Yearender 2018: From ‘wink wink’ to ‘thain thain’, 10 videos that took Internet by storm in 2018

Like it or hate it, viral videos continue to be Internet gold. While some leave us in awe, some in shock and horror. 2018 was a year that saw many such viral moments. From Malayalam actor Priya Prakash Varrier’s wink to the heart-warming video of a bear cub uniting with his mother in the snowy slopes, as we wave good bye to 2018, here’s a look at all the videos that broke the internet this year.

‘Mali Spiderman’ who earned a French citizenship

Malian migrant Mamoudou Gassama dramatically saved a child who was hanging from the balcony of a four-storey building in Paris, in May this year. The video of the 22-year-old quickly climbing up the building ultimately earned a French citizenship for him. It was a rescue that wowed the world and made him a national hero in France.

Pakistani bureaucrat caught stealing Kuwaiti delegate’s wallet

A senior Pakistani bureaucrat brought major embarrassment to the country in September after he was captured in a CCTV footage stealing a visiting foreign dignitary's wallet and pocketing it. The Kuwaiti dignitary was in Pakistan to discuss investment plans in the country. The delegation lodged a complaint with the officials and the missing wallet, which reportedly had a significant sum of Kuwaiti dinars, was recovered from the Pakistani official. He was later suspended.

 

Grade 20 GoP officer stealing a Kuwaiti official's wallet - the official was part of a visiting delegation which had come to meet the PM pic.twitter.com/axODYL3SaZ

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 28, 2018

The wink which floored Indians

Towards the beginning of February, a video clip of a young girl in school uniform winking went insanely viral on Twitter. The clip from Malayalam movie “Oru Adaar Love” turned Priya Prakash Varrier into an overnight sensation and sent Internet into a meltdown. Indians were so smitten by her wink that the 18-year-old’s name was the top search on google for the year, beating Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra comprehensively.

 

 

“Hello friends, chai piilo”

2018 was a year of many viral crazes. Who would have thought that a drawling invitation for the humble ‘Chai’ (tea) could turn into a viral meme? Somwati Mahawar, a passionate vlogger’s 15-second-video set the Internet on fire and clocked millions of views on social media platforms. The video also spurred others to recreate and post their own videos offering tea. But, hey, nothing beats this original effort!


UP Cop shouts ‘Thain Thain’, mimics gunshot sound during encounter

You may have seen in movies how actors try innovative ways to incapacitate others when their guns jam. But believe it or not, the trigger-friendly UP police found a weird tactic to scare a group of criminals in Sambhal after one of them was struggled to open fire as the cartridges in his revolver got stuck. Even as the cop faced trolling for the bizarre idea, the hilarious video set social media on fire.

 

#WATCH: Police personnel shouts 'thain thain' to scare criminals during an encounter in Sambhal after his revolver got jammed. ASP says, 'words like 'maaro & ghero' are said to create mental pressure on criminals. Cartridges being stuck in revolver is a technical fault'. (12.10) pic.twitter.com/NKyEnPZukh

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 13, 2018

Pakistani reporter falls off donkey while reporting about the animal trade

Looks like we just can’t get over the gaffes by Pakistani journalists. After Chand Nawab, who got immortalised in the 2015 Salman Khan film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, video of another Pakistani journalist, reporting on the flourishing animal trade in the country, surfaced on Social Media this year. Geo TV reporter Amin Hafeez took the Internet by storm after he decided to ride a donkey during a live TV report, but the uninterested mammal started jerking wildly and he tripped off.

 

Donkey business flourishing in Lahore and look at the way my old Freind Amin Hafeez reporting donkey business by risking his life pic.twitter.com/FHYuQrYOqP

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) December 19, 2018

Govinda-inspired dancing uncle, who became an overnight star

Following up on his passion, 46-year-old Sanjeev Shrivastava, put on his dancing shoes, and gave a performance that spread like wildfire on Social Media. The video showed the electronics professor showing off some cool Govinda-style moves, while his wife danced coyly in the background. His dream finally came true after he met and danced with his ‘idol’ Govinda on a reality show.

 

Bear cub struggles up a steep, snow-covered slope to reach the mother

The Internet was on the edge of their seats while watching the video of a bear cub trying to reach his mother by clambering up a snow-clad mountain. Although the duo initially struggled to reach the top, the mother made it soon while the plucky young cub slid down the slope several times. His persistence paid off eventually. The video also brought spotlight on the irresponsible use of drones to gather wildlife footage.

 

Video shows Zomato delivery boy eating into customer’s order

The viral video of a Zomato delivery boy eating food from a parcel and sealing it back left the Social Media in shock. The incident also brought to focus the gruelling working conditions of these hunger saviours. However, the company took cognisance of the incident and fired the executive, who hailed from Madurai. Soon after a wave of empathy poured in for the delivery executive on Social Media.

This is what happens when you use coupon codes all the time. 😂 Watch till end. pic.twitter.com/KG5y9wUoNk

— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) December 10, 2018

 

 

Indonesian rock band swept away mid performance by Tsunami

In December, a video footage showing a massive tsunami wave rip through a stage and slamming audience at rock concert on the Tanjung Lesung beach, was one of the most iconic moments of 2018. The video clip showed music and cheers turning into loud screams as the wave swept members of a local rock band, Seventeen. Only one of the four members of band made it out alive.