Widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo have caused significant travel chaos across India, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated. However, at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one stranded traveler turned a situation of annoyance into an unexpected moment of communal joy.
The Impromptu Airport Concert
Singer, songwriter, and self-described "corporate guy" Zayn Raza decided to use the lengthy delay creatively. He pulled out his guitar, sat on the airport floor, and began performing a soulful rendition of the early-2000s hit song 'Woh Lamhe'. The spontaneous performance was captured in a reel that Raza later posted on his Instagram account, @zaynrazaofficial, on December 6, 2025.
In the now-viral clip, weary passengers awaiting news of their delayed flights are seen gathered around, quietly listening. Some captured the moment on their phones, their faces reflecting a shift from irritation to appreciation. Raza humorously captioned the post, writing in Hindi, "Flight delay tha… toh live concert shuru kar diya. IndiGo ne delay diya, maine melody diya. Mumbai to Patna became Mumbai to Pata Nahi Kab Jayenge."
Public Reaction and Viral Praise
The video quickly resonated with a wide online audience, amassing thousands of views and comments. Users flooded the comments section with praise for Raza's calming presence amidst the travel turmoil.
One viewer commented, "Thank god someone is calm on internet," while another noted, "Such a mood changer for everyone around in that chaos… music always does its wonders." A third user appreciated the positive diversion, stating, "It is completely normal to become angry and lose control but you did a great job diverting their mind." Many celebrated the uniquely Indian spirit of finding joy in adversity, with one comment reading, "Only in India we enjoy even in tough times."
The Underlying Operational Crisis
This light-hearted moment surfaced against the backdrop of a serious and ongoing operational crisis for IndiGo, the country's largest carrier. The airline has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights consecutively for several days.
According to a Reuters report, the disruptions are expected to continue until at least December 8, 2025. The root cause is believed to be newly enforced crew-safety regulations that have severely impacted the airline's scheduling and rostering.
In a communication to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), IndiGo indicated that it does not expect operations to return to full normalcy until February 10. Until then, the airline has stated it will make "calibrated adjustments" while its teams work "around the clock" to stabilize operations and minimize passenger inconvenience.
While the airline navigates this turbulent period, stories like Zayn Raza's airport concert highlight how shared human experiences and simple acts of creativity can provide much-needed relief during widespread travel disruptions.
