Virgin Atlantic(Ctrl C+Ctrl V)=Kingfisher Airlines

The flight from Delhi to Pune was my first in Kingfisher and the best ever.Kudos to Mallya for giving the Indian passenger his due.The portable TV is a lovely feature,making the otherwise boring flights an enjoyable journey.
I have followed Mallyas progress in the past few years..about everyone has, given the huge media coverage he gets.Everytime,I cant help but notice the similarities between him and the other(more original)king of good times-Richard Branson,owner of Virgin Atlantic,Galatic,Music...whateva.Both are entrepreneurs,Mallya started with beverages, while Branson started with his newspaper "The Student".Both eventually diversified into various other areas.However, the manner in which they did is striking.Branson believed the best way to grab peoples' attention was to do stand out.While the feats that he achieved..becoming the first to go across the pacific and then around the world in a hot air balloon..beating the record for the Blue Ribbon in sailing,they ultimately built him a unique stature..smart,daring and brilliant.Mallyas becoming the person to reach the highest altitude in a hot air balloon..his zest for riding Formual cars(much before he bought Spyker)..being projected as a partyman..beautiful models around him,served the same aim for him.The media liked it and they have become iconic public figures.
When Branson started Virgin Atlantic, he had to deal with the monopoly of the govt owned British Airways..the stringent rules..bureaucracy..red tapism and a private airline sector lacking in innovation.Virgin Atlantic fought through all this ,providing its customers a whole new flying experience...a glamorous one.Delicious food..posh leather seats..liqour..movies..the Virgin experience.Remember this was in the 80s.Little wonder that Virgin became successful to the extent that it is launching Virgin Galactic...flights into space.
Cut to India about two years back..a booming private airline industry which soon became saturated.Kingfisher wrests its way through by giving its customers the Virgin experienceEven the colour of it's logo.It became successful too and the customers are simply loving it.So I wont be surpised when one day the first Indian company will offer its flight services to outer space..it will be Kingfisher.Maybe Mallya is already thinking about it.
My professor in the entrepreneurship course last semester said-"Entrepreneuship is not just about making something really innovative.At times, it is a slight modification of an existing concept."
Mallya has done just that...even to the extent of copying Branson's french beard and long hair.Amusingly enough..physique is one area he is yet to catch up on.