Bollywood stars including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Randeep Hooda, Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna and Ranveer Singh have praised FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar for saving more than 170 passengers.

Shah Rukh Khan called the pilot’s actions “a true display of courage and duty.” Randeep Hooda described Machchhar as the “pride of India.” The stars posted their messages after the captain recounted the September 30 attack in a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3.

Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot, who tried to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The captain opened the cockpit door and called for help. Passengers restrained the attacker while backup crew landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

“Smit bhai has saved so many lives. It is a huge feat,” Modi told the pilot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also invited Machchhar and Modi to light the flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony.

The pilot is recovering in an Israeli hospital. The UAE’s top prosecutor has called the case a “dangerous terrorist act.” The co-pilot was reportedly removed from Oman Air earlier over extremist views.