Actress Bhagyashrii Borse, currently shooting for the Mohanlal-starrer 'Operation Ganga' in Georgia, has joined a growing chorus of Indian film stars praising Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who thwarted an attempt to crash a FlyDubai flight, calling him a 'Real Life Hero' in a heartfelt appreciation post on social media.

What Bhagyashrii Borse Said

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Borse penned a tribute to the brave pilot, writing: 'Thank you, Captain Smit. The Real Life hero! Some heroes are silent, wearing their uniforms and simply doing their duty. But when the moment demands it, their invisible cape appears, revealing the true Indian hero within. India is proud of you sir.'

The post reflects a wave of national pride that has swept across India since the incident came to light, with celebrities from across the film industry lending their voices to honour the pilot.

What Happened Aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073

Captain Smit Machchhar was at the controls of FlyDubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, when his co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. The co-pilot reportedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit, leaving the captain with serious injuries.

Despite sustaining those injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other crew members to intervene and subdue the threat. The flight was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The incident has been widely described as a near-catastrophe averted through one man's extraordinary presence of mind.

Bollywood Rallies Behind the Indian Pilot

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was among the first film personalities to publicly honour Machchhar. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) timeline, Khan wrote: '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 also shared a tribute, revealing a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal, who had known Smit since flying school. In his post, Kapoor wrote in part: 'What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first...' He went on to wish the captain a speedy recovery.

Why the Story Resonates Nationally

Captain Machchhar's actions have struck a deep chord across India, with tributes pouring in from politicians, aviation professionals, and the public alike. This comes amid heightened global concern over aviation security and in-cockpit safety protocols. Notably, incidents involving crew attempting to harm their own aircraft — though exceedingly rare — have prompted international discussions about mandatory two-person cockpit rules on all flights.

As Machchhar recovers from his injuries, India's aviation community and the broader public continue to rally around him, with more voices expected to join the outpouring of gratitude in the days ahead.