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Air Force Day: 20 times our protagonists played airforce officers/pilots on-screen

On the occasion of Airforce day, we give you the pilots, Flight Lieutenans, wing commanders, and squadron officers, in Indian cinema.
On the occasion of Airforce day, we give you the pilots, Flight Lieutenans, wing commanders, and squadron officers, in Indian cinema.
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Sivaji Ganesan plays a pilot, who loses his wife in an accident and decides to shower all his love and affection on his two sons and a blind daughter, in Pilot Premnath (1978).
Sivaji Ganesan plays a pilot, who loses his wife in an accident and decides to shower all his love and affection on his two sons and a blind daughter, in Pilot Premnath (1978).
This Tirulokchandar directorial was a joint Indo-Sri Lankan co-production. The film follows the pilot's mental struggle, when he finds out that one of his 3 children was not born to him
This Tirulokchandar directorial was a joint Indo-Sri Lankan co-production. The film follows the pilot's mental struggle, when he finds out that one of his 3 children was not born to him
In Panithirai (1961), Gemini Ganesan plays Mohan, a rational airline pilot, who marries a ill-fated girl who is believed to bring bad luck, as her mother died as soon as she was born.
In Panithirai (1961), Gemini Ganesan plays Mohan, a rational airline pilot, who marries a ill-fated girl who is believed to bring bad luck, as her mother died as soon as she was born.
The remake of the Hindi film Ardhangini (1959) was directed by Muktha Srininivasan. The film's twist happens when Mohan's aeroplane goes missing.
The remake of the Hindi film Ardhangini (1959) was directed by Muktha Srininivasan. The film's twist happens when Mohan's aeroplane goes missing.
Napoleon plays a pilot, whose aircraft with a scientist on board, is hijacked by three death-row convicts, in Vijayakanth-starrer, Thayagam (1996).
Napoleon plays a pilot, whose aircraft with a scientist on board, is hijacked by three death-row convicts, in Vijayakanth-starrer, Thayagam (1996).
Napoleon's character, in contrast to the hijackers' instructions, lands the aircraft in the foothills of Kashmir. The film is popular for Mansoor Ali Khan's terrorist act, with a prosthetic nose.
Napoleon's character, in contrast to the hijackers' instructions, lands the aircraft in the foothills of Kashmir. The film is popular for Mansoor Ali Khan's terrorist act, with a prosthetic nose.
In Airport (one of the rare Tamil movie of the 90s without songs), Sathyaraj plays a pilot, who gets framed for the murder of the Prime Minister.
In Airport (one of the rare Tamil movie of the 90s without songs), Sathyaraj plays a pilot, who gets framed for the murder of the Prime Minister.
The Joshi Vasu film (1993) was praised for its slick making, and Sathyaraj's brilliant depiction of the pilot.
The Joshi Vasu film (1993) was praised for its slick making, and Sathyaraj's brilliant depiction of the pilot.
Kamal Haasan plays a philanderer pilot, who bids good bye to his old ways, after marrying the love of his life, in KS Ravi Kumar's 2002 film, Panchathandiram.
Kamal Haasan plays a philanderer pilot, who bids good bye to his old ways, after marrying the love of his life, in KS Ravi Kumar's 2002 film, Panchathandiram.
Kamal's comic portrayal of the commercial pilot and Crazy Mohan's hilarious lines make this film one of the best Tamil films in the comedy genre.
Kamal's comic portrayal of the commercial pilot and Crazy Mohan's hilarious lines make this film one of the best Tamil films in the comedy genre.
Sivaji Ganesan plays dual roles as Indian Air Force pilot Flight Lieutenant Ashok, who dies in a plane crash, and his Ananth, a pilot, in Sivagamiyin Selvan (1974).
Sivaji Ganesan plays dual roles as Indian Air Force pilot Flight Lieutenant Ashok, who dies in a plane crash, and his Ananth, a pilot, in Sivagamiyin Selvan (1974).
The film, also starring Vanishri and Latha, was was a remake of the Hindi film Aradhana, starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, which itself was based on the 1946 American movie, To Each His Own.
The film, also starring Vanishri and Latha, was was a remake of the Hindi film Aradhana, starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, which itself was based on the 1946 American movie, To Each His Own.
