When he sang on a flight from Mumbai to Jodhpur, Sonu Nigam didn't just thrill the passengers, who chimed in as he sang two hits - the video also went viral.
Nearly a month later, Jet Airways has suspended the crew of that flight for letting Mr Nigam, 42, use the public announcement system on the plane for his impromptu concert.
"This act lack of common sense according to me is real intolerance," the singer retorted today, pointing out that when he sang, there were no announcements that needed to be made. "I have witnessed an elaborate fashion show in an aircraft... I have seen pilots and crew members cracking humorous jokes to loosen up passengers in other countries which is so cool," he said.
Not so, according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma who said, "The mic system should be used by authorized staff or captain of plane only. I'm happy Jet Airways has taken initiatives on this issue."
It was civil aviation regulator DGCA who nudged Jet Airways to penalize the five crew members. Sources say that the regulator was concerned that while Mr Nigam became the centre of attention, the forward galley near the cockpit was left unattended by the crew and that though the plane was descending, passengers were standing to get a clear view of him ,and could have been hurt if the plane hit turbulence.
On video, Sonu Nigam is seen dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans leaning against a wall in the plane as he sings two of his most popular songs from the films
Veer Zaara and
Refugee.
At one point he said, "
Arrey wah, aap bhi gaatein hain. My God,
saare singers hain (amazing, everyone here is a singer)" as passengers sang along with him.