Mumbai: Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have lauded Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for putting the safety of passengers before his own after being stabbed by his co-pilot mid-flight.
Machchhar was reportedly injured while operating a Flydubai flight carrying 174 people, but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to overpower the attacker.
Taking to X, Shah Rukh 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…”
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.…
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 3, 2026
Shah Rukh’s praise follows Salman’s appreciation of Smit’s bravery a day earlier.
Taking to X on Friday night, Salman penned a heartfelt note for Machchhar. He wrote, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain (You’ve done a fantastic job, Pilot-ji; we all salute you) Will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.”
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 Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 2, 2026
The two superstars are among several Bollywood celebrities who have rallied behind Captain Smit.
Sharing a photo of Machchhar, filmmaker Karan Johar wrote, “It takes another grain of courage to be fighting for your own life but in that split second, put the lives of all others before yours. And that’s what captain Smit Machchhar did in the face of the toughest times. And for that, the entire country & humankind is behind you! Thank you for your selfless, courageous and brave heart, you are an inspiration for the generations to come.”
Vicky Kaushal hailed the captain as a “braveheart”, while Ranveer Singh called him “courageous”.
Several other stars, including Paresh Rawal, R Madhavan, Vijay Deverakonda and Ravi Kishan, also praised Machchhar and wished him a speedy recovery.
Captain Smit Machchhar was piloting Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when he was stabbed by his co-pilot while the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia on September 30.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling those on board to restrain the attacker.
Two pilots travelling as passengers then helped take control of the aircraft, which was diverted and safely landed at Tabuk airport.
Machchhar was later hospitalised and spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident.
