Ajay Devgn joins SRK, Salman Khan in praising flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar

Ajay Devgn praised Captain Smit Machchhar after the flydubai pilot helped save 174 people during a mid-air attack. His actions drew support from several film stars after the aircraft was diverted safely to Tabuk.

In Short

• Ajay Devgn calls flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar a true hero
• Machchhar was stabbed mid-air by co-pilot but opened cockpit door
• Shah Rukh, Salman, Karan Johar and others praised his bravery

Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn praised flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero in every sense of the word” after the captain survived a terrifying mid-air attack that could have put 174 lives at risk. Ajay also wished him a speedy recovery after Machchhar was attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot while flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and allow others to intervene.

Ajay shared a note for Machchhar on X on Saturday. “There are heroes, and then there are those who show us what true courage looks like. Captain Smit Machchhar, you are a hero in every sense of the word. Wishing you strength and a speedy recovery,” he wrote.

Read his note here:

Ajay isn't the only Bollywood star to have spoken about the captain's actions. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Vicky Kaushal and Ranveer Singh have also praised Machchhar, while Paresh Rawal, R Madhavan, Vijay Deverakonda and Ravi Kishan were among others who wished him well.

Shah Rukh, Salman, Karan Johar salute the captain

Shah Rukh Khan praised Machchhar for putting the safety of those on board ahead of his own. “Captain Smit Machchhar, you stood strong when it mattered the most!!” he wrote, describing his actions as “a true display of courage and duty”.

Salman Khan also had a message for the pilot. “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain,” he wrote, adding that it would be a pleasure to fly with him.

Karan Johar shared a photograph of Machchhar and reflected on the decision he made in the middle of his own ordeal. He wrote that it took “another grain of courage” to fight for his own life while putting the lives of everyone else before his.

Vicky Kaushal called Machchhar a “braveheart”, while Ranveer Singh described him as “courageous”.

What happened on the flydubai flight?

The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 people, including 27 children. The aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia when Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit.

Despite being seriously injured, the captain managed to open the cockpit door. That allowed passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the attacker. Two other pilots who were travelling on the flight also helped take control of the aircraft.

The plane was eventually diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar was taken to hospital following the incident. From his hospital bed, he later spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recounted how he opened the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing others to step in and stop the attack.

- Ends