Aero India Show 2011: Dhoni bowled over by metal birds

PTI

Bangalore, 13 February 2011: It was a star-studded day at the aero show on Saturday. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni visited the show at 3 pm.

 

Clad in a blue jeans and a casual white T-shirt, he strolled through the area where the aircraft were exhibited, waving to fans.

 

He sat in the cockpit of Gripen and then entered an aircraft of US Air Force 5153. Later, he climbed on to the light combat helicopter as well. He watched the Sukhoi and F-18 for a while before he left the venue.

 

 

 

Flying F-16 easier than disobeying dad: Shahid Kapoor

 

Eating a banana and laughing loudly leaning on the verandah railings, Shahid Kapoor looked at ease in the dark green jumpsuit even minutes before he was to enter the F-16. After all, he has been doing it for the past one year for his latest movie Mausam, with Sonam Kapoor.

 

The Bollywood hero was at the aero show on Saturday and took a ride on a Lockheed Martin F-16 super viper. After a flight that lasted almost an hour, complete with complicated manoeuvres, he came out all smiles and athumbs-up sign, to be greeted by his fans and dad, Pankaj Kapoor.

 

Shahid arrived in a black and green outfit at around 2.15pm to the Lockheed Martin stall. Having changed into the jumpsuit with a helmet in hand, he addressed the media as aircraft flew in the background.

 

"Dad is directing a movie (Mausam) in which I am playing the role of an air force officer. I am trying to gain as much experience as I can for it. The producer and dad were keen that I get first-hand experience," he said.

 

"It was unbelievable. The experience could not be defined, it needs to be felt. We were on a mission. We went upto 10,000 feet and then the pilot let me hold the stick. We did dog fights and took a 360 degree turn. We went upto 6G, where we feel six times our body weight," he said.

 

"This is a privilege, a prestigious opportunity that civilians will not get. I think I am the first Indian actor to fly an F-16," he said.

 

When asked whether he was scared before getting into the aircraft, he said, "I think there’s a little bit of anxiety somewhere. But, I am very excited. The fear is hidden because of the excitement. Disobeying dad is even more difficult," he joked. He was seen hugging his dad and friends before going for the flight.

 

Shahid was undergoing training, meant both for the movie and this flight, for almost one year. "It was mainly meant for maintaining my physique. Now, I just had some time in the simulator in order to get a feel of the atmosphere inside the cockpit. Flying is a bad habit. It’s very addictive!" he said.

 

Shahid recalled how he wanted to become a pilot when he was a child. "When I grew up, I knew it was not for me and tried other areas. I have utmost respect for the Air Force pilots. They are the real heroes of the country," he added. "People should get to know about their lives and be inspired by the initiative (movie). The movie is a love story. The Air Force becomes a big and brave part of it. I am not competing with any of the movies made earlier on the same themes," said Pankaj Kapoor.