Woman's Bollywood dance for foreign guest at office fuels debate on professionalism

A video of a woman performing a Bollywood dance for a foreign guest at her workplace has drawn mixed reactions online.Woman's Bollywood dance for foreign guest at office fuels debate on professionalism (Photos: Pankaj/X)New Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 12:33 ISTA video of a woman dancing to a Bollywood song at her workplace in front of a foreign guest has triggered a debate on social media as several sections questioned her professionalism while others defended her performance as part of a festive celebration.In the video, the employee, dressed in a yellow saree, was seen dancing to the 2015 song Shakira from the film Welcome 2 Karachi. Her colleagues, dressed in festive outfits, stood in the background, cheering and clapping as she performed.A foreign woman seated in front of the employee was seen recording the performance. Several social media accounts claimed that she was the employee’s “American boss.” However, India Today could not independently verify the foreign woman’s identity or her professional relationship with the employee.As the video went viral, social media users shared their thoughts and opinions on X. Several users primarily criticised the employee’s performance and questioned the practice of welcoming foreign guests with song and dance at workplaces. “Aren't they embarrassed to do this at the workplace? Don't they have any self-respect? Have you ever seen foreign women dancing in front of their employers,” an X user asked.Another criticised the company’s conduct, saying, “The concerned corporate seems to have no standards of business conduct. Showcasing an Indian programme is good, but the choice of music, attire and performance matters. This was a pathetic show by the HR department.” One of the users called for a balance between hospitality and professionalism: “This has to stop. Treat guests with respect, but don't cross the line.”Others questioned what they described as a culture of seeking approval from foreign clients and bosses: “Indians should come out of this slave-like mentality of pampering others and start innovating.”“Stop these song-and-dance performances and traditional welcomes for customers and bosses, whether Indian or foreign. Be professional,” another comment read.One user suggested that such performances were often organised to impress clients: “Management does this in the name of pleasing its clients.”Meanwhile, several users pushed back against the criticism, arguing that the video was being taken out of context.“This is a festive event, and she is simply performing and enjoying the occasion. We work in MNCs where foreigners are part of our everyday work environment. Does that mean every interaction with them is an attempt to impress someone? Let's not unnecessarily turn a simple festive celebration into something it isn't,” one user said.Many others defended the celebration, arguing that such events are common in corporate workplaces.The debate has also raised questions about how companies balance cultural celebrations with professional conduct when hosting guests.- Ends