Neerja

Neerja

In the background we see a man holding a gun in the aisle of an airplane. Superimposed in the foreground, a hand presses the barrel of a handgun on a woman's forehead.

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ram Madhvani
Produced by Atul Kasbekar
Shanti Sivaram Maini
Bling Unplugged
Fox Star Studios
Written by Saiwyn Quadras
Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh (dialogues)
Screenplay by Saiwyn Quadras
Starring Sonam Kapoor
Shabana Azmi
Yogendra Tiku
Shekhar Ravjiani
Kavi Shastri
Sadh Orhan
Music by Vishal Khurana
Cinematography Mitesh Mirchandani
Edited by Monisha R Baldawa
Production
company
Distributed by Fox Star Studios
Release dates
  • February 19, 2016 (2016-02-19)
Running time
 122 minutes
Country India
Language Hindi
Budget ₹20 crore (US$3.0 million)[1]
Box office est. ₹135 crore (US$20 million)[2]

Neerja is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical thriller film directed by Ram Madhvani. Written by Saiwyn Quadras and Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh, the film stars Sonam Kapoor as the title character, and features Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku and Shekhar Ravjiani in supporting roles. The film was produced by Atul Kasbekar under the banner of Fox Star Studios.[3] The film revolves around the Libya backed Abu Nidal Organization's hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan on 5 September 1986. The film is shown from the point of view of the flight's head purser Neerja Bhanot who thwarted the hijack attempt by alerting the pilots, hence grounding the plane and saved the lives of 359 of the 379 passengers and crew on board.

The film released worldwide on February 19, 2016 to critical acclaim.[4][5][6][7] Made on a budget of ₹20 crore (US$3.0 million), the film earned over ₹135 crore (US$20 million) worldwide.

Plot

The film opens with 22 years old Neerja Bhanot (Sonam Kapoor) arriving late for a house party. Later that evening her mother (Shabana Azmi) expresses concern once about Neerja's job as a flight attendant and suggests Neerja to return to her old job of modeling. Neerja likes her job and is driven to the airport by her boyfriend Jaideep (Shekhar Ravjiani). Neerja's colleagues love Jaideep, he adores her and gives her an advance birthday present.

Neerja reflects on her brief and unhappy arranged marriage. Her former husband Naresh (Kavi Shastri) was a professional in Doha, Qatar. He constantly harangued and abused Neerja over dowry. (It is revealed that Neerja's family had made it clear there would be no dowry, but the husband had expected otherwise) He also constantly abused Neerja as she could not cook or clean. She eventually returned home to honor a modeling contract. He sent back a humiliating letter attacking her parents about dowry, her lack of domestic skills and suggesting that she had better bring money back or not come back at all. She broke off with him and landed a highly competitive job with Pan Am Airways.

As Neerja boards Pan Am 73 it is revealed that a terrorist group has planned to hijack the plane in Karachi. The plane takes off from Mumbai's Sahar International Airport and lands in Karachi where the four terrorists belonging to Abu Nidal's organization board the plane disguised as security officers escorting a Libyan diplomat. They reveal themselves and hijack the plane. Neerja quickly alerts the cockpit and the three American pilots escape through the overhead hatch and run to the terminal despite firing by the terrorists.

When an Indian American accompanied by his handicapped old mother inadvertently reveals himself to be an American one of the terrorists grabs him and shoots him dead and throws him down the aircraft before the Pakistani negotiators. The terrorists try to locate a radio engineer among the passengers by having Neerja make an announcement over the intercom. Emran Ali (Shashi Bhushan), a Pakistani radio operator gets ready to stand up but Neerja signals him to sit down. Later the terrorists ask the flight attendants to collect the passports so as to locate the Americans and hold them hostage. Neerja and her colleagues collect the passports but skilfully avoid any American passports by kicking them under the seats or down the trash chutes. The terrorists, dejected over not finding any American passports, locate a British citizen and use him for negotiations.

The Pakistan negotiators inadvertently reveal the name of the radio engineer Emran Ali, who is located and roughly brought into the cockpit to start the radio and begin the negotiations. Their main demand is sending the pilots back to the aircraft to fly it to Cyprus and to demand for the release of their imprisoned colleagues languishing in jail. The Pakistani authorities try to stall for time. The terrorist leader chastises the other, younger terrorist who has begun roughing up the passengers and molesting the attendants. Angered by his public embarrassment the younger terrorist storms into the cockpit and shoots the radio engineer and in full defiance of his leader, screams wild threats over the radio. The terrorists are confused; the leader only wants to complete the mission but the younger man is now mad with rage and out of control. Pakistani air control is still negotiating but they are slowly losing control and time and the terrorists are getting agitated by the minute.

