When Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot out of the sky in enemy territory, he must have had his life flash before his eyes. The days he was in Pakistani custody, he would have undergone agonies most of us could not imagine. And while this was happening, the Indian Air Force fighter pilot became the face of high octane international conflict, a social media sensation and a cultural icon.
We saw images and videos of the IAF officer being assaulted, bloodied, blindfolded and led away. Subsequently we saw him sipping tea and refusing to answer questions while in Pak captivity with quite amazing composure. We then saw him at Wagah in a dapper blazer, an unfazed look in his eye and upright military bearing. We could almost miss the fact that he was injured in his right eye and presumably other places. His conduct and his bearing certainly did us proud.
The distinctive handlebar moustache of Wg Cdr Abhinandan seems to have caught everyone's fancy. Various versions and interpretations of the mooch went viral.
The calm composure, his refusal to reveal the anxiety that he had to have been feeling, and his confident bearing have really endeared themselves to an entire nation.
The ever topical Amul quickly came up with this film to salute the man who was quickly becoming the most recognisable face in the headlines.
A lot of people suddenly wanted the facial stylings of the wing commander. Perhaps because it is so distinctive, or perhaps because it is now forever linked to the concept of valour.
Nanesh Thakur of Bangalore decided to give people free Abhinandan cuts to his customers.
There is even a Pakistani barber in Dubai who is offering this distinctive moustache style to customers.
Abhinandan has become an inspiration to the people in many ways; inspiring creative artists to make creations like this as well.
Variations of the Nike swoosh; modified to reflect the distinctive handlebar moustache is all over social media. This Twitter user did get his air ranks muddled but never mind that.
Those that had the facial hair, did it. Those that did not, did it anyway.
Many of us probably read reports about Bollywood rushing to register names such as Pulwama, Surgical Strikes, Wing Commander Abhinandan etc even as the conflict was on. Now there are those demanding a biopic featuring the poised wing commander – preferably with the irrepressible Ranveer Singh playing him.
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