Anil Kapoor salutes injured Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar: 'Nothing short of extraordinary'
Synopsis
Anil Kapoor has joined a growing chorus of public figures — including PM Modi — saluting Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar, who was attacked by his own co-pilot mid-flight yet managed to ensure 174 passengers landed safely. The Bollywood star shared a personal connection to the pilot through a mutual friend, giving his tribute an unusually intimate weight.
Key Takeaways
Anil Kapoor publicly praised Captain Smit Machchhar via a social media post, calling his actions 'nothing short of extraordinary.' Machchhar was allegedly attacked in the cockpit by his co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 on 30 September , en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv .
The Boeing 737 was carrying 174 people ; it was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia .
Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly opened the cockpit door to allow crew to restrain the attacker.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called the pilot in hospital; numerous Bollywood celebrities have also expressed admiration.
Machchhar has since been transferred to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care.
Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor has publicly expressed his admiration for Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian Flydubai pilot who sustained serious injuries after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him mid-flight on 30 September 2026. Kapoor shared a photograph of Machchhar in the cockpit alongside a heartfelt message, calling the pilot's actions an act of extraordinary courage.
What Anil Kapoor Said
Kapoor revealed that a mutual friend named Jalal had known Captain Machchhar since their flying-school days. He wrote, 'When this happened, Jalal told me he knows Smit since flying school and had always known him to be someone he'd want by his side in a difficult situation. It made me think about how much courage Smit must have had, right from the beginning, for the people around him to recognise it so early on.'
He added, 'What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first when you're facing something so terrifying yourself. Sending him all my respect and wishing him a speedy recovery.'
What Happened Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073
Captain Smit Machchhar was reportedly piloting Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him in the cockpit and attempted to interfere with the aircraft's controls. The Boeing 737 was carrying 174 people. The aircraft experienced a rapid descent during the incident before passengers and crew members intervened.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to enter and restrain the attacker. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The pilot initially received treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, where he was reported to be in stable condition, before being shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care.
National and Celebrity Outpouring of Praise
The incident has drawn widespread admiration from across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke to Captain Machchhar from his hospital bed and publicly commended his courage and presence of mind.
Several Bollywood personalities have also voiced their support, including R. Madhavan, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Deverakonda, Sonam Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Jackie Shroff, and Kangana Ranaut. The collective response underscores how Captain Machchhar's composure under extreme duress has resonated far beyond the aviation community.
What Comes Next
Captain Machchhar continues his recovery in Abu Dhabi. The alleged conduct of the co-pilot is expected to be subject to regulatory and legal scrutiny by aviation authorities. This comes amid renewed global conversations about cockpit security protocols and crew mental health screening — areas that safety experts say warrant urgent review following incidents of this nature.
Point of View
But it should not crowd out scrutiny of the systemic gaps — in crew mental health screening and cockpit security protocols — that allowed the crisis to unfold in the first place.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot employed by Flydubai who was reportedly attacked in the cockpit by his co-pilot during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling crew members to restrain the attacker and divert the aircraft safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
What did Anil Kapoor say about Smit Machchhar?
Anil Kapoor shared a photograph of Machchhar in the cockpit on his social media account and described his actions as 'nothing short of extraordinary.' Kapoor also revealed a personal connection, noting that a mutual friend named Jalal had known the pilot since flying school and had always regarded him as someone dependable in a crisis.
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?
Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 carrying 174 people, was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar and attempted to interfere with the aircraft's controls. The plane experienced a rapid descent before passengers and crew intervened. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Where is Captain Machchhar receiving treatment?
Captain Machchhar initially received treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where he was reported to be in stable condition. He was subsequently transferred to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care and recovery.
Which other public figures have praised Captain Machchhar?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called Captain Machchhar in hospital and publicly commended his courage. Several Bollywood celebrities have also expressed admiration, including R. Madhavan, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Deverakonda, Sonam Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Jackie Shroff, and Kangana Ranaut.
