Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind during a mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight, crediting the pilot with helping protect the lives of passengers and crew members.
Wishing the captain a speedy recovery, Shah Rukh said Machchhar had displayed extraordinary courage under extreme circumstances and earned the pride of the entire country.
Taking to X, the actor praised the pilot for putting the safety of those on board ahead of his own.
“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,” Shah Rukh wrote.
Earlier, actor Salman Khan had also applauded Machchhar’s actions, saluting the pilot for his bravery and saying that it would be a pleasure to fly with him.
“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,” Salman wrote on social media.
Captain Machchhar was seriously injured aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Several prominent personalities from the entertainment industry also took to social media to commend the captain for his actions.
Actor Anil Kapoor shared that he had a personal connection to Machchhar through his business manager, Jalal, who had known the pilot since his flying school days. Kapoor said Jalal had always regarded Machchhar as someone he would want by his side in a difficult situation.
“What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first,” Kapoor wrote, praising the captain’s bravery and commitment to protecting others.
The incident has prompted tributes from celebrities, with actors highlighting Machchhar’s courage and sense of duty in the face of a serious emergency.