Around 17 hours later the plane loses auxiliary power and the lights go out inside. Despite Neerja and the other attendants trying to explain this as a normal airplane reaction, the terrorists believe the power was cut deliberately by the Pakistani armed forces who will soon storm into the plane. In a panic mode, they now begin shooting down passengers indiscriminately . At great peril to her own life, Neerja opens the rear door and deploys the chute and begins directing passengers down the chute. Neerja chooses to let the passengers escape first. In the end, she is shot and fatally injured by the terrorists when she tries to shield young children from the gunfire. The film ends with a tributary message to Neerja who was eventually honoured posthumously with the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.

Cast

Production

Actress Sonam Kapoor was selected to play the titular character of Neerja Bhanot

Casting

In January 2015, it was reported that Sonam Kapoor had been selected to play the role of Neerja Bhanot, the senior flight crew member who became the youngest recipient of the bravery award, Ashok Chakra in her biopic. It was also reported that the movie has been tentatively titled Neerja and will be directed by ad filmmaker Ram Madhvani.[8]

Shabana Azmi was reported to play the role of Neerja's mother in the film.[9][10]

It was reported in May 2015 that, Shekhar Ravjiani, one half of Bollywood's music directing duo Vishal–Shekhar, would play a short role in the movie marking his acting debut.[11][12]

Development

Rucha Pathak (head of creative and development at Fox Star Studios) said the following in a statement: "When we heard the script of Neerja, we immediately knew we wanted to make the film. It's the kind of content that Fox Star instinctively believes in and wants to back. Captained by Ram Madhvani, and with Sonam Kapoor and Shabana Azmi, Neerja, we believe that this is a cracker of a film."[9] Principal photography of the film began around 19 April 2015, and is set to release on February 19, 2016.[13] The film's music has been composed by Vishal Khurana and the lyrics have been penned by Prasoon Joshi.[14][15] The film's music rights were acquired by T-Series.[16][17]

A journalist friend of the director said, “So Ram you’re making this film Neerja, do you realize the responsibility that you have? You’re actually going to be building a set, you’re not even using a real plane and then you’re going to get people as passengers. Do you realize what actually happened on that plane, what kind of responsibility you have to actually portray that?”

[18]

The makers of the film admitted to the tremendous amount of responsibility the task of portraying this story carried. One challenge faced was acquiring a real plane for shooting. Because of this, the director - Ram Madhvani - & Rucha Pathak - Creative Officer of Fox Studios - decided to re-create the plane as a major part of the film required shooting against the plane back-drop. It took them 48 days to build the plane which resembled closely to the original one.[19]

The story and screenplay was penned by Saiwyn Quadras and the dialogues by Sanyuktha Chawla Sheikh.[20]

The film's official trailer launched on 17 December 2015 on Fox Star Studios YouTube channel and social media properties. The trailer launch event will be attended by the late Neerja Bhanot's real brothers Akhil Bhanot and Aneesh Bhanot.[21] The film's official logo was launched on 15 December 2015.[22][23]

Music

The music for the film has been composed by Vishal Khurana and the lyrics have been penned by Prasoon Joshi. The first song from the film was released on January 26, 2016, titled 'Jeete Hain Chal'.[24][25]

No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Jeete Hain Chal"  Kavita Seth, Arun Ingle, Mandar Apte, R.N. Iyer, Archana Gore, Mayuri Patwardhan, Pragati Mukund Joshi, Vishal Khurana 04:09
2. "Aankhein Milayenge Darr Se"  K. Mohan, Neha Bhasin 02:57
3. "Gehra Ishq"  Shekhar Ravjiani 03:27
4. "Aisa Kyun Maa"  Sunidhi Chauhan 03:40
Total length:
 14:13

Reception

Critical response

Bollywood Hungama gave the film 4/5 stars and said, "as a movie watching experience, 'Neerja' is flawless. There's not a single false note."[26] Writing for Hindustan Times, Anupama Chopra also awarded the film 4/5 stars saying, "Neerja is a truly inspiring story that will grip you from the first frame till the last," and calling it Sonam Kapoor's best performance.[27] Rajeev Masand gave the film a 3.5/5 rating and said that 'Neerja' is "a well-intentioned, heartfelt film that pays tribute to a real hero."[28] Sarita Tanwar from Daily News and Analysis gave the film 4/5 stars and said, "Neerja is quite easily the finest film in recent times (on par with 'Talvar') based on a true story. She also said that cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani ensures that 'Neerja' is "one of the best shot films in recent times."[29] Raja Sen from Rediff.com gave the film 4/5 stars as well and called it "an absolute must-watch," and adding that "Sonam Kapoor is exceptional as Neerja Bhanot."[30]Subhash K. Jha from SKJ Bollywood News gave the film 4.5/5 stars and called it "A Brilliant Tribute To The Braveheart And To Rajesh Khanna."[31]

