Bengaluru man drives cab at 3 am after sleepy driver hands him the keys, video goes viral

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) graduate and founder of Camp Diaries Bengaluru, Milind Chandwani, had an unexpected adventure during a late-night taxi ride.

In a video shared on Instagram, Chandwani narrates how a routine trip took an unusual turn at 3 am when her sleepy driver struggled to stay awake, after which she took over the wheel and drove the car herself.

In her post, Chandwani recounted an unusual but reflective experience. “On my way back from the Bengaluru airport at 3am last night, I found myself in the unexpected role of my taxi driver. He was so sleepy, he even stopped for tea and a cigarette, but he 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’.”

In a video accompanying the post, the original taxi driver can be seen fast asleep in the passenger seat while Chandwani guides the car through the streets of Bengaluru with the help of Google Maps.

Reflecting on the extraordinary experience, Chandwani expressed mixed feelings. “I felt a mixture of emotions. glad he trusts me, sad that he had to push himself so hard, and slightly amused at how quickly he decided I was qualified for the job; Tipped him Rs 100 and asked for a 5 star rating in return – fair trade, right?”

He concluded his story with a thoughtful note about compassion and adaptability. “Life is full of unexpected distractions. Be kind, compassionate, and maybe develop your driving skills. You never know when they will come in handy.”

“The most important moral of history. When you offer something, be ready for the other person to accept your offer,” he added.

The post has garnered more than 11 million views since being uploaded, and the comments section was flooded with reactions from social media users. “Kindness is rare and you are one of the guardians,” the user commented. Another wrote: “Driving a taxi at 3.00am to ensure someone’s safety shows a real presence of thought and care. Let’s hope the taxi driver relaxes too.”