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Film review: ‘Neerja’ is a tender salute to a 23-year-old woman’s valour

Film review: ‘Neerja’ is a tender salute to a 23-year-old woman’s valour

Ram Madhvani’s biopic on air hostess Neerja Bhanot is a lump-in-the-throat account of courage under fire.
20 Feb, 2016

The incredible story of Pan Am air hostess Neerja Bhanot, who died while helping passengers escape from Palestinian terrorists on the hijacked flight 73, is based in 1986, but the tragedy has greater resonance at a time when the slaying of innocents in the name of ideology has become an almost daily occurrence.

Ram Madhvani’s movie, based on a screenplay by Mary Kom writer Saiwyn Quadras, focuses on the hours leading up to the attack and its immediate aftermath. The opening sequence inter-cuts between Neerja (Sonam Kapoor) and her loving family in Mumbai on the night before she leaves for her assigned flight and members of the Abu Nidal Organisation preparing for the attack in Karachi. Neerja has overcome a violent marriage and returned to the family fold, and she has a job she loves, a boyfriend (Shekhar Ravjiani), and several modelling assignments. When she gets on to the ill-fated flight, she is the very picture of victory against adversity.

Neerja transforms into a heroine for the ages soon after the terrorists take over the plane. The filmmakers overcome the difficulty of not knowing what was going on inside the young woman’s head by inserting flashbacks to her troubled marriage and her father’s constant encouragement to be brave. As far as psychological motivations for Neerja’s actions go, this is all we get.

Like the January release Airlift, Madhvani’s movie puts Neerja at the front of the action. She alone, among the entire crew, keeps her wits about her and tries to get a handle on an impossible situation. She tries to negotiate with the ill-prepared and increasingly hysterical hijackers, including a superb Jim Sarbh as a trigger-happy psychopath, comforts a mother whose son is plucked out of the crowd and executed, conceals the passports of the American passengers on board to prevent them from being used as bargaining chips, and finally sacrifices herself to protect children from gunfire.

In this ready-made story of valour, it is memories of the love of her mother Rama (Shabana Azmi) and her father Harish (Yogendra Tiku) rather than the support of her colleagues that appears to give Neerja courage under fire.

Madhvani, an advertising filmmaker who made the psychological drama Let’s Talk in 2002, is deeply respectful of Neerja’s story as well as the conventions of the hijack sub-genre. All the elements are present in full throttle, including jittery hand-held camerawork, moments of sheer terror, glimpses of the vulnerable passengers (including children and a pregnant woman), and the efforts of authorities in Karachi to initiate a rescue.

The portrayal of the Pakistanis as fumblers who potentially contribute to events is an unnecessary concession to nationalist sentiment, but the rest of the time, Neerja is about the individual and not the nation.

Madhvani fulfils the brief of delivering a stirring and sensitive account of bravery at the risk of making the narrative predictable to a fault. Neerja is a taut tearjerker that aims for a lump in the throat rather than full-out bawling. The inter-cutting and inserts of flashbacks balance manipulation and realism. The sequence in which the Bhanots receive Neerja’s corpse is beautifully handled, in large part due to Azmi’s typically assured performance.

The film rests on the fragile shoulders of Sonam Kapoor, and she makes the best possible effort despite her limited abilities to convey Neerja’s terror and strength, which comes, as Rama later says, from some unknown place.

Kapoor’s babyish voice and coquettish mannerisms only highlight Neerja’s youth. The air hostess was two days short of 23 when she died. The movie based on her life accords her full respect, at the risk of sacrificing head for heart. Perhaps heroism is not so complex, after all.


This article originally appeared on Scroll.in and has been reproduced with permission.

