Mumbai: Actor Akshay Kumar and Veer Paharia starrer Sky Force made a story of squadron leader AB Devayya with only Indian Air Force officers, who were posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra.
During the production of the film, the actors formed a close bond with the Devay family. He also played an important role in helping him recover the Mahavir Chakra medal of his theft.
Squadron leader Devaya was posthumously awarded India’s second greatest valor honor for his bravery and sacrifice in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
However, a few years ago, the medal was stolen from the family’s house, destroying them. For the late officer’s wife Sundari Devayya, the medal was not just one award. It was a nutritious symbol of courage, sacrifice and memory.
“For Mummy, the medal was a symbol of my father’s courage and placed proud of his dresser,” was written by Davayya’s daughter Preetha Devaya, as shared in a press note by the family.
While making Sky Force, Veer Pahiya came home to meet the Devay family, and when he now learned about the Mahavir Chakra of Devayya’s theft.
He, along with Akshay Kumar, took the matter “himself to get a precious medal on himself,” said Preetha Devayya.
In an amazing turn of events, the medal was finally restored and handed over to Sundari Devayya at a ceremony organized by the Indian Air Force in the training command in Bangalore.
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh Awsam VM presented the honor. “Mahavir Chakra is back home,” Preetha wrote in her post, called it “a very special moment for our family”.
Talking about the emotional moment, Preetha said, “She (mother) is so emotional, so emotional. She says that she finally feels complete. After all these years, she has peace in her heart.”
Reflecting the moment, Veer Pahariya shared: “That’s why I chose to become an actor … to spread love, create a difference and leave myself a little behind in every story.”
Akshay Kumar was recently seen in the film ‘Housefull 5’. It has received mixed reactions from the audience. For Veer Pahria, the actor is expected to be seen in many exciting projects and upcoming music undertakings.
