ബെംഗളൂരു ട്രാഫിക്കിൽ കുടുങ്ങിയ അവനീഷ് ഹെഗ്ഡെ എന്ന യുവാവ് ബംഗാളിൽ നിന്നുള്ള സുബിത് ജെയിൻ എന്ന ബൈക്ക് യാത്രികനുമായി നടത്തിയ രസകരമായ സംഭാഷണം സമൂഹമാധ്യമങ്ങളിൽ വൈറലായി. ബൈക്ക് പരിപാലനത്തെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ചർച്ചയിൽ തുടങ്ങി, ഇന്ത്യൻ സൂപ്പർ ലീഗിലെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ടീമുകളെക്കുറിച്ചും ഫുട്ബോൾ വൈരത്തെക്കുറിച്ചുമുള്ള സൗഹൃദപരമായ സംഭാഷണമാണ് ഇരുവരും പങ്കുവെച്ചത്.
Bengaluru traffic is usually associated with long waits, honking horns and impatient drivers. But for one man, a traffic stop turned into an unexpectedly lively conversation with a biker from Bengal, complete with a discussion about football loyalties, the Indian Super League and a friendly exchange in Bengali.
Avanish Hegde, an Instagram user and sports content creator, shared the video on his account, capturing his conversation with a fellow road user while sitting behind the wheel of his car.
In the video, Hegde was seen leaning into the conversation from the driver's seat, asking the man standing beside his car whether his motorcycle was the latest model. The biker clarified that it was three years old, prompting Hegde to compliment him on how well he had maintained it.
Curious about his routine, Hegde then asked whether he rode the bike to work every day with his gloves and other gear. The biker explained that the gloves actually made handling the motorcycle easier in Bengaluru's traffic.
Hegde agreed before asking whether he considered himself a serious biker. The man modestly described himself as someone who was interested in biking, but not a hardcore enthusiast.
The conversation took a more interesting turn when Hegde asked where he was from. The biker introduced himself as Subit Jain and said he was from Bengal. He also mentioned playing football and table tennis, giving Hegde the perfect opening to steer the chat towards the sport.
The two soon found themselves discussing the Indian Super League and Bengal's famous football rivalry. When Hegde asked whether Jain supported Mohun Bagan or East Bengal, the answer was Mohun Bagan. There was just one twist: Jain revealed that his family supported East Bengal, while he had chosen to support their rivals.
Hegde appeared amused by the family divide and said he respected Mohun Bagan. Their conversation then moved to the India-Uruguay match, with the two discussing the performance of the players and reflecting on how the team could have done better after scoring the equaliser.
They also touched upon Indian footballers playing for major clubs abroad.
At one point, Hegde explained that he was a sports content creator who recorded random conversations with people. After checking that Jain was comfortable with the video being posted online, he asked him for a Bengali football-style cheer.
Jain offered a phrase before explaining its meaning as wishing someone happiness.
The exchange became even more amusing when Jain revealed that he had already seen Hegde's content. The unexpected recognition delighted the creator, who thanked him before the two exchanged pleasantries and went their separate ways. As the conversation ended, Hegde remarked on how remarkable it was that people could have such chats in Bengaluru traffic.
Captioning the clip "Bagan biker banter", Hegde shared a glimpse of a chance encounter that went well beyond the usual exchange between strangers on the road.
Watch the video here:
The video drew amused reactions online. One user joked that Bengaluru traffic could easily give people enough time for a 30-minute conversation at a single stop.
Another playfully warned introverts to stay away from such content, while a third marvelled at how the city's traffic had produced such a wholesome interaction.
For a few minutes, at least, the traffic had offered more than a frustrating commute: it had brought two strangers together over a shared love of football.