New Delhi, India (CNN) The Indian fighter pilot captured by Pakistan after his plane was shot down in a dogfight has become an unlikely fashion trendsetter following his return to India.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman became the unwitting face of cross-border tensions after crashing in Pakistani territory last week.
Hailed as a national hero, men across India have rushed to emulate his characteristic mustache in apparent tribute.
The look, a mix of a classic gunslinger with traits of the mutton chop beard, is now known throughout India as the "Abhinandan."
@reublic @majorgauravarya Just heard you saying handlebar moustaches will be back. Here is my tribute to Wing Commander #Abhinandan and #IAF pic.twitter.com/ISioYFy1wB — ŤíñŤíñ (@nbcrazy) March 1, 2019
India became gripped by Varthaman's capture after several videos showing him in custody were released by Pakistan's Information Ministry.
bipbopbipbopbap on March 4th, 2019 at 13:03 UTC »
Because of the lighting in the picture in the article, it looks like his head is badly photoshopped onto the body.
HawasKaPujari on March 4th, 2019 at 12:13 UTC »
It was inevitable given that he is currently most talked about person in India. I heard a bloke on TV saying we always follow movie stars and sportsmen even with dumb trends, so why not follow a soldier's style.
picnicstaggs on March 4th, 2019 at 11:50 UTC »
Guard is like: I could make that work.