The recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, continues to reverberate across the nation. The London-bound Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff, striking a medical college complex and resulting in a massive explosion. The tragedy, termed one of the worst air disasters in recent Indian history, has prompted widespread grief and condolences from various sectors, including the Bollywood fraternity.
Amidst this backdrop, actress Raveena Tandon boarded an Air India flight a few days after the crash, sharing her experience on social media. Tandon posted a series of pictures on Instagram, including selfies with her ticket, reflecting on the "solemn atmosphere" within the aircraft. She wrote about the crew's "welcoming smiles, tinted with sadness" and the "silent passengers and crew bonding with unspoken condolences and subtle confidence." She expressed her condolences to the bereaved families, calling the incident "a wound that will never heal," and ended her post with "Godspeed always @airindia. Fearless and a will to overcome and be strong again. Jai Hind."
Tandon's post, while intended to show solidarity with Air India and its crew, has sparked mixed reactions online. While some appreciated her gesture of support during a difficult time for the airline, others have criticized it as insensitive and "tone-deaf," given the recent tragedy and the immense loss of life.
A Reddit thread, titled "This is just so not right!" questioned the timing of her post, suggesting it was inappropriate to promote Air India so soon after the horrific crash. Some users speculated whether Tandon was compensated by Air India for the post, while others expressed anger and disbelief, questioning how someone could be so out of touch with reality, especially considering the devastation suffered by the families of the victims.
However, some fans defended Tandon, arguing that her post was meant to uplift the morale of the Air India crew and show support for the airline. Prior to Tandon's post, comedian Vir Das also shared a social media message defending Air India and offering condolences to the victims. Das described Air India as having the "best crew in the sky" and expressed his support for them during the difficult time.
The Air India crash has prompted various reactions from the entertainment industry. Numerous celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Allu Arjun, and Karan Johar, have expressed their condolences on social media. The Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of the victims, with additional interim payments also declared. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, with the black boxes recovered and under analysis. The sole survivor of the crash has been identified as Vishwaskumar Ramesh, who was seated in seat 11A.
