Who is Ajjamada B. Devayya? Why is his community against Veer Pahariya playing him in Sky Force
Akshay Kumar’s recently released movie Sky Force has caused some upset within the Kodava community in Karnataka. The film about India’s first airstrike during the 1965 war with Pakistan, shows Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya as a Tamilian, even though he belongs to the Kodava community in Kodagu. Debutant Veer Pahariya who plays the role of Devayya in the movie has been lately facing backlash along with the makers for ethnic inaccuracies.
The Kodava community who are known for its strong warrior traditions has voiced their frustration online. Some members have even created videos and posts calling out the filmmakers for manipulating their heritage. One such video by Tanya, a lawyer from the Kodava community, has gone viral. In a long video, she criticized the filmmakers for distorting historical facts. Watch here:-
For the unversed, The Kodava community has produced several popular figures in India’s military history, including Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the nation’s first commander-in-chief, and General KS Thimayya, the third Chief of Army Staff.
Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, MVC, is a celebrated figure in India’s military history. He is the only Indian Air Force officer to have been awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) posthumously in 1988, the second-highest wartime bravery award in India. During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Devayya was part of a mission targeting the Pakistani airbase at Sargodha.
Devayya was born on December 24, 1932, in Coorg, Karnataka, and was the son of Dr. Bopayya. In 1954, he joined the Indian Air Force as a pilot. When the 1965 war began, he was an instructor at the Air Force Flying College. Later, he was posted to the No.1 "Tigers" Squadron and flew the Mystere IVa fighter bomber. During the mission, although he was initially on standby, Devayya joined the air battle and encountered a Pakistani F-104 Starfighter.
Despite his aircraft being damaged, he successfully shot down the enemy plane. His plane was destroyed in the process, and it is assumed he died while flying over Pakistani territory.
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Aditya Sagar is a journalist at Indiatimes, blending his love for entertainment with sprinkles of lifestyle and whatever's catching fire at the moment. With a pulse on Bollywood and an ear to the ground for the latest trends, he steers the world of cinema, style, and viral stories with finesse. Your go-to guide for the glitz, gossip, and everything in between, find him @theadityasagar across all social platforms.