Comments

Vivek Feb 20, 2016 01:28pm
Airlift and Neerja are the best bollywood received till now (for this year). Seems like we are bringing some Oscars this time.
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amit Feb 20, 2016 01:31pm
Why it's not releasing in Pakistan . Pakistan government awarded bravery award to this India lady then what is the problem???????
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Satt Feb 20, 2016 01:56pm
I have heard somewhere that this film is not released in Pakistan.
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zak Feb 20, 2016 02:01pm
Ban any anti Pakistan film made by India
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zak Feb 20, 2016 02:02pm
@amit Because it is ususal portrayal of hate pakistan rubbish for Indian foolish public consumption only.
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Ahmed Feb 20, 2016 02:09pm
@amit "The portrayal of the Pakistanis as fumblers who potentially contribute to events is an unnecessary concession to nationalist sentiment" That's probably why. And I'm glad that it ain't releasing here. Indian filmmakers simply can't make a movie beyond their jingoist mindsets. You guys must have forgotten that it was the ssg commandoes here at Karachi who saved majority of the 300+ lives on that plane.
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Pune-India Feb 20, 2016 02:17pm
We are waiting for the movie made on Indian plane-IC-814 Hijack from Nepal land to Kandhar..
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Madeeha Mahmood Feb 20, 2016 03:57pm
@Vivek we don't want Indian movies screened in Pakistan
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wellwisher Feb 20, 2016 04:00pm
a person awarded by Pakistan, and movies gets banned
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Sunil Varma Feb 20, 2016 04:42pm
@zak there is nothing anti Pakistan in this film based on true events. The Pakistan Govt of the day even awarded a bravery award to the gallant lady from Delhi.
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Naveen Feb 20, 2016 04:44pm
@Madeeha Mahmood Well then don't watch it. If ther is no demand no one will screen them. Whether Yu like it or not lot if my Pakistani friends enjoy Bollywood movies
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Ailly Feb 20, 2016 05:32pm
there was a lady indeed in that real life drama .... however how do we establish she was trying to save passengers ? not running for her own safety when killed ? ... google it and you will find answers and let me know the truth..... I have freedom of speech to ask these questions whether she was real heroine ?.
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Blue Chip Feb 20, 2016 05:32pm
@amit it's very simple. Bollywood will surely depict Pakistan or its security forces in bad light. I can say confidetly without even watching the movie.
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madhusudan Feb 20, 2016 05:45pm
Wish this role had gone to mawra aapa.
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jayshing Feb 20, 2016 05:48pm
@zak its not anti pak ...its anti extremist
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Zak Feb 20, 2016 06:50pm
@jayshing the censors banned it, just like they did for that actor saif Ali khan and his anti pakistan bollywood movie
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JC Feb 20, 2016 07:43pm
I am going for the movie tomorrow. I will give you my objective analysis on whether this movie is anti-pakistan or not...
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ali Feb 20, 2016 07:45pm
The reason pakistan banned it is because the movie sways from actual facts to put as much blame on pakistan as can be done. Would they do the same for india and show failure of indian security and compromise of indian individuals lead to 26-11 ? No ofcourse not, Indian movies pander to the audience and the indian moviegoer wants to see pakistan and not some palestinian organization as the bad guy
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bv Feb 20, 2016 07:58pm
@jayshing isn't that the same thing?
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bharat Feb 20, 2016 08:07pm
@Blue Chip Why you see Bollywood movies then
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bharat Feb 20, 2016 08:08pm
@Blue Chip Bollywood is like mirror. It reflects whatever it sees.
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zia Feb 20, 2016 08:15pm
All respect to this brave girl. Heroism at its best. Ironically, people / directors/ producers/ writers try to create sentiments against pak nation. Tribute to so many unknown who lay down their lives for others, irrespective of religion and country.
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Debendu Ghosh Feb 20, 2016 08:19pm
@bv (Spoiler Alert) Just saw the movie today and there is not a single shred of editing which shows pakistan in bad light. Infact the film acknowledges the efforts of so many pakistanis who help rescue the passengers. Right from the radio engineer and negotiator in karachi airport to the security forces and also how the terrorists faced the trial of law in pakistan and were given life imprisonment. @pak friends. kindly download the movie, watch it and then judge for urself..
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Zafrani Feb 20, 2016 09:40pm
Must be allowed in Pakistan. Neerja will always be remembered ,she was a brave girl.
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Gautam Feb 20, 2016 11:20pm
Actually the movie shows Pakistan in a very positive light (I don't think the Pak military were shown in a negative light). I for one cannot understand why their censors would ban it. As someone above said, it is anti extremism (Palestinian extemists in this case) and not anti Pakistan.
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usman777 Feb 20, 2016 11:34pm
