Veteran Actor Ashok Saraf Honoured Mid-Flight by Niece-Captain After Receiving Padma Shri
Veteran Actor Ashok Saraf Honoured Mid-Flight by Niece-Captain After Receiving Padma Shri
In a heartwarming blend of pride, family, and national honour, veteran actor Ashok Saraf, a stalwart of Marathi cinema and recent recipient of the Padma Shri, was surprised with an emotional in-flight tribute by none other than his niece Captain Aditi Paranjpe on a Delhi-Mumbai flight.
The special moment occurred shortly after Saraf was awarded India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 27, 2025. Saraf was among 68 distinguished personalities recognized for their contributions across arts, music, social work, and other fields.
A Flight to Remember
On board their return flight from Delhi to Mumbai, Saraf and his wife, actor Nivedita Saraf, were in for a once-in-a-lifetime surprise. The aircraft was being captained by Aditi Paranjpe, Nivedita’s niece, who is already admired for her viral in-flight announcements in Marathi.
As the flight took off, Captain Aditi addressed the passengers with a heartfelt announcement:
“Hello everyone! I’m your flight captain, Aditi Paranjpe. A very warm welcome aboard this flight from Delhi to Mumbai. Today’s journey holds a very special place in my heart because my uncle, Ashok Saraf, is flying with us. He has recently been awarded the Padma Shri for his outstanding contributions. It’s a moment of immense pride for me to fly alongside him. I request all of you to give him a huge round of applause in celebration. This flight is truly special and emotional for me.”
The announcement drew cheers and applause from fellow passengers, turning the cabin into a soaring celebration of love and legacy.
Emotions Run High
The deeply personal moment was shared by Aditi on her Instagram, where she described the experience as:
“An extremely emotional and unforgettable experience… a once-in-a-lifetime flight. It fills me with immense pride that I had the honor of flying with my uncle, Ashok Kaka, after he received the Padma Shri. Heartfelt congratulations once again!”
The Instagram reel quickly went viral, earning praise from celebrities and fans alike. Notable names from the Marathi film industry including Supriya Pilgaonkar, Hemant Dhome, Kshitee Jog, Rutuja Bagwe, Sanket Pathak, and Suparna Shyam applauded the touching tribute.
A Legacy Celebrated in the Skies
For Ashok Saraf, whose illustrious career spans decades in both Marathi and Hindi cinema, this mid-air tribute was more than a public gesture—it was a symbol of familial pride and national respect. As his wife Nivedita looked on with pride, the in-flight moment added a deeply emotional chapter to an already momentous occasion.
Though national honours are often remembered for their grandeur, it’s the personal, heartfelt recognitions—like that of a niece’s loving tribute from the cockpit—that often soar higher in memory.
