Finnair crew's Bollywood jig goes viral

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This is something an air passenger will least expect on a flight even of an Indian carrier -- a Bollywood jig by a foreign crew, all dressed in dazzling salwar kameez and traditional Indian attires!

That's the surprise Finnair had in store for its passengers bound for New Delhi from its headquarters Helsinki on the Repubic Day Jan 26 when some 50 crew members danced to the tune of the title song of Bollywood film Om Shanti Om directed and choreographed by Farah Khan.

"Finnair congratulates India on Republic Day January 26 -- clap your hands", read the message on the in-flight video screens, followed by a stream of crew frolicking in, as the song Deewangi Deewangi started playing.

The crew shook its leg, waved hands and gyrated in that all-familiar style that people are used to seeing in Indian films.

The sequence lasted some 2:30 minutes, with passengers -- somewhat surprised, but seen enjoying every moment of it -- also joining in by clapping their hands, taking pictures and some even tapping their own feet. According to Finnair officials, the jig inside the aircraft was choreographed by one of the airline's flight attendants, Helena Kaartinen.

"Really wonderful and an awesome performance to honour Indian Republic Day. We have to appreciate the universal love and friendship that Finnair extended," wrote Rajendran Krishnan on the airline's blog.

"Just enjoy! Don't look for a meaning in everything," added V. Iyer, obviously referring to some other bloggers who were not quite impressed.

The crew also had something to say: "It is kind of adorable when blonde flight attendants sing and dance to Bollywood tunes. The brand not only wins some brownie points by way of cultural bonding but also positions itself as a fun brand." The video of the jig on YouTube has over four lakh hits.