Anil Kapoor has shared a heartfelt tribute to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian flydubai pilot who was seriously injured during a cockpit incident on flight FZ1073. The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when an altercation involving the co-pilot left Machchhar injured and forced the aircraft to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Despite his injuries, Machchhar played a crucial role in helping passengers and crew intervene, after which the aircraft was brought to safety.
Sharing his thoughts on social media, Anil Kapoor wrote, "When this happened, Jalal told me he knows Smit since flying school and had always known him to be someone he’d want by his side in a difficult situation. It made me think about how much courage Smit must have had, right from the beginning, for the people around him to recognise it so early on. What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first when you’re facing something so terrifying yourself. Sending him all my respect and wishing him a speedy recovery." Kapoor's message reflects on the captain's character beyond the dramatic events of the flight, highlighting how people who knew him earlier in his career had already recognised his ability to remain dependable during difficult situations.
Machchhar's actions during the flight have received widespread attention since the incident. Reports say the Boeing 737 experienced a dramatic loss of altitude during the cockpit struggle, while Machchhar, despite suffering injuries, managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew members to assist in restraining the attacker, while two off-duty pilots on board subsequently helped operate the aircraft before it landed safely in Tabuk. Reports have put the number of passengers at 174, with all those on board reported safe.
The Mumbai-born pilot has extensive aviation experience, having spent more than a decade with SpiceJet before joining flydubai in 2022. His professional background includes around 9,750 hours of flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft, according to reports based on his professional profile. His journey into aviation itself was not originally planned, as he had studied textile engineering before becoming interested in flying during his management studies and later undergoing pilot training in New Zealand.
Anil Kapoor's post also brings attention to the personal connections surrounding Machchhar at a time when his actions have been discussed internationally. Kapoor referred to his business manager Jalal's longstanding acquaintance with the pilot from flying school, saying that Jalal had always considered Machchhar someone he would want beside him in a crisis. The actor's tribute focuses on that early impression of courage and reliability, while also sending his wishes for the captain's recovery. Machchhar has since been receiving medical treatment, with reports indicating that he was transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi and was in stable condition.
The incident has drawn messages of support from several prominent figures, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke with Machchhar during his recovery and praised his actions. The wider circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation remain under investigation by authorities. For now, Anil Kapoor's message adds another voice to the public tributes being shared for the pilot, focusing on the courage Machchhar displayed during an extraordinary emergency and wishing him a speedy recovery.