Karthi plays a self-centred Airforce pilot, who falls deeply in love with a doctor, but is unable to handle the relationship owing to their contrasting personalities, in Mani Ratnam's Kaatru Veliyidai
Karthi plays a self-centred Airforce pilot, who falls deeply in love with a doctor, but is unable to handle the relationship owing to their contrasting personalities, in Mani Ratnam's Kaatru Veliyidai
The 2017 film is a touching portrait of the pilot reconciling to his penchant for emotional violence, when he is subjected to physical violence as as a prisoner of war.
The 2017 film is a touching portrait of the pilot reconciling to his penchant for emotional violence, when he is subjected to physical violence as as a prisoner of war.
Parvathy is brilliant as Pallavi, a pilot trainee, whose career is jeopardized when she falls victim to an acid attack by an obsessive boyfriend, in the 2019 Malayalam film, Uyare.
Parvathy is brilliant as Pallavi, a pilot trainee, whose career is jeopardized when she falls victim to an acid attack by an obsessive boyfriend, in the 2019 Malayalam film, Uyare.
Pallavi, working as a cabin crew in Uyare, gets her moment of fame, when she takes over the cockpit and the lands the flight safely, after the captain of her flight becomes unconscious.
Pallavi, working as a cabin crew in Uyare, gets her moment of fame, when she takes over the cockpit and the lands the flight safely, after the captain of her flight becomes unconscious.
In 2019's biggest blockbuster, Uri - The Surgical Strike, Kirti Kulhari plays an IAF pilot and a martyr's wife, Seerat Kaur, who's eager to prove her patriotism to her country and colleagues.
In 2019's biggest blockbuster, Uri - The Surgical Strike, Kirti Kulhari plays an IAF pilot and a martyr's wife, Seerat Kaur, who's eager to prove her patriotism to her country and colleagues.
When Seerat finally receives the opportunity, she grabs it by both hands and emerges proud and validated.
When Seerat finally receives the opportunity, she grabs it by both hands and emerges proud and validated.
R Madhavan have had a brief role in Rang De Basanti, but his role as Flight Lt. Ajay Rathod makes all the difference to the story of the 2006 film.
R Madhavan have had a brief role in Rang De Basanti, but his role as Flight Lt. Ajay Rathod makes all the difference to the story of the 2006 film.
Ajay is a picture of zing and zeal. So it's tragic when he dies in an MiG-21 plane crash, wherein the ministry suggests it was due to the former's negligence when the aircraft was actually faulty.
Ajay is a picture of zing and zeal. So it's tragic when he dies in an MiG-21 plane crash, wherein the ministry suggests it was due to the former's negligence when the aircraft was actually faulty.
Shah Rukh Khan, as IAF pilot Veer Pratap Singh, uses his license to fly to rescue a Pakistani damsel-in-distress (Preity Zinta), in Veer Zaara (2006).
Shah Rukh Khan, as IAF pilot Veer Pratap Singh, uses his license to fly to rescue a Pakistani damsel-in-distress (Preity Zinta), in Veer Zaara (2006).
SRK then leaves his job to direct his energy in creating a happily-ever after in this cross-border romance.
SRK then leaves his job to direct his energy in creating a happily-ever after in this cross-border romance.
While some films pay tribute to the spirit and spark of the Indian military, others merely use it as a plot to generate stylish action or heroic swagger. Raj Kanwar's Andaaz is one such example.
While some films pay tribute to the spirit and spark of the Indian military, others merely use it as a plot to generate stylish action or heroic swagger. Raj Kanwar's Andaaz is one such example.
Akshay Kumar plays Flight lieutenant Raj Malhotra, who has a romantic relationship with two girls, in Andaaz.
Akshay Kumar plays Flight lieutenant Raj Malhotra, who has a romantic relationship with two girls, in Andaaz.
Jackie Shroff plays Wing commander Anand Bajwa in Border (1996), J P Dutta's war epic about the Battle of Longewala, fought during the 1971 Indo Pak War.
Jackie Shroff plays Wing commander Anand Bajwa in Border (1996), J P Dutta's war epic about the Battle of Longewala, fought during the 1971 Indo Pak War.