Box office

As of 13 March 2016 the film had grossed an estimated ₹108 crore (US$16 million) domestically and ₹25.9 crore (US$3.8 million) internationally for an approximate worldwide total of ₹135 crore (US$20 million).[2]

The film was declared tax free by Government of Maharashtra and the Government of Madhya Pradesh.[32][33]

References

  1. ↑ "Neerja flies at box office".
  2. 1 2 "Box Office: Worldwide collections of Neerja". Bollywood Hungama.
  3. ↑ "First Look : Super Star Sonam Kapoor As Neerja Bhanot In The Biopic". Koimoi. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "'Neerja' tweet review: The film makes for a compelling watch; a story that everyone needs to know". CNN-IBN.
  5. ↑ "Neerja quick take: Sonam Kapoor shines through this thrilling ride". Hindustan Times.
  6. ↑ Surabhi Redkar (19 February 2016). "Neerja Review". Koimoi.
  7. ↑ "Neerja Movie Review". Mid Day. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Sonam Kapoor to star in Neerja Bhanot biopic". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 25 Jan 2016.
  9. 1 2 "First Look: Sonam Kapoor as slain airhostess Neerja Bhanot in biopic". Hindustan Times.
  10. ↑ "Shabana Azmi To Play ‘Neerja Bhanot’ Sonam Kapoor’s Mother". SKJ Bollywood News.
  11. ↑ "Shekhar Ravjiani to play Neerja Bhanot’s lover". The Times of India.
  12. ↑ Bollywood Hungama. "Shekhar Ravjiani to make acting debut in Neerja". Bollywood Hungama.
  13. ↑ "Sonam Kapoor-starrer Neerja Bhanot biopic to release on Feb 19". The Times of India.
  14. ↑ "Prasoon Joshi on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
  15. ↑ "Neerja Official Trailer Sonam Kapoor Shabana Azmi". Retrieved 2015-12-18.
  16. ↑ "Sonam Kapoor Begins Filming Neerja Bhanot Biopic, Bollywood Stars Tweet Good Wishes". NDTVMovies.com.
  17. ↑ "KoiMoi - Fox Star Studios & T-Series Join Hands For – Prem Ratan…, MS Dhoni, Akira, Neerja". Koimoi.
  18. ↑ Chopra, Neeti (5 February 2016). "WATCH: How The Crew Of 'Neerja' Actually Rebuilt Pan Am Flight 73". The Huffington Post.
  19. ↑ "WATCH: How The Crew Of 'Neerja' Built An Actual Plane". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  20. ↑ "Heartfelt message by writer of 'Mary Kom' after 62nd National Film Awards". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  21. ↑ "Neerja Bhanot’s brothers to attend her biopic’s trailer launch". The Indian Express. 15 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Sonam Kapoor unveils official logo for 'Neerja' biopic". mid-day. 15 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "Neerja: A fond tribute to a forgotten hero". Rediff.com. 19 February 2016.
  24. ↑ Ritika Handoo. "Sonam Kapoor impresses in 'Jeete Hain Chal' track from 'Neerja': Watch now!". Zee News. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  25. ↑ "Jeete Hain Chal (From "Neerja") - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  26. ↑ "Neerja review". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  27. ↑ "Neerja review by Anupama Chopra: This one is a genuine weeper". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "'Neerja' review: A well-intentioned, heartfelt film that pays tribute to a real hero". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  29. ↑ "Neerja Review: A career best portrayal captures a true hero's grit". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Review: Neerja is an absolute must-watch". Rediff.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Review: A Brilliant Tribute To The Braveheart And To Rajesh Khanna!". SKJ Bollywood News. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  32. ↑ "'Neerja, 'Jai Gangaajal' go tax-free in Madhya Pradesh". Daily News and Analysis. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  33. ↑ "Well deserved! Sonam Kapoor's Neerja becomes tax free in Maharashtra". Daily News and Analysis. 24 February 2016.

External links

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