Sometimes, the most powerful moments in an actor’s journey happen beyond the screen. Recently, the family of Squadron Leader A.B. Devayya, portrayed by Veer Pahariya in Sky Force, took to social media to share an emotional post about the ‘return’ of their stolen Mahavir Chakra medal, and the heartfelt support they received from Veer Pahariya and Akshay Kumar.
Devayya, the only Indian Air-Force officer to be posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra, India’s second-highest Gallantry award, was honored for his bravery in the 1965 Indo-Pak war as late as 1988, when his bravery came to light, through a Pakistani writer’s account.
The Indian Air-Force (IAF) was not aware of what had happened to Devayya, first recording him missing and later declaring him dead. Later, a British writer, John Fricker, was commissioned by the Pakistani Air Force to write an account of the war derived from Pakistani sources in 1979. What led to Devayya’s death still remains a mystery. It was revealed much later by Pakistan that Devayya’s body was found almost intact by villagers not very far from Sargodha and buried.
From Fricker’s work, the IAF realized what had truly happened and in 1988 announced that the Maha Vir Chakra was to be awarded to Devayya posthumously. But a few years ago, the medal was stolen from the family’s home.
Preetha Devayya, Devayya’s daughter, wrote in her post: “When Veer came home to meet us and spend time with our family while he was filming Sky Force, he wanted to hear our story. That’s when he learnt about what had happened. He and Akshay-sir took it upon themselves to help. They persuaded the authorities to issue a fresh Maha Vir Chakra medal for my father once again. And today, because of both of them, my mother is holding the Maha Vir Chakra once again.”
The Indian Air Force hosted an intimate ceremony earlier this month at the Training Command, Bengaluru, where Air Marshal Tejinder Singh AVSM VM handed over the medal to Mrs. Sundari Devayya. The family described it as “a very special moment” — one that brought long-awaited peace and pride back home.
Preetha added, “My mother is so touched, so emotional. She keeps saying she finally feels complete. After all these years, there’s peace in her heart…Thank you Akshay-sir. Thank you Veer. You have given our family a moment we will always treasure.”
Moved by the family’s words and the moment itself, Veer Pahariya reflected on Instagram: “This is why I chose to be an actor… to spread love, make a difference, and leave a little bit of myself behind in every story.” What began as a film journey for Veer has now left an indelible mark on him as a person. His emotional words echo the true power of storytelling: when the line between reel and real disappears, and an actor’s presence brings comfort to those whose stories they honor.
