Indian Air Force fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has taken premature retirement from the force after 22 years of service and has reportedly moved to commercial aviation.

The former Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, according to a report citing sources. The report said Varthaman joined the airline in August.

Varthaman has not made any public statement about the reported move. A spokesperson for FLY91 also declined to provide personal information about its employees, describing it as a private matter.

What is FLY91?

FLY91 is a regional airline based in Goa that began flight operations in March 2024. According to the report, the airline currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft and has bases in Goa and Hyderabad.

Abhinandan Varthaman’s 2019 aerial combat

Varthaman became widely known following the India-Pakistan aerial confrontation in February 2019.

After a suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 CRPF personnel, India carried out air strikes against a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp in Balakot, according to the Indian government’s account.

The following day, the Pakistan Air Force launched a response, leading to an aerial engagement between the two sides. Varthaman, who was a Wing Commander at the time, was flying a MiG-21 when his aircraft was hit. He ejected and was subsequently captured by Pakistani forces.

According to the Indian government’s account and his Vir Chakra citation, Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the aerial engagement before his own aircraft was hit. He was held in Pakistan for three days and was released on the night of March 1, 2019. He sustained injuries while ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison.

He was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his actions during the dogfight. The award was conferred in 2021. The award citation described him as displaying an “exceptional sense of duty”.

His reported transition to FLY91 marks a new phase in his aviation career, taking him from military fighter operations to commercial flying.

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his celebrated 21-year career with the Argentina national team.

The 39-year-old forward confirmed his decision after leading Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time, with Messi’s international career ending after another appearance in a World Cup final.

Messi made his senior international debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to become the country’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer. He finished his international career with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

Messi’s Argentina career

Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team included several painful defeats before he eventually led the side to major international honours.

He won the Copa América in 2021 before guiding Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. Argentina also won the 2024 Copa América during his later international career.

The 2026 World Cup became his sixth appearance at the tournament. Argentina reached the final but fell short against Spain.

In announcing his decision, Messi said the choice was painful but that he understood the time had come to close this chapter of his career. He also expressed his continued love for representing Argentina.

Messi’s international records

Messi leaves Argentina as its most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

His international honours include the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. His international career also included Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008.

Messi’s decision applies to international football and does not mean he has retired from the sport altogether. He remains a player for Inter Miami at club level.

Batwara 1947 has had a disappointing run at the box office, and actor Shabana Azmi has now shared her thoughts on why the film may not have connected with audiences. According to Azmi, one possible reason could be the difficulty some viewers had in accepting Sunny Deol as a Muslim character.

The film, which also features Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi, was released on August 14. It has reportedly earned around Rs 53 crore so far, while Awarapan 2, which released on the same day, has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark.

Shabana Azmi on Sunny Deol’s Muslim character

Discussing the film’s response, Shabana Azmi questioned whether audiences were able to accept Sunny Deol in a Muslim role.

She compared the situation with Amitabh Bachchan’s earlier performances in which he portrayed Muslim characters. Azmi pointed to Deewaar, where Bachchan’s character is associated with the number 786, and said such portrayals had been accepted by audiences.

Azmi also suggested that there may have been confusion among some viewers about Sunny Deol’s character in Batwara 1947. She said that even some people who had watched the film believed Deol was playing a Pakistani character, whereas, according to her, he plays an Indian Muslim.

What Shabana Azmi said about the film’s reception

Azmi said she was surprised by the contrast between the appreciation she had heard from people who watched the film and its weak theatrical performance.

According to her, viewers who discussed the film with her had praised its message of humanity, but that appreciation did not translate into enough people going to theatres.

She also questioned whether audiences were uncomfortable with the film’s India-Pakistan subject. Azmi maintained that the film’s message was not politically incorrect and praised Sunny Deol’s performance.

Batwara 1947 vs Awarapan 2 at the box office

The poor performance of Batwara 1947 has become more noticeable because the film released alongside Awarapan 2. While Batwara 1947 has struggled commercially, Awarapan 2 has performed significantly better at the box office.

The contrast has added to the discussion around the reception of the Sunny Deol-starrer, particularly after Azmi offered her view on why audiences may not have connected with the film.