Neerja was an amazing person and deserves our respect. The movie panders to indian stereotyping and phobias related to Pakistan and deserves to be censored. Pakistani commandos deserve our continued respect. The handling of the terrorists by Pakistani judicial and legislative system deserves our condemnation. The Palestinian freedom struggle is righteous and deserves our support. Both Israeli terrorism and Palestinian terrorism deserved to be condemned and a two state solution of peaceful coexistence ought to be formulated. Finally, Pak Cinema ought to developed to tell a more balanced telling of our story. Let us not cloud the simplicity of these issues.
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usman777 Feb 20, 2016 11:36pm
While Pakistan can award Neerja, Indian shortsighted cannot pay homage to Pakistani Commandos. Simple as that.
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nj01 Feb 21, 2016 12:27am
Beautiful movie and salutes to Neera for her bravery!! Sonam was excellent and Shabanaji was awesome!! Kudos to Ram- director!! Must watch! Pakistnai must go and watch, there is no Pakistan bash at all!!
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Aslam Feb 21, 2016 12:33am
@Ahmed SSG stormed the aircraft after the hijackers had run out of bullets. Does not mean that they did not storm the plane while risking their lives to save others - but best to keep truth in perspective. Do read up on the entire incident.
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Wise man Feb 21, 2016 12:49am
Saw the movie. A 1000 salutes to Neerja Bhanot for saving so many lives. She was awarded by Pakistan, India & USA for her heroic deeds
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rainman Feb 21, 2016 01:21am
Do not understand why this is not released in pakistan I actualy this as a Pro-pakistani movie
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Adeeb Feb 21, 2016 03:08am
I am a Pakistani, if this movie is without the exaggeration and distorting facts then it must be released in Pakistan to pay tribute to this young and brave Indian woman.
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Golden Feb 21, 2016 04:08am
@Ailly You know there are more than 300 people still alive who witnessed it. well, She might have run for safety but It is not important because you can't say someone coward if he runs for safety. What's important is to stand for basics. Children are pure and innocent and If somebody try to kill them, he will be most cursed person whereas saviour, as Nirja was in this case, will be called brave. Peace. Don't Google it. Just use your brain a bit and all those conspiracy or doubt in your mind will be, puff, gone.
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Vorshal Feb 21, 2016 05:57am
Pakistan may ban Indian movies but yet Pakistanis will watch the movies on DVDs. No doubt. I have known Pakistani cricketers (including the great all rounder) who went for the movies the first day they landed India for the tour.
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TJay Feb 21, 2016 08:15am
Indians complaining that the movie is banned in Pakistan (btw there is a reason for that!). But what about ALL Pakistani movies being banned in India?
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Sireesh Feb 21, 2016 09:36am
It wasn't anti- Pakistan at all. It shows beaurocrats as a fumbling lot, just like Airlift shows Indian beaurocracy. In general recent films show the inefficiencies of government mechanism much more than earlier ones.
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Kp Feb 21, 2016 10:58am
Readers, please dont term a movie Anti Pakistan without watching it.
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asgher Feb 21, 2016 06:06pm
to all gentlemen questioning why this movie is banned in Pakistan please answer this: How many Pakistani channels are allowed in india?
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Baldev Singh Feb 21, 2016 07:55pm
Sonam Kapoor is getting good roles in films and she is doing justice to her roles. Lucky lady !
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mohsin meghani Feb 21, 2016 08:31pm
@zak Its not anti pakistan.
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Rohit Feb 21, 2016 11:33pm
@asgher Actually there are many channels dedicated to just showing Pakistani soaps which have a big following with Indian women......the movies are frankly substandard compared to Bollywood so it wouldn't be fair comparison
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Rohit Shrivastava, Pune, India Feb 22, 2016 12:41am
Not a single moment of this movie is Anti-Pakistan. I surprised why it is banned in Pakistan?? A must watch for all.
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victor Feb 22, 2016 12:51am
@zak this movie is not anti-Pakistani. Zak How can you comment without seeing the movie. unless you have seen the movie very secretivly.
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deepak Feb 22, 2016 02:06am
@Madeeha Mahmood Suit yourself. It's a known fact that Pakistanis adore Bollywood and your own actors/filmmakers have admitted that reopening Bollywood mveies to Pakistan has helped prop back your cinema. Bollywood has other markets anyway.
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deepak Feb 22, 2016 02:13am
@usman777 This is an Indian film about an Indian hero made without hurting other nations' sentiments. Plain as that.
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deepak Feb 22, 2016 02:14am
@asgher Pakistani serials are aired in India. That's how some Pakistani actors got break in recent Bollywood films.
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Maureen Goh Feb 22, 2016 02:42am
@Ahmed : I agree with you. Credit where it is due. "Sour grapes" Indians should not have tried to put down Pakistan in the film. I suggest that the "put down" aimed at Pakistan is removed because it is totally unnecessary!
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LS Feb 22, 2016 08:20am
@Ahmed SSG commandos just received them once they were let out of the plane.. Nothing heroic in that. Anyone could have done that. You stay under the belly of the plane and get out of the sight from tail end of the plane. Nothing else required.
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Pray$Prey Feb 22, 2016 08:41am
@Madeeha Mahmoud : Very good!
