Shah Rukh Khan hails Captain Smit Machchhar's courage in Flydubai cockpit attack
Synopsis
Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Anil Kapoor have all praised Captain Smit Machchhar — the Flydubai pilot who, despite being seriously injured in an alleged cockpit attack by his co-pilot, opened the door for crew intervention and safely diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving 174 lives. India's film fraternity is rarely this united in saluting a single act of civilian heroism.
Key Takeaways
Shah Rukh Khan praised Captain Smit Machchhar on X , saying 'the country is proud of you' following the Flydubai flight FZ1073 incident.
Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 people.
Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling crew and passengers to intervene, and the plane was safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia .
Salman Khan also saluted the pilot on X, calling it an honour to fly with him.
Actor Anil Kapoor shared a personal tribute, noting his business manager Jalal had known Captain Machchhar since flying school.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery during a terrifying mid-air incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, saying the pilot 'stood strong when it mattered the most.' The outpouring of celebrity tributes comes after Captain Machchhar was seriously injured — yet managed to save 174 lives — when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
What Shah Rukh Khan Said
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Shah Rukh Khan wrote: 'Captain Smit Machchhar, you stood strong when it mattered the most!! It's not easy to stare adversity in the face and put one's safety on the line… but you did just that to protect those onboard and showed us what being a Captain entails. A true display of courage and duty. Wishing you a speedy recovery, the country is proud of you…'
Khan emphasised that the entire nation was 'extremely proud' of the pilot, who displayed remarkable composure under life-threatening circumstances.
The Incident Aboard FZ1073
Captain Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot inside the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 people — passengers and crew — on a route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Captain Machchhar is currently recovering.
Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor Also Pay Tribute
Actor Salman Khan was among the first prominent voices to applaud the pilot, posting on X: 'Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.' Actor Anil Kapoor added a personal dimension to the tribute, revealing that his business manager Jalal had known Captain Machchhar since flying school. Kapoor wrote: 'What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first.'
Broader Recognition From the Entertainment World
The tributes reflect a broader wave of admiration across India's entertainment industry for Captain Machchhar's conduct during what officials have described as an unprecedented in-flight security situation. Notably, such expressions of solidarity from A-list actors rarely converge on a single non-film individual, underscoring the magnitude of public sentiment around the pilot's actions.
As Captain Machchhar continues his recovery, calls have grown — from both inside and outside the industry — for formal recognition of his service and bravery.
Point of View
Salman Khan, and Anil Kapoor on a single tribute is itself a signal — India's biggest entertainment names rarely align so swiftly on a non-film moment. Captain Machchhar's story cuts through because it is unambiguously selfless: no controversy, no grey area, just a man choosing duty over personal safety with 174 lives in the balance. What is missing from the celebrity chorus, however, is substantive pressure on aviation authorities to investigate how a co-pilot could allegedly attack a captain mid-flight — a systemic question that deserves as much attention as the individual heroism.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?
Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot inside the cockpit. Despite serious injuries, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door to allow crew and passengers to intervene, and the aircraft landed safely.
What did Shah Rukh Khan say about Captain Smit Machchhar?
Shah Rukh Khan posted on X that Captain Machchhar 'stood strong when it mattered the most' and called his actions 'a true display of courage and duty,' adding that the entire country was proud of him and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Which other Bollywood celebrities paid tribute to Captain Machchhar?
Salman Khan posted on X saluting Captain Machchhar and saying it would 'be a pleasure to fly with' him. Anil Kapoor also shared a tribute, noting a personal connection through his business manager Jalal, who knew the pilot since flying school.
How is Captain Smit Machchhar currently?
According to reports, Captain Machchhar sustained serious injuries during the cockpit attack but is currently recovering. Shah Rukh Khan and other celebrities publicly wished him a speedy recovery.
Why is Captain Smit Machchhar being called a hero?
Captain Machchhar is being hailed as a hero because, despite being seriously injured in an alleged attack by his co-pilot, he managed to open the cockpit door to allow intervention and ensure the safe diversion and landing of an aircraft carrying 174 people.
