Long before viral fame started fading quickly, one song took over social media across languages and borders, “Kacha Badaam.” If you were online in 2021 or 2022, it was hard to miss. The man behind the
song, Bhuban Badyakar, went from selling peanuts on village roads in West Bengal to becoming a well-known internet face. But soon after his sudden rise to fame, he quietly disappeared from the spotlight.So where did Bhuban Badyakar go and what is he doing today?From Peanut Seller To Viral StarBhuban Badyakar hails from Kuraljuri village in Lakshminarayanpur Panchayat of Birbhum district, West Bengal. By profession, he was a peanut seller who travelled from village to village, often exchanging peanuts for bangles, utensils and small household items. To draw attention to his arrival, he sang a catchy tune — a simple, rhythmic song called “Kacha Badam.”That everyday marketing trick turned into a cultural phenomenon when a local passerby recorded him and uploaded the clip online.According to reports, the song was first shared on YouTube by a channel named ‘Ektara’. Within days, the humble melody clocked millions of views, travelling far beyond Bengal’s villages and straight into India’s digital mainstream.
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When the Internet Took OverWhat followed was an explosion. Influencers across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X began recreating the song. Musicians and composers added new beats and remixes. Bhuban appeared in music videos, collaborated with established singers, and even featured alongside well-known internet personalities and celebrities.Several Bollywood figures jumped onto the trend, and influencer Anjali Arora’s viral reel on the song pushed it even further into the spotlight. Bhuban Badyakar had officially become an internet sensation.And Then… SilenceAfter 2022, Bhuban slowly faded from public view. The viral wave moved on, and questions began circulating online, what happened to the man behind Kacha Badaam?In 2025, popular YouTuber Nishu Tiwari tracked him down and sat down for a long conversation, where Bhuban spoke candidly about fame, opportunity, loss and survival.
Meeting Bhuban TodayWhen Tiwari met him, Bhuban greeted him with the same warmth and simplicity that once won over millions. Smiling, he said, “I am 55 years old,” before casually breaking into song, instantly reminding viewers why his voice once echoed from Bengal to Bollywood. He explained how the song came from personal experience.“I used to sell almonds,” Bhuban recalled. “When I was selling them, people would often steal my mobile phone. So I thought, I’ll take this experience, make a song about it, and sing it. I wanted everyone to hear it, to make them laugh and feel jealous too.”A local man recorded the performance and uploaded it on social media. Within days, Bhuban’s life changed forever.
Fame, Money and the Cost of TrustBefore going viral, Bhuban lived in a modest hut. “This is my house now,” he said proudly while showing his home. “Earlier, it was just a small hut in the name of a house.” Fame, at least initially, brought visible improvements to his life. But it also brought exploitation.When asked whether he earned money from the viral hit, Bhuban said, “I went to Bombay; they gave me around Rs 60,000–70,000. Later, I went to Mr. DG of Kolkata who gave me Rs 1 lakh and a gift ..But I don’t have the copyright for this song anymore.”He revealed that someone had shown him big dreams, made him sign documents he didn’t fully understand, and eventually took control of the song’s rights — pulling him into legal troubles instead of long-term security.
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Life After the Viral StormDespite everything, Bhuban says the song changed his life in meaningful ways. People still recognise him, stop for selfies, and invite him to perform at events and reality shows.“My life has improved after going viral,” he said with a quiet smile. “People now know me and respect me.”Behind the catchy tune lies a story of simplicity, sudden fame, missed opportunities and hard-earned lessons, a reminder that viral success can change lives, but not always in the ways one expects.
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