Brief
Dori Media and Sphereorigin to film FlyDubai hijacking story
The partnership was sealed at Cannes' MIPCOM after streaming platforms showed interest in the dramatic rescue.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The dramatic events of the FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 hijacking on 30 September 2026 are being turned into a narrative film by Dori Media Group and India’s Sphereorigin, Variety reported. The incident involved a co‑pilot allegedly stabbing the captain, Capt. Smit Machchhar, and attempting to steer the Boeing 737 MAX 8 toward Ben‑Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Passengers and the injured pilot managed to subdue the attacker, allowing the aircraft to descend rapidly before landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Sphereorigin’s managing director Sunjoy Waddhwa said streaming platforms and broadcasters in India approached the company to tell the “heroic story of the Indian pilot and the courageous Israeli passengers.” She added that the deal was brokered by Subhadarshi Tripathy, who has a long‑standing relationship with Dori Media. The two firms met at the MIPCOM content market in Cannes, where Dori Media chief Nadav Palti received a call on 11 October and finalized the development pact by the afternoon of 14 October.
Palti told Variety that the speed of the agreement reflected a desire to capture a story he described as “nothing short of a miracle.” He said the film will focus on Machchhar’s skill and the bravery of the passengers who helped avert a potential tragedy. The co‑pilot accused of the attack remains under arrest and faces prosecution by UAE authorities.
According to the article, Machchhar, who is recovering from his injuries in a Saudi hospital, became a national hero in both India and Israel after the incident. The film project aims to portray his presence of mind in opening the cockpit door after being stabbed, which allowed passengers to become aware of the struggle and intervene.
Key facts
- FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 was hijacked on 30 September 2026 when a co‑pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane into Ben‑Gurion Airport. (variety.com)
- Passengers and the injured pilot overpowered the attacker, and the aircraft landed safely in Tabuz, Saudi Arabia. (variety.com)
- Dori Media Group and India's Sphereorigin signed a development pact for a narrative film about the incident at MIPCOM in Cannes between 11 and 14 October 2026. (variety.com)
- Sphereorigin managing director Sunjoy Waddhwa and Dori Media chief Nadav Palti were quoted about the partnership and the story’s significance. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “FlyDubai Hijacking Incident Set for Development as an Inspirational Movie by Dori Media Group and India’s Sphereorigin”
