New Delhi:

Shah Rukh Khan took to social media to praise Indian pilot Captain Samit Machar, who fought the co-pilot who was allegedly trying to crash a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight was carrying 174 passengers including 27 children.

He wrote, “Captain Samit Machar, you stood strong when it mattered most. It is not easy to see adversity and put one’s safety on the line, but you did it to protect those on board and showed us what it means to be a captain. A true act of courage and duty. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Your country is proud.”

Other celebrities who shared appreciation posts

Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Sunny Deol and Tamannaah Bhatia were among those who acknowledged the pilot’s actions on social media and wished him a speedy recovery.

In his post, Ranveer has called Captain Samit ‘courageous’.

Vicky has shared a picture of Captain Mosquito inside the cockpit on her Instagram stories.

Along with the picture, he wrote, “Braveheart! Captain Samit Machar.”

Sunny Deol also posted a picture of the pilot and praised the courage shown by him during the emergency.

He wrote, “Captain Samit Machar – extraordinary courage and presence of mind when it mattered most. You helped avert a disaster and save lives. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Salute.”

Capt. Samit Machar, extraordinary courage and presence of mind when it mattered most.

You helped avert a disaster and save lives. Wish you a speedy recovery.

Sat Sri Akal 🇮🇳🙏 pic.twitter.com/kO4w9nZcVE

– Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) October 2, 2026

Tamanna Bhatia shed light on the responsibility being carried out by Captain Machar while dealing with the attack.

Sharing a text post, he wrote, “Imagine being injured, fighting for your life and still thinking about the lives of the 174 who are counting on you. Capt. Samit Machar, most respectfully praying for your recovery”.

Anil Kapoor also joined the tribute, sharing a picture of Captain Machar and reflecting on a conversation he had with his friend Jalal, who knew the pilot from their flying-school days.

He wrote, “When this happened, Jalal told me that he knew Samit from flying school and always knew him as someone he wanted to support him in a difficult situation. It made me think how much courage Samit must have had from the beginning, to recognize the people around him so quickly.”

The actor added, “What Samit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes a lot of courage to stay strong and put others first when you’re facing something so terrifying yourself. I send him all my respect and wish him a speedy recovery.”

When this happened, Jalal told me that he knew Samit from flying school and had always known him as someone he wanted to support him in a difficult situation.

It made me think how much courage Samit must have had, from the very beginning, to recognize the people around him… pic.twitter.com/1EHykR1iz2

– Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) October 2, 2026

What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?

Captain Machar was reportedly piloting flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when his co-pilot attacked inside the cockpit. The Boeing 737 had 174 people on board.

During the incident, the aircraft went downhill rapidly. Despite being injured, Captain Machar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to enter and intervene. The attacker was later captured and the plane diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Captain Machar later spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video call from his hospital bed and described how he realized the plane was descending and made a last-ditch effort to open the cockpit door.

Prime Minister Modi publicly praised the pilot’s courage and presence of mind, calling him a “hero” and crediting his actions with helping prevent a major tragedy.

This incident R. Many other Bollywood names including Madhavan, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Deverakonda, Sonam Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Jackie Shroff and Kangana Ranaut have also paid tributes.

Captain Machhar was earlier treated at a hospital in Tabuk and his condition is said to be stable. He was later flown to Abu Dhabi, where he is undergoing treatment and recovery.

Also read this | He looked may Day For years, then faced a real flydubai emergency