FlyDubai Hijacking Incident Set for Development as an Inspirational Movie by Dori Media Group and India’s Sphereorigin
Dori Media Group and India’s Sphereorigin are developing a narrative film about the September 30 FlyDubai hijacking attempt, which authorities believe was a terror plot by the co-pilot. The story centres on how injured captain Smit Machchhar and passengers helped stop the suspected attacker, turning a potential disaster into a widely praised rescue.
The flight was carrying mainly Israeli passengers travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it reportedly plunged more than 14,000 feet for about 30 seconds. After Machchhar opened the locked cockpit door, passengers subdued the co-pilot; two other pilots on board then landed the plane safely in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot is under arrest and faces prosecution in the UAE, while Machchhar is recovering. The production partners have yet to find a writer and director.
- Dori Media and Sphereorigin are developing a film about the hijacking attempt.
- Injured captain Smit Machchhar and passengers helped stop the suspected attacker.
- Two pilots landed the plane safely in Riyadh.
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On 30 September, a FlyDubai passenger flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with mainly Israeli passengers on board. The aircraft suddenly lost more than 14,000 feet in altitude over about 30 seconds, and authorities suspect its co-pilot was attempting a terrorist attack.
The injured captain, Smit Machchhar, opened the locked cockpit door, and passengers helped restrain the co-pilot. Two other pilots on board landed the plane safely in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The incident has drawn attention to the roles of crew and passengers in responding to a suspected attack on an aircraft.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A film could honour the captain and passengers’ courage, preserve public memory of a frightening event and bring their actions to a wide audience. A carefully researched, human-centred account may also help viewers understand the teamwork and quick decisions that prevented a catastrophe.
The case against
Turning a recent suspected terror plot into an inspirational film risks simplifying an unresolved criminal case and presenting uncertain details as settled. The project could also exploit the ordeal of survivors or the injured captain, particularly if they have little say in how their experiences are portrayed.