While the rest such as Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Akshaye Khanna are part of the armed forces, Shroff as the war pilot, engages in aerial warfare.
While the rest such as Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Akshaye Khanna are part of the armed forces, Shroff as the war pilot, engages in aerial warfare.
Agnipankh (The Wings of Fire in Hindi) is a 2004 Indian film directed by Sanjiv Puri about pilots in the Indian Air Force.
Agnipankh (The Wings of Fire in Hindi) is a 2004 Indian film directed by Sanjiv Puri about pilots in the Indian Air Force.
Starring Jimmy Shergill and Shamita Shetty, Agnipankh, the film follows three Indian Air Force pilots, who are taken captive by Pakistani troops. While in jail, they meet and plan a jail-break.
Starring Jimmy Shergill and Shamita Shetty, Agnipankh, the film follows three Indian Air Force pilots, who are taken captive by Pakistani troops. While in jail, they meet and plan a jail-break.
Shahid Kapoor is seen as Squadron Leader Harinder Singh aka Harry, who falls in love with a Kashmiri woman, in Mausam (2011).
Shahid Kapoor is seen as Squadron Leader Harinder Singh aka Harry, who falls in love with a Kashmiri woman, in Mausam (2011).
Mausam was Shahid's father Pankaj Kapur's directorial debut.
Mausam was Shahid's father Pankaj Kapur's directorial debut.
Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty play Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore and Flight Lieutenant Shezad Khan, respectively, in Mani Shankar's 2005 war film.
Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty play Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore and Flight Lieutenant Shezad Khan, respectively, in Mani Shankar's 2005 war film.
The film presents the idea that real soldiers are not born, but bred. The film deals with insurgency and extremism in various parts of India.
The film presents the idea that real soldiers are not born, but bred. The film deals with insurgency and extremism in various parts of India.
As an IAF officer and Jaya's fiance, Shashi Kapoor is effortlessly dashing in uniform in Yash Chopra's Silsila (1981).
As an IAF officer and Jaya's fiance, Shashi Kapoor is effortlessly dashing in uniform in Yash Chopra's Silsila (1981).
Chopra's highly-publicised relationship stars Rekha, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, in addition to Shashi Kapoor's extended cameo
Chopra's highly-publicised relationship stars Rekha, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, in addition to Shashi Kapoor's extended cameo
The Silsila experience apparently inspired Shashi Kapoor enough to cast son Kunal as a fighter pilot in his home-production, Vijeta (1982).
The Silsila experience apparently inspired Shashi Kapoor enough to cast son Kunal as a fighter pilot in his home-production, Vijeta (1982).
The coming-of-age drama, directed by Govind Nihalani, boasts of some spectacular aircraft sequences as well as a realistic portrayal of aviation life.
The coming-of-age drama, directed by Govind Nihalani, boasts of some spectacular aircraft sequences as well as a realistic portrayal of aviation life.
In Sangam (1964, Raj Kapoor's love triangle about best friends, the showman plays Flight Lieutenant Sunder Khanna who joins the Air Force to enhance his social status and marry the woman of his dreams
In Sangam (1964, Raj Kapoor's love triangle about best friends, the showman plays Flight Lieutenant Sunder Khanna who joins the Air Force to enhance his social status and marry the woman of his dreams
Following a thrilling mid-air combat, Sunder is presumed dead and Sangam's story takes a complicated turn.
Following a thrilling mid-air combat, Sunder is presumed dead and Sangam's story takes a complicated turn.
Jahnvi Kapoor plays Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, who scripted history by venturing into a Kargil war zone, becoming the first Indian woman in combat, in her upcoming biopic.
Jahnvi Kapoor plays Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, who scripted history by venturing into a Kargil war zone, becoming the first Indian woman in combat, in her upcoming biopic.
In the film's first look, Janhvi Janhvi features in Gunjan's fighter avatar, who was later honoured with the Shaurya Vir award for displaying courage and grit during the Kargil war.
In the film's first look, Janhvi Janhvi features in Gunjan's fighter avatar, who was later honoured with the Shaurya Vir award for displaying courage and grit during the Kargil war.
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