"What an inspiration...": Varun Dhawan Salutes Captain Smit Machchhar's Bravery
Actor Varun Dhawan praises Captain Smit Machchhar for his incredible bravery during the flydubai mid-air crisis. Read the hero's incredible story.
Bollywood superstar Varun Dhawan has taken to social media to express his profound respect for Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot who displayed extraordinary heroism during a terrifying mid-air crisis involving a flydubai flight. The actor described the captain's actions as a source of immense pride for the nation.
Sharing his tribute on Instagram, Dhawan wrote: “Salute to our Capt. Smit Machchhar. Your courage and bravery fills all of us with pride, What an inspiration. Jai Hind.”
The Heroic Ordeal in the Skies
The incident, which occurred on September 30, involved a flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight turned into a scene of terror when the Omani co-pilot allegedly launched a violent attack on the commander, seemingly driven by terror-related motives. The confrontation was so intense that it caused the aircraft to plummet approximately 16,000 feet in just two minutes before a hijacking distress signal was transmitted.
Despite being severely injured during the assault, Captain Machchhar refused to give up. In a recent conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the captain recounted the harrowing moments of his struggle to regain control of the plane.
"One Last Push": The Captain's Account
Speaking to the Prime Minister while recovering in a UAE hospital, Machchhar detailed his fight for survival and the safety of his passengers. He described the mental battle he faced while being physically incapacitated.
“When I was down on the floor, I sensed that the aircraft was going down. And I knew for sure: ‘This is the one last push, Smit. Just do it. The door is right there.’ Even as blows were still landing on me, I just managed to open it, sir. Then everyone else arrived. The others also played an equal role in this,” the captain told PM Modi.
Machchhar admitted that while he was fighting for his own life, his primary motivation was the safety of those on board. “Consciously, I was telling everyone that I was acting for my own survival, but at the same time, I knew deep down that I could not let all of them die,” he explained.
A Successful Emergency Landing
The crisis was eventually neutralized when flight crew members and passengers managed to breach the flight deck, helping to restrain the attacker and reassert command of the aircraft. Following the struggle, the plane performed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The outcome was nothing short of miraculous: all 180 occupants on board disembarked safely without any injuries. Currently, the captain is receiving medical care in the UAE. India's ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, has confirmed that Machchhar is in stable condition and is recovering well.
National Recognition for Bravery
The hero's actions have resonated deeply across India. In Mumbai, public displays have emerged featuring messages of gratitude, such as “Thank you Captain Smit.” Additionally, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced that the captain will be honored with the 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' for his selfless courage.