.
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 28, 2024
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 28, 2024
Billore is now on a streak with his reverse jinx powers, posting pictures with South African players and the team. Using the hashtag #Istandwithsouthafrica, he even shared a picture of himself in front of the South African flag, continuing the whimsical narrative and keeping the meme momentum alive.
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 29, 2024
— Prafull Billore (@pbillore141) June 29, 2024
Also Read: 'MBA Chai Wala' Prafull Billore Buys Mercedes SUV Worth Over Rs 91.31 Lakh
Billore has smartly turned negative comments from trolls into a joyful narrative. One X user wrote, “Bro is making his trolls his fans.” Others appreciated his sporting attitude, adding, “He has finally understood the assignment.” Some even voiced support for Billore receiving a national award. With his clever humor, Billore continues to entertain his fans, turning the jinx into a win for everyone.
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