In 2024, when Bill Gates’ first viral moment in India popped up, sitting at the chai stall of Dolly Chaiwala, the flamboyant Nagpur tea-seller known for his dramatic flair, many assumed it was a digital trick or an AI deepfake.
But no: Gates himself posted on Instagram and X, sipping chai at Dolly’s stall, with the caption, “Nothing like a good cup of chai to start the day. Who says tech and tea don’t mix?”
Fast forward to 2025, the Microsoft co-founder has taken his India journey a step further, straight into the world of Indian daily soaps.
In a promo for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 that quickly went viral, Tulsi Virani (played by Smriti Irani) is seen on a video call with none other than Bill Gates. The exchange is simple yet surreal. Tulsi greets him warmly, saying, “Jai Shri Krishna, Gates ji.” He smiles and replies, “Namaste Tulsi ji, Jai Shri Krishna.”
Tulsi adds, “It feels so nice that you’re connecting with my family all the way from America. We’re eagerly waiting for you.” Gates responds with characteristic calm, “Thank you, Tulsi ji.”
According to the production notes, his appearance connects to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s focus on maternal and child health. The show’s caption reads: “Do alag duniyaan, ek hi maqsad ke saath maa aur bachche ki sehat har ghar tak pahunchani hai.”
What looks like an unusual crossover between a tech billionaire and a TV soap star is actually a mix of entertainment and awareness. A global figure adds credibility, and a popular Indian show ensures mass reach together; they help deliver the message to a wider audience.
A JioStar spokesperson shares that Bill Gates’ presence on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 is more than a cameo; it's a symbolic collision of two worlds: India’s enduring cultural narrative and one of the world’s most influential global figures.
They further say that it signals that Indian television is a platform of relevance beyond its borders. “For years, Western platforms have amplified Indian creators. This marks a reversal of a global icon entering Indian storytelling space. By featuring a global icon like Bill Gates, the show positioned itself as current, conversation-worthy, and culturally expansive, seamlessly extending its appeal across linear and digital audiences,” the spokesperson adds.
This marks the first time a global figure has made an appearance in an Indian daily soap. Globally, though, the crossover between entrepreneurs and entertainment isn’t new; Elon Musk has appeared in Iron Man 2 (2010) and The Big Bang Theory, while Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has popped up in Friends and Baywatch.
If one looks at the larger picture, Aakash Ambani’s wedding wasn’t just a high-profile social event; it turned into a symbol of India’s growing soft power. The presence of global business leaders, Hollywood stars, and political figures turned the celebration into a cultural statement, a reminder that India today sits at the center of global attention.
In a similar vein, Bill Gates’ cameo in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 highlights how deeply India’s influence now extends into global communication. For someone of Gates’ stature to appear in one of India’s most iconic TV shows isn’t just an act of goodwill; it’s a calculated effort to localise his message for an Indian audience.
Archana Jain, CEO, PR Pundit Havas Red, says that India’s growing economic power is turning its culture into a soft power of influence. “We’re witnessing a shift from India being a market to India being a mood. When someone like Bill Gates localises his message through Indian entertainment formats, it’s symbolic. It signals that India is no longer just consuming global narratives, it’s shaping them,” she highlights.
She adds that such appearances can only build credibility when they feel authentic. Opportunistic stunts might grab attention but rarely sustain it. When done with honesty and aligned with the founder’s personality, these cultural moments can be powerful tools of connection. Relatability without credibility is just noise, but credibility paired with cultural fluency becomes true influence.
Madhukar Kumar, Founder & Chief Dreamer, Grey Cell PR, sees this as a new PR playbook where leaders use pop culture to connect with the next billion users living in India. “To reach them, brands and leaders must think like storytellers, not spokespeople. Pop culture allows messages to move through emotion rather than instruction. The most successful communicators will be those who combine intelligence with empathy and strategy with warmth,” he highlights.
Vikram Kharvi, CEO, Bloomingdale PR, says, “India is no longer a ‘rest of world’ market, it’s the reference market. The scale, vernacular internet, and creator ecosystem have made it a culture engine where ideas are created, tested, and exported. Platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram enable a local moment to reach millions instantly, while creators like Dolly Chaiwala bring authenticity that brands can’t replicate.
“India’s memes, cricket, and TV formats now travel globally, proving that what clicks here often shapes global culture. When a global founder taps into Indian pop culture, it’s not about chasing reach; it’s about acknowledging India’s cultural influence,” he mentions.
Tarunjeet Rattan, Managing Partner, Nucleus PR, notes that such integrations can build strong relatability when executed with context, credibility, and relevance but they also come with risk. If the move feels gimmicky or detached from the brand’s core purpose, it quickly slips into “brand stunt” territory and erodes trust.
She adds that while the Bill Gates cameo was interesting in concept, it could have been executed more naturally. Unlike Elon Musk’s appearance in Young Sheldon or Gates and Stephen Hawking in The Big Bang Theory, which felt integral to the storyline, Indian pop culture collaborations often lack that subtlety. “We tend to over-explain, instead of trusting the audience’s intelligence to connect the dots,” Rattan states.
Kharvi believes this marks the beginning of a new PR playbook but only if it’s treated as strategy, not stunts. The next billion audiences live on short videos, sports, soaps, music, and regional cinema; founders entering these spaces can connect quickly but risk becoming mascots.
“His rule is simple: map, make, measure. Map with cultural intelligence, choosing formats aligned with the leader’s persona and brand promise. Make with local co-creators, disclose partnerships, pay fairly, and tie every moment to real action. Measure what matters: intent, consideration, and first purchases, and drop formats that don’t deliver. With clear guardrails and restraint, pop culture can be a bridge to real value, not a replacement for it,” he mentions.
In a world where attention is the new currency, Gates’ cameo marks more than just a curious crossover; it’s a signal of where influence truly resides today. India’s stories, screens, and creators are no longer passive platforms; they’re active stages where global ideas earn emotional legitimacy.