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Pray$Prey Feb 22, 2016 08:44am
@Ailly :You Google it, if you want!
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deepak ravi Feb 22, 2016 08:56am
@TJay Pakistani movies are not banned in India. It is more to do with profits , whether the distributors will be ready to pick up the films. India has more than 1000 films releasing in Bollywood and other languages every year and we don't have enough screens to release our Indian films. All the movies now have a limited theatre shelf life of 2-3 weeks. So because of that (and also Indians love masala films) there are not too many any foreign films releasing in India- only Hollywood and Indian language films run here. I don't think India has an actual ban policy for any films. However pakistani serials are aired on Indian television channels.
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PUNE- India Feb 22, 2016 09:58am
@zak : What about Dil SE...SRK's movie full anti India...made by India...
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PUNE- India Feb 22, 2016 10:01am
@Madeeha Mahmood : then Pakistan's Multiplexes will run full days...???
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R.Kannan Feb 22, 2016 10:14am
"The portrayal of the Pakistanis as fumblers who potentially contribute to events is an unnecessary concession to nationalist sentiment ". It appears the critic has only partially seen the film. The Pakistanis are shown in good light. The fact is the intruders entered the aircraft due to some lapse & that lapse is shown as the security guard being fooled by fake or real diplomatic passport. Even if the guard had stopped the van, the armed terrorists would have shot the guards & carried out the attack. The handling of the crisis is shown as being professional & the standard way of seeking more time as well as sorrounding the aircraft. All in all, I wonder why Pakistan banned the film in such haste
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R.Kannan Feb 22, 2016 10:20am
@ali I suggest you watch the movie & then comment. I have seen the movie & find that it portrays the Pakistani airport staff - police, medics etc - as behaving very professionally and following what is the normal protocol. The only incident which can be questioned is about the security lapse which allowed the terrorists to gain access to the aircraft but this lapse did happen. It must not be forgotten that over 40 Pakistani citizens were saved by the actions of the staff led by Neerja. Not showing this movie in Pakistan is a loss to Pakistan rather than anybody else.
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Sarwat Feb 22, 2016 10:22am
I saw this movie in Dubai last night and give full credit to film maker on producing a wonderful movie. There is nothing anti-Pakistani. This movie is much better than airlift, with good script, suspense, Drama and action. It also reminded the viewers how much Rajesh Khanna was popular in 1986. I wish India and Pakistan had produced this movie jointly. Well done!
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Fandom Beyond the Borders Feb 22, 2016 11:06am
@bharat I used to watch Bollywood movies but left it when Bollywood start churning out movies that show Pakistan in bad light.
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Deepak Ravi Feb 22, 2016 11:09am
@Vivek Oscar entry from India this year must be Tamil film Visaaranai. Of course Neerja is good but not as good.
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Khan Feb 22, 2016 12:05pm
Wow just came back from theatre. They have it in theatres in U.S. This movie is amazing, very heart touching. I confess that i had tears in my eyes. Neerja was a brave woman and Sonam played the character so well. Please go watch this movie
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Shikhar Soni Feb 22, 2016 12:17pm
@asgher Why is the need of companrison. India itself is having on of the biggest range of television channels. As far as I know that, Pakistan has allowed Indian channels there. There are many channels in India which does not have many viewers. The channels which are present are sufficient to entertain people in here. We listen to many of the Pakistani songs and Ghazals. Comparing TV channels is not good at this point where we are talking about the movies.
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sri1 Feb 22, 2016 04:04pm
Maybe we should all search and read the in-person versions of Neerja Bhanot's bravery and sacrifice that day in September 1986, from all passengers - Pakistanis, Indians and Americans , many of whom were of subcontinent origin. Neerja's actions that fateful day contrasts the highest concepts of life, its value and its sanctity as practised in one nation. Her stand should be a lesson in courage and humility for all of us.
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solani Feb 23, 2016 08:59pm
Pakistan is keeping balance showing their movie here, they have to show our movies too.
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Ikram Ghani Feb 24, 2016 04:59am
I can never forget the calm smile on the face of this air hostess in uniform (Neerja Mishra, as I remember), whose half blown body was lying on a bench across the hall of the Casualty Department of Jinnah Hospital in Karachi (Pakistan), where I was the House Officer on Call that night . I saw her (and others' bodies) after coming back to the hospital from the Karachi Airport , where I witnessed the commandos raiding the plane on the tarmac and people being rescued. I always recalled the scenes from that night and used to mention this courageous woman, when ever I talked to people about my experience. Never thought she will be remembered after so many years....sign of a people who do not forget their heroes !!!....I will watch this movie with my family. Dr. Ikram Ghani, Toronto , Canada
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JAY Feb 24, 2016 02:38pm
Its really sad , Neerja sacrificed her life to save around 300 people of which 40 were Pakistani , yet Pakistan bans it .
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