"Neerja" is a biopic made on the life of an extraordinary brave woman, Neerja Bhanot, a 23 year old bubbly and beautiful model and air hostess who lost her life saving the lives of her passengers in the ill fated Pan Am Flight 73 which got hijacked in Karachi on 5 September, 1986. She was the youngest and the first woman recipient of the Ashok Chakra award.
The movie has been made with a lot of heart and soul, which makes "Neerja" an outstanding biopic and a movie to remember. Here are the 10 things which make Neerja a MUST WATCH biopic:
1. More Fact, Minimal Fiction
In order to commercialize movies, Bollywood often pours a lot of fiction, even while making a biopic or a movie based on a real incident. However, Neerja relies heavily on fact and that is the reason why you will be able to connect to this movie on an emotional level.
2. Sonam Kapoor's credible performance
Just like everyone, I was also skeptical about Sonam's acting skills and doubted whether she can do justice to the character of Neerja Bhanot. Sonam surprises immensely with this movie. Right from the first scene when we spot her, talking to a cabbie and telling him "Babumoshai! Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi", it feels we are watching Neerja on screen, not Fashionista Sonam Kapoor. Her performance is honest and touching. We can see her reading two letters at two different situations and she impresses both the time. Her vulnerability is palpable and her liveliness is infectious. Sonam makes us believe that she is Neerja and that no other actor would have looked more believable as Neerja than her.
3. Shabana Azmi as Neerja's mother
The speech of Shabana Azmi during the last few minutes of the movie will move anyone to tears. She reminisces how Neerja was a simple and a bubbly girl who was fond of Rajesh Khanna's movies. She can't fathom how Neerja got the courage to save so many passengers, without caring for her own life. But even when she died, she taught her mother how to live life by sending a message to her through a kid "Pushpa, I hate tears".
4. Perfect screenplay and cinematography
The movie could have been easily boring as all we see is more than 350 passengers hijacked in a plane, but the screenplay is so tight that you don't get bored for even a minute. The flashback scenes of Neerja's abusive marriage are wonderfully weaved with the scenes where she battles with her fear against the terrorists.
The cinematography makes things look realistic and believable.
5. No subplots and every actor justified in his/her role
Unlike most Bollywood movies, Neerja is not crowded with several subplots of the passengers in the flight that could have taken away the soul of the biopic. Each and every actor was justified in his/her role, be it Yogender Tiku as Neerja's father or Shekhar Ravjiani as Neerja's lover. The terrorists were really terrifying.
6. Top notch direction
Ram Madhvani's top notch direction made this movie outstanding. The director knows how to tell the story of a hero, without any melodrama and exaggeration.
7. Neerja teaches you to love life
Neerja is in love with life. She spreads happiness and love all around. Her infectious energy and liveliness makes you adore her. She believes that life needs to be worthy and notable, not lengthy.
8. Nothing is more important than being a good human being
Neerja inspires you to find the humanity within yourself. She inspires you to be kind and compassionate. She makes you feel that there is nothing more important than being a good human being. We all will die one day...leaving back our small acts of kindness. The scene where she dies saving the lives of three kids will teach you the essence of humanity.
9. Think of solutions without getting nervous
During danger, we panic and tend to lose our judgment. This movie teaches you that it's okay to panic, but when you are in a problem, you should first think of solutions.Instead of getting paralyzed with fear, Neerja gives the hijack code to the pilots that helps them to escape. She also saves more than 350 lives due to her wit and quick thinking.
10. You need to know the story of Neerja Bhanot
Lastly and most importantly, you need to know the story of Neerja Bhanot. Her incredible bravery and kindness stems from her own personal struggle. She is a hero, a true Indian and a beautiful human being, Watch this movie to know her story!
What did you like the most in Neerja? Haven't watched it, yet? Then please go see the movie!
