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While Sky Force, released on January 24, 2025, didn’t set the box office on fire, it left behind something far more powerful than commercial success—a real-life act of honor and humanity by its lead actors, Akshay Kumar and debutant Veer Pahadia.

Sky Force told the story of Squadron Leader AB Devayya, the only Indian Air Force officer to be posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his bravery during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. In the film, Veer Pahadia portrayed this courageous pilot, while Akshay Kumar played Group Captain OP Taneja.

But behind the scenes, a heartbreaking truth came to light: the original Mahavir Chakra medal awarded to AB Devayya had been stolen from his family.

While interacting with the family during the shoot, Veer Pahadia learned of the missing medal. Shocked and moved, both Veer and Akshay took it upon themselves to help. Their efforts paid off—they located the lost Mahavir Chakra and personally returned it to Devayya’s family, restoring a vital piece of Indian military history.

Preetha Devayya, daughter of the war hero, shared the story on Instagram. In a touching post, she thanked both actors for their compassion and efforts. She revealed that Veer’s visit to their home during the shoot led to this incredible gesture, and that both actors went beyond their roles to honor a national hero.

“Thank you Akshay and Veer for giving us back a part of our father,” she wrote.

Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapoor and Sandeep Kewlani, Sky Force depicted India's daring airstrike on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase during the 1965 war. Despite underwhelming numbers at the box office, the film—and more importantly, its actors—left an emotional impact that numbers can’t measure.

While Sky Force may have faltered commercially, Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahadia emerged as real-life heroes, showing that sometimes the greatest victories happen off-screen. In retrieving and restoring a lost symbol of valor, they not only honored Squadron Leader AB Devayya’s legacy, but also reminded the country what true respect and gratitude look like.