Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Actor Praises Pilot for Renewing Faith in Hanuman Chalisa
Actor Shobhinaw Satyaa praised pilot Smit Machchhar for showing bravery during a dangerous flight incident.
Machchhar was hurt after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe.
The reason for the alleged attack is not known.
The plane began losing altitude, and Machchhar tried to open the cockpit door while injured.
Two reserve pilots took over and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar later said he chants the Hanuman Chalisa with his son every day.
He told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the prayer gave him strength.
Satyaa said Machchhar’s story reminded people that heroes still exist and renewed attention to the prayer.
Actor Shobhinaw Satyaa praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery during an incident aboard a flydubai flight.
Satyaa said Machchhar’s account of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa highlighted the prayer’s importance to people of faith.
Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he chants the prayer daily with his son.
On September 30, Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe; the motive remains unclear.
Two reserve pilots landed the flight safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Machchhar was recovering in Abu Dhabi.
- Who
- Actor Shobhinaw Satyaa praised Captain Smit Machchhar.
- What
- Satyaa said Machchhar’s bravery and account of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa had renewed people’s appreciation of the prayer.
- When
- The flight incident occurred on September 30; Satyaa’s praise was shared at a recent India Today event.
- Where
- The incident occurred aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar was hospitalized in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- Satyaa said Machchhar’s actions and his account of drawing strength from the Hanuman Chalisa reminded people that heroes still exist and reinforced their faith.
- Actor
- Shobhinaw Satyaa, who portrayed Neem Karoli Baba in Hanuman Ansh
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Flight
- flydubai flight FZ1073, bound for Israel
- Incident date
- September 30
- Passengers
- The flight was carrying 174 passengers
- Landing
- Two reserve pilots landed the plane safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Health update
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Machchhar was recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi
- Film
- Hanuman Ansh reportedly cost less than Rs 2 crore to make and earned around Rs 450 crore worldwide