Neerja

Neerja (2016) is a heart-stopping, emotional tribute to the bravery and selflessness of Neerja Bhanot, a flight attendant who gave her life to save the lives of 359 passengers during a hijacking incident in 1986. Directed by Ram Madhvani and starring Sonam Kapoor in the titular role, Neerja is not just a retelling of a heroic tragedy; it is an exploration of human courage, resilience, and the ultimate sacrifice.

The film is based on the real-life events surrounding the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73, which was en route from Mumbai to New York. The plane was hijacked by terrorists while it was on the ground in Karachi, Pakistan. Neerja, who was just 23 years old, was the senior flight purser on board and faced unimaginable danger when she chose to protect the passengers, even though it meant risking her own life. When the terrorists opened fire and set bombs, Neerja managed to help many passengers escape through emergency exits while also shielding a group of children from the terrorists’ violence. In the end, she was shot while attempting to help the last group of passengers evacuate.

The Emotional Core of Neerja

At its heart, Neerja is a story about an ordinary woman who became an extraordinary hero. Neerja was not a trained soldier, nor was she anyone with prior experience in handling terror attacks. What set her apart was her unshakable resolve and her fierce love for life and humanity. Her story evokes a powerful emotional response, as the film captures not just her courage, but also her personal struggles, relationships, and the pain of leaving behind family and a bright future.

The film doesn't sensationalize the hijacking for the sake of drama. Instead, it stays grounded in the emotional turmoil of the situation, balancing the tension of the hijacking with the emotional beats of Neerja’s character development. Neerja was a young woman in the prime of her life, filled with dreams and ambitions, but the way she chose to act under pressure defined her as a hero. Her willingness to sacrifice her own safety for the safety of others is the driving force of the film, and Sonam Kapoor’s portrayal of Neerja makes that bravery feel deeply real and palpable.

Sonam Kapoor’s Powerful Performance

Sonam Kapoor delivers a performance that will leave a lasting impact on audiences. While she has often been regarded for her glamorous roles in Bollywood, her portrayal of Neerja Bhanot is a raw and vulnerable performance that showcases her range as an actor. Kapoor doesn’t try to make Neerja a superhero, but rather, a young woman who is forced to rise to the occasion in the face of unimaginable terror.

She masterfully conveys Neerja's emotions—her fear, determination, tenderness, and moments of quiet resolve. The film allows us to see Neerja’s journey from being a flight attendant trying to find her place in the world to becoming the heroine who would sacrifice her life for others. Kapoor’s portrayal brings depth to a character who, despite being a symbol of bravery, remains profoundly human.

The Terrorism and the Hijacking Sequence

The hijacking sequence in Neerja is a tense, realistic, and often heart-wrenching portrayal of the terror that unfolded on Pan Am Flight 73. The film does not dwell excessively on the violence but focuses more on the psychological and emotional toll that the passengers and crew endure during the ordeal. We see Neerja grappling with her duty as a flight attendant and her responsibility for the lives of the people on board. The terrorists, played by a strong ensemble cast, bring a terrifying sense of urgency and desperation to the screen, adding to the tension.

What stands out is how the filmmakers depict the mental and emotional battle that Neerja faces—she doesn't immediately step into the role of a hero, but rather, she takes small, calculated risks that ultimately save lives. The slow buildup of her bravery is more compelling because it feels like a natural progression of her personality rather than an unrealistic transformation.

The Family Angle: Love and Loss

One of the most emotionally poignant elements of Neerja is the portrayal of her relationship with her family, particularly her parents. Neerja’s parents, played by Shabana Azmi and Yogendra Tikku, bring a profound emotional weight to the film. The love and pride they have for their daughter, even as they come to terms with her heroic act and untimely death, is beautifully depicted.

The film also shows Neerja’s personal struggles and relationship with her ex-husband, adding a layer of complexity to her character. Neerja wasn’t just a flight attendant or a martyr; she was a person with aspirations, flaws, and emotions. The depiction of her family’s grief after the attack adds an emotional depth to the film and brings the human cost of such a sacrifice to the forefront.

The Aftermath: Neerja’s Legacy

The film is as much about remembering Neerja’s sacrifice as it is about honoring her legacy. Through her actions, she became a symbol of selflessness, courage, and hope. The film beautifully portrays how, in the aftermath of the hijacking, Neerja was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest civilian honor for bravery, and how her legacy continues to inspire people.

What makes Neerja so powerful is not just that she was a hero, but that she was someone we can all relate to—a young woman trying to navigate her life, finding love, struggling with personal challenges, and eventually rising to the occasion when it mattered most. Neerja’s legacy is not defined solely by her death, but by how she chose to live in the face of fear.

Conclusion: A Tribute to Heroism

Neerja is a beautifully crafted, emotionally stirring film that resonates deeply with anyone who watches it. It is a film that captures the essence of heroism—not in the form of superhuman feats, but in quiet moments of selflessness, in ordinary people choosing to do the extraordinary. It reminds us that true bravery lies in the choices we make in moments of crisis, in our willingness to protect others, and in the love we share with those around us.

Sonam Kapoor’s transformative performance and the poignant storytelling make Neerja a must-watch film. It’s not just a recounting of a tragic event, but a celebration of human courage, love, and sacrifice. Neerja Bhanot’s story is one that will inspire generations to come, reminding us all that heroism is not about being fearless; it’s about acting with courage, even in the face of the greatest fear.