Bengaluru Man Drives His Hired Cab At 3 AM After Driver Falls Asleep [Video]

A heartwarming and humorous incident shared by Milind Chandwani, an IIM graduate and founder of Camp Diaries Bengaluru, has captured the attention of netizens. Chandwani recently recounted a late-night cab ride from Bengaluru airport that took an unexpected turn when he ended up driving the cab himself, after he found out that the driver was too sleepy.

 

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A post shared by Milind Chandwani (@milindchandwani)

The Sleepy Encounter

In a now-viral social media post, Chandwani described how his cab driver was struggling to stay awake at 3 AM. Despite stopping for tea and a cigarette, the driver remained too drowsy to continue. Chandwani offered to take the wheel, and to his surprise, the driver quickly handed him the car keys.

“Last night at 3 AM while returning from Bengaluru airport, I found myself in an unexpected role: my cab driver’s driver,” Chandwani wrote. “He was so sleepy, he even stopped for tea and a cigarette but still couldn’t keep his eyes open. So, I offered to drive, and to my surprise, he handed me the keys faster than I could say ‘Bengaluru traffic.’”

The video accompanying the post shows the cab driver reclining his seat and dozing off while Chandwani navigates through Bengaluru’s streets using Google Maps.

A Mix of Emotions

Reflecting on the incident, Chandwani shared his feelings:
“I felt a mix of emotions: glad that he trusted me, sad that he had to push himself so hard, and slightly amused at how quickly he decided I was qualified for the job. Gave him a ₹100 tip and asked for a 5-star rating in return—fair trade, right?”

He concluded his post with a thoughtful note:
“Life is full of unexpected detours. Be kind, be empathetic, and maybe brush up on your driving skills. Most important moral of the story? When you offer something, be ready for the other person to take your offer.”

Internet Reacts

The original post has amassed more than 7.5 million views and sparked a range of reactions, from laughter to concern. One user humorously remarked, “This is hilarious but also a wake-up call for better working conditions for drivers.” Another commented, “The trust he showed in you is both heartwarming and concerning!” A third joked, “Milind just unlocked a new skill set—Bengaluru traffic navigator!” Another witty remark was ‘Bro accidentally created new startup for Self-driving taxi‘

Many praised Chandwani’s act of kindness, with one user saying, “You turned an inconvenience into a moment of empathy.” Someone commented that he had to face a similar incident once in Mumbai, when he had to drive the entire trip from Kalyan East to Santacruz West when he found out that the cab driver was drowsy. He says that the driver was happy to get a small break.

A Lesson in Empathy

Chandwani’s story is a reminder of the unpredictable moments life throws our way and the importance of compassion. While the incident sparked humour online, it also highlighted the challenges faced by overworked cab drivers, prompting calls for better working conditions.

Through his actions, Milind Chandwani not only ensured safety but also showcased a thoughtful approach to a challenging situation, earning admiration from across the internet. The cabby deserves respect for not taking chances by pushing himself harder and just accepting the fact that he was sleepy and needed a break.