New Delhi, May 19, 2026 — Tucked away in the bustling, wind-swept markets of Leh, a humble tea stall has suddenly transformed into India’s newest viral tourist hotspot. For weeks, cinephiles and internet surfers debated whether the iconic, hilariously named eatery from Aditya Dhar’s star-studded action thriller Dhurandhar was a mere figment of a set designer’s imagination or a real place.
The mystery has officially been put to rest. A Bengali travel content creator, Soumya Chatterjee, recently tracked down the actual location in Ladakh. However, as his now-viral video reveals, grabbing a cup of tea at this cinematic landmark comes with a very specific, heartwarming condition.
The Discovery: From Silver Screen to Real Life
When Dhurandhar hit theatres on March 19, 2026—boasting an ensemble cast featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal—audiences were quick to spot a fleeting, one-second scene featuring an oddly named establishment: “Washma Butt Biryani and Chai Shop.”
The internet instantly erupted into memes. Many viewers assumed director Aditya Dhar was cleverly trolling audiences or taking a cheeky swipe at Pakistani tropes, especially since the name can be hilariously misread phonetically as “Wash My Butt.” It was widely written off as a fictional Easter egg meant for a quick laugh.
Enter Soumya Chatterjee, a travel blogger from West Bengal who documents his wanderlust under the Instagram handle @its_naturemoto. While exploring the local markets of Leh, Chatterjee stumbled upon the exact rustic storefront featured in the movie.
The One Condition for a Cup of Chai
As Soumya stepped inside the shop, fans were stunned to see that the interiors perfectly mirrored the movie setup. The walls are still adorned with promotional posters and film stills, including the specific scene where characters Hamza Ali Mazari and Aalam Bhai sit down to plot over cups of salted tea.
But it was Soumya’s commentary that truly captured the internet’s imagination, introducing a “rule” for anyone looking to visit this unique spot. Standing inside the rustic café, he told his viewers:
This poetic “one condition” quickly resonated with travel enthusiasts. It transformed a simple pitstop into an experiential destination where visitors are encouraged to slow down, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and absorb the cinematic history embedded in the walls.
The Real Identity Behind the Reel Name
As expected, the reality behind the shop has its own fascinating backstory. In truth, “Washma Butt” was never the original name of the eatery.
| Feature | Details |
| Actual Shop Name | S.H. Khan Restaurant |
| Location | Leh Market, Ladakh |
| Cinematic Name | Washma Butt Biryani and Chai Shop |
| Featured Movie | Dhurandhar (Directed by Aditya Dhar) |
| Upcoming OTT Release | June 4, 2026 (Jio Cinema / Jio Hotstar) |
When the production crew of Dhurandhar arrived in Ladakh to shoot their high-octane sequences, they chose S.H. Khan Restaurant as a primary location. They hung up the fictional “Washma Butt” signboard for the shoot. Once the cameras stopped rolling and the crew packed up, the owners decided to leave the board and the movie posters untouched. It proved to be a brilliant business move, as the shop has now accidentally become a landmark.
Internet Stunned as Celebs React
The video has amassed millions of views across Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), triggering a massive wave of nostalgia and humor.
Many fans admitted they were completely fooled by the movie. “I genuinely thought the filmmakers created a set and named it Washma Butt just to troll us. To find out it’s a real shop in Leh is mind-blowing,” commented one user. Another eagerly predicted, “The crowds are coming. Line lag jani hai yaha to (Lines are going to form here soon)!”
The viral clip even caught the attention of Bollywood veteran Gaurav Gera, who plays Aalam Bhai in the film. Delighted by the real-world impact of the scene, Gera responded directly to Chatterjee’s video by dropping red heart emojis in the comments, validating the location for thousands of scrambling fans.
A New Stop on the Ladakh Itinerary
With Dhurandhar 2 scheduled to premiere on Jio Cinema (Jio Hotstar) on June 4, 2026, public excitement surrounding the franchise is at an all-time high. Soumya Chatterjee’s discovery couldn’t have been timed better.
For years, travelers flocked to Ladakh to see the famous Pangong Tso lake from 3 Idiots or the iconic roads from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Now, the “Washma Butt” tea stall adds a gritty, meme-worthy, and pop-culture-rich flavor to the classic Ladakh itinerary.
If you find yourself wandering through the cold deserts of Leh this summer, look for the S.H. Khan Restaurant. Just remember the Bengali traveler’s golden rule: order two cups of chai, pull up a wooden stool, and take a moment to look at the posters on the wall to fully immerse yourself in the magic of Indian cinema.