I’m the only actor to fly an F-16: Shahid Kapoor
Actor Shahid Kapoor, who had the rare experience of flying multirole jet fighter aircraft F-16 to adapt traits of a fighter pilot for his upcoming film Mausam, takes pride in being the only film actor to have flown that ultimate flying machine.
“I was quite fortunate that I flew an F-16 fighter plane. I don’t think any other actor has ever flown it. Even when actor Tom Cruise had done Top Gun, he had flown an F-15. It was a very exciting experience for me,” Kapoor told reporters at the first look of the film in Mumbai last week.
The actor had flown the American fighter aircraft at the AeroIndia defence exhibition in Bangalore earlier this year.
Sharing his overwhelming experience, Kapoor said: “Honestly, I was not fond of flying a plane but when I actually sat in it and flew it, I was so excited that I started shouting. It was probably the most exhilarating experience one could have. I am someone who loves speed anyway.”
“So, the fact that I was sitting in an F-16 and I was a co-pilot was unbelievable,” he added.
Kapoor made note of the mannerisms of the Indian Air Force pilots in the bases he visited and maintains that he is completely in awe of their attitude.
“I visited some air force bases to meet some pilots; I sat on the aircraft; put on the G-suit and observed how they walk with the helmet. I tried to note all that actually gives you some kind of perspective of what it is to be representing the country and to be the part of the arm force and to be an air force pilot.
“The pilots met me like, ‘Oh tu to hero hai, haan thik hai’. They all have this attitude, which is awesome. They are the real heroes,” said Kapoor.
The directorial debut of his father Pankaj Kapoor, Mausam, is a love story with actor Sonam Kapoor playing the lead opposite him.
“Mausam is about season of love. It’s about different emotions and different situations that the couple goes through. That’s the theme of the film,” said Kapoor.
Mausam is set to hit theatres on September 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2011.
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whats the big deal if he just sat in the fighter jet like a spectator? Even our Shafqat Cheema can do this...
Other than the fact that India doesn't have F-16's AND he was just riding in it NOT flying it, sounds good !
Even when he was dating Kareena and Priyanka I wasn't that jealous, now I am!!!
But, I wonder where he flew the plane considering India doesn't have them in its fleet.
I doubt he really flew it. In all probability he was just a passenger on the co-pilot's seat.
If a one-hour ride on an F-16 can make one a pilot, then why are we spending millions of dollars in rigorous selection and training of fighter pilots, not to speak of the expensive jet trainers and simulators!!!
What awesome news!
Please correct me if I am wrong. Indian AIr Force does not have F-16. Perhaps they rented one for him or I think it was some kind of exhibition or an air show and Shahid Kapoor was allowed to sit in cockpit like other spectators.
Why should we care on how he felt about flying an F-16?
If we really wanted to know we would have went on some indian website, it would be nice if you guys actually made your life style section more about Pakistan and less about india!
I think he should get an award for this !
tom cruise look alike!
Correction... Tom Cruise flew an F-14 Tomcat in Top Gun. NOT an F-15.