Hoping to move froward in her career by honestly doing her job, she boards her first flight as the head purser only to find it being hijacked at a transit airport by a group of terrorists with shades of sadistic characteristics. Neerja (Kapoor) is a Mumbai-based flight attendant for the Pan Am with an ugly matrimonial past and a loving family.
Following up to the Kuwaiti evacuation drama, Airlift, which released to critical acclaim earlier this year, we have another brilliant and thrilling biography which salutes a brave hero for her unprecedented loyalty. On the whole, 'Neerja' isn't perfect, but its good in parts & very well-acted nonetheless.īollywood has been experimenting a lot with biographies lately and I must admit it is doing very well. Shekhar Ravjiani does his brief bit well. Yogendra Tiku as Neerja's Father, is equally competent. Her portrayal of Neerja's tormented Mother, deserves all the praise. The otherwise under utilized actress sinks her teeth into the part & performs like never before. Performance-Wise: Sonam as Neerja, delivers a career best performance. Despite such a powerful subject, 'Neerja' doesn't become what it should've. Saiwyn Quadras & Sanyuktha Chawla's Screenplay is nicely structured & offers some arresting moments, but the second-hour isn't forceful enough. Even the monologue in its final moments, appears more mawkish, than affecting. However, the final 30-minutes aren't strong enough. I was engrossed when the tension was initially build & Neerja's turn from fright to courage, held my attention. 'Neerja' has a solid first-hour, but turns mawkish post intermission. 'Neerja' is a portrayal on the life of the courageous Neerja Bhanot, who sacrificed her life while protecting the lives of 359 passengers on the Pan Am flight 73 in 1986, when the flight was hijacked by a terrorist organization. 'Neerja' is a Sincere effort, but it never becomes remarkable! Neeraj Bhanot's courage remains incomparable, but I wish, the film was made better. I have not discussed much because i do not want to spoil the ,movie for you. Perfectly paced and well directed, the movie is a must watch. In its essence Neerja is not just a biopic, its a drama with thrilling ride of tension. Another actor who has done a commendable job is Shabana Azmi, she is so compassionate as the mother of Neerja that you can feel the pain and loss through her character. Her first flight as a purser gets hijacked by terrorists. Neerja has recently been divorced from an arrange marriage and is a huge Rajesh Khanna's fan. She plays the character of a flight purser of a Pan Am flight who is also a struggling model. Sonam Kapoor blends right into the core of Neerja's character, this is clearly her best movie of the career leaving her acting in Raanjhana way behind. The Youngest recipient of India's highest Bravery Award for saving hundreds of lives in a plane hijack. I want to thank the whole cast and production team of Neerja for introducing me to the brave and fearless Neerja Bhanot. The Movie will leave many viewers teary eyed. Director Ram Madhvani's debut feature film is a strong well acted biopic with emotions filled to its core.
And that trend is still on with latest Neerja. We have had so many movies with positive perspective of females. From English Vinglish(2012) to Queen(2013) and from last year's Dil Dhadakne Do to Masaan. Another trend which has been set since last 4 or 5 years: We have had many movies with strong female lead, having feminist approach. The trend it seems is still going strong. Bollywood for last few years have been evolving into something bigger and better. Indians have started to appreciate Contemporary Cinema and is separating slowly from its cliché filled days of musicals. As i have discussed before, there has been a change in Indian Audience's movie choices last few years.