1 Line Review: Bravery cannot be rated. Movies can be.
Neerja is a movie based on the real story of the chief flight attendant – Neerja Bhanot’s bravery during an American aircraft (Pan Am fFlight 73) highjack incident which happened as soon as the plan landed in Karachi on 5th Sept 1986. With quick thinking she alerted the cockpit about the hijack and as a true bunch of cowards, all the pilots jumped out of the plane and escaped leaving Neeraj (age 22) as the senior most crew member to handle the situation which involved 376 passengers, 15 other crew members and 4 terrorists. What Neerja did out there is so so commendable that any number of award will not match her bravery. Even though she is the recipient (posthumously) of India’s highest gallantry award for bravery – Ashoka Chakra Award and many other. Nothing can ever come close to how she handled the situation. Neeraja died when shots were sprayed all across the plane after this 17 hour ordeal, she saved 3 children but taking the shots on her back. One of those 3 children is a pilot now and attributes each day of his life to Neerja.
The story gave me goosebumps as soon as I read about it when the trailers came out. Until then I did not know about her. With a run time of 2 hours, I found the movie a little too long. But then its Bollywood, how can you not make a movie without a couple of songs force fitted here and there. I get it. Sonam Kapoor did ok portraying the role of this brave soul. I would be biased by saying I don’t think she can ever act but I will give her points for trying. Much better than Sonam, I found Shabana Azmi’s role (as Neerja’s mother) in the movie. Her speech in the end will surely bring tears in your eyes. I could relate to her pain much more than Sonam. Yogendra Tiku (as Neerja’s father) acted super as well. Quick Movie trivia – The entire Pan Am airplane was a set. It took almost 2 months to build it.
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| Neerja Bhanot |
Neerja was not only a flight attendant, she was also a successful model who had appeared in multiple print and TV commercials, including the famous Krackjack biscuits, Amul, Benzer, Chirag Din and many more. Neerja’s mom has gone on record saying my daughter was much more beautiful than Sonam. Truth be told.
Bonus Video 1 – Interview of Neerja’s mother (she passed away last year):
Bonus Video 2 – Story as told on an American News Channel:
Bonus Video 3 – Neerja’s various ads where she featured:
Go watch the movie. You are bound to watch this act of bravery.