Actor Avantika Dassani describes the start of 2025 as “bombastic” due to an unexpected ordeal during her January 13 flight from Goa to Mumbai, which was disrupted by a fake bomb threat. Recalling the incident, she shares, “It was the pilot’s first flight, so it started on a happy note. But before landing, some air hostesses seemed panicked. They opened baggage to identify something, and we assumed it was for a co-passenger.”
Upon landing, the situation became clearer. “The gates didn’t open for an hour, and outside the window, we saw cop cars, ambulances, and flashing lights. The pilot mentioned a slight safety concern. When we finally deboarded, all hand luggage was placed at the center for inspection. Our terminals were changed mid-air, and further checks, including handwriting tests, were conducted. A 45-minute flight stretched to five hours.”
Despite the delay, Avantika appreciated the thorough safety protocols. “I’d rather they take their time than cut corners.” While she wasn’t scared, she acknowledges others felt tense. “I’d read about such fake threats increasing and couldn’t understand what people gain from such pranks—it’s a senseless menace.”
Her mother, actor Bhagyashree, was understandably worried. “In our family, we inform each other about flights. I called my mom during the situation and told her to sleep, but she said, ‘Do you think I’m going to sleep now?’ She stayed awake until I got home. My flight, scheduled to land at 10:30 PM, had me home by 4 AM.”
Despite the ordeal, Avantika found comfort in her family. “I came home to the warmest hugs and some ghar ka khana before heading to bed,” she concludes, turning the tense experience into a memorable story.