TEDTalk by Vada Pav: “How to Be Hot, Humble, and Hugely Popular”

[Lights dim. The big red TED letters glow on stage. A trolley rolls out with a steaming hot vada pav neatly placed on tissue paper. The mic stand is lowered to its height. While some in the audience gasp, some laugh nervously.]

Opening

Vada Pav:
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. [pause]
Or should I say… hungry ladies and gentlemen?

[Laughter]

First of all, thank you TED for finally inviting someone who matters. You’ve had Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Malala. But admit it—none of them ever cured your 4 PM office hunger.

[Roars of laughter, applause]

I may look small. I may look oily. But I’m Mumbai’s heartbeat. The burger without attitude. The common man’s soulmate. And I don’t need Instagram to become famous.

[Audience howls]

Lesson One: Simplicity Wins Hearts

Look at me. Two pav. One vada. One chutney. That’s it. And yet—look at my fanbase! From Dadar to Dubai, people line up for me.

Meanwhile, burgers? They need lettuce, cheese, mayo, patty, sauces… and still, they’re nervous I’ll steal their job.

[Laughter]

So keep life simple. You don’t need 37 filters on Instagram. You don’t need a résumé that looks like a PowerPoint presentation. Be clear. Be consistent. Be vada pav.

[Audience claps, someone yells “Jhakaas!”]

Lesson Two: Unity in Diversity

Alone, we’re boring. Pav? Just bread. Potato? Just carbs. Chutney? Just masala. But together—BOOM. Fireworks.

Soft + spicy. Boring + bold. Tangy + fiery. When we unite, we become unforgettable.

So remember—if pav and aloo can get along, surely North Indians and South Indians can survive one cricket season together without Twitter wars.

[Loud laughter, clapping]

Lesson Three: Be Affordable, Be Accessible

I cost ₹20. Some places ₹25. At airports ₹80. On Swiggy? ₹120 + ₹40 delivery.

[Audience loses it]

But my point is—I’m within reach of everyone. The banker in a suit. The broke college kid. The cab driver at 2 AM. The couple on their “budget date.” All of them can hold me in their hands.

That’s why I’m loved. Because if you become too high-maintenance, people will drop you faster than a friend who says, “I forgot my wallet.”

[Wild laughter, applause]

Lesson Four: Spice Up Your Life

Without chutney and green chili, I’m just… potato in bread. And honestly, who wants that?

[Laughter]

But add that fiery kick—and suddenly, I’m unforgettable. Same with life. Without risks, without adventures, you’re just… attendance sheets and a talking statue.

So, spice it up! Fail, dance, sing karaoke like Himesh Reshammiya—but make it memorable.

[Big applause, whistles from back row]

Lesson Five: Adaptability is Strength

I was born on a street cart outside Dadar station. But today, I’m in malls, cafes, college canteens, even on Air India menus. Did I complain? No. I adapted.

In life too, adapt. Just don’t lose your chutney. Because without chutney, you’re just… bread hugging potato.

[Laughter, applause]

Closing

So, my friends, if a humble potato ball fried in oil, stuffed inside pav, can become a superstar… what’s stopping YOU?

[Audience started chanting “Vada Pav! Vada Pav!”]

Vada Pav (lifting green chili like a torch):
Go out there. Be crispy outside. Soft inside. Spicy at heart. Be your own vada pav!

And if you’re still hungry for more stories like mine—skip the ketchup, bring the chutney, and head straight to talesmith.in.