“People say don’t judge a book by its cover. I say no, a book is judged by its cover. You have to work so hard that nobody judges your cover. And you have to make your book so popular that people ignore the cover.”
I recently came across an interview reel of Zakir Khan on Instagram where he said something that quietly unsettled me:
“People say don’t judge a book by its cover. I say no, a book is judged by its cover. You have to work so hard that nobody judges your cover. And you have to make your book so popular that people ignore the cover.”
“You can choose your friends but you cannot choose your family.” – Harper Lee
We’ve probably heard this quote more than once—it reminds us that while we don’t get to choose our family, we absolutely get to choose our friends. And choosing them wisely matters, because we become the product of the people we surround ourselves with.
As a child, I had a beautiful fantasy. I imagined that when I grew up, I and my best friends—my childhood gang—would start businesses together, become rich, and buy homes next to each other. I even had a detailed plan where four of us (my closest school friends) would build homes in the shape of a square, all connected through a central shared space. That middle area? It was for our families to hang out, relax, celebrate together. Just us—our own little world.
That fantasy meant the world to me. And like all heartfelt fantasies, it stayed one—because “life is lifing,” as people say now. That vision remained locked away in a childhood corner of my mind… until recently, when I saw someone live a part of that dream in real life.
Now here’s another of my slightly less sentimental but equally passionate dreams: to eat pani puri from every single place I could find. Not just the shop ones—but from thelas, bandis, roadside stalls, carts, bicycles—you name it. While that wasn’t realistically possible, I did the next best thing. I began trying pani puri from every place I heard was good.
That’s when I stumbled upon Chaat Carnival in Secunderabad.
The real essence of ‘chit chaat’—food, friends, and shared laughter.
At first glance, it looked like just another chaat joint. And I won’t lie—my first thought was, “What’s so special about this place?” My friend, who is one of the business partners, had asked me to visit. I honestly assumed it was just a polite attempt to promote her business.
But the moment I stepped in, I knew I had misjudged it.
I was warmly welcomed and made to feel at home. The place has a vibe—a simple, warm, cheerful setting where families, friends, and couples can unwind and just enjoy great food. But what truly amazed me was not just the taste of the food—it was the story behind it. It was the people.
One of the Founders at Chaat Carnival (the one in the black tee 2nd one from the left)
From childhood mischief to running a business—some friendships go the distance.
The business is run by three childhood friends. And let me tell you—this is not just a business for them. It’s passion. All three have full-time jobs, and two of them are professional photographers. Yet, they chose to create this place, not to mint money, but to serve food they love making.
Food, for them, is a language of love. They’ve poured their hearts into Chaat Carnival. Every dish I tried was absolutely spot-on. Unique in flavor, perfect in preparation, and above all, made with joy. The taste was so good, I had to go back again—just to let my taste buds relive that joy.
These three friends didn’t grow apart with time like most people do. They grew together—from childhood best friends to business partners, choosing not just to build something profitable but to build something purposeful.
Their goal? Simple: To give people a space where they can chit-chat over chaat, with food that’s tasty, hygienic, and served with heart.
And as if that wasn’t already beautiful enough, they’ve taken it a step further.
All three of them are dog lovers. Since they can’t adopt every stray, they decided to contribute in a small but deeply meaningful way. Right outside the shop, they’ve placed a free feeding station for street dogs—with dog biscuits for anyone to pick up and feed our furry friends.
“If I can’t adopt one, why not help many?” – A gesture that speaks volumes.
This… this is what it looks like when passion, dreams, friendship, and kindness come together.
Chaat Carnival is not just a place to eat. It’s a place to feel. A place where memories are made, friendships are celebrated, and humanity is served—on a plate and beyond.
They didn’t just create a business. They built a home of fun, friends, dreams, and happiness.
Kudos to them. Truly.
If you ever find yourself in or around Secunderabad, do drop by Chaat Carnival.
You might go there for the food, but you’ll leave with a full heart.
P.S. This isn’t a paid promotion. I just genuinely loved their story and felt it deserves to be shared with the world. ✨ and a special thanks to ChatGpt for helping out in ironing out the wrinkles of this post.
My Journey 