NEERJA- story of India's Braveheart

The much-acclaimed and much-appreciated movie, 'Neerja', based on the true story of the courageous 23 year old air hostess Neerja Bhanot, who died on duty trying to save the lives of hundreds of her passengers during a hijack - is simply beyond any critique or review.

Stories like these when retold and re-enacted for cinematic viewing, cannot be judged using the usual parameters employed for movie reviews. Yet any story has to be well told to leave a worthwhile impact. And this one succeeds to the hilt. The direction, cinematography, acting, and other departments have excelled in bringing alive an otherwise forgotten story of a real-life heroine making it a compelling viewing. Sonam and Shabana Azmi do ample justice to their roles and give restrained performances which stop the movie from degenerating into a shallow melodrama. Sonam's father's angst and pain are so understated yet so tangible! The in-flight ordeal of the passengers and crew at the hands of four hyper and agitated terrorists transports you back into those tortuous hours of uncertainty and impending gloom. The ending wasn't really a surprise but still brought tears to the eyes. 

One can only salute the young lady who displayed such a remarkable presence of mind, an exemplary agility, quick thinking, selflessness and spirited valor in those crucial, trying hours. In this age where the media focus is more on silver screen stars' shenanigans and politicians' tug-of-war, not much attention is paid to real life heroes who mostly go unsung except for a sporadic loud applause which dies down soon after the gallantry award felicitation. 

It is in this context that 'Neerja' comes like a much-needed shot-in-the-arm to revive the jaded and cynical public mindset and infuse a hearty respect for those who in their, unfortunately, short mortal lives, lived a lifetime. Always hoping that the youth of the nation emulate worthy role-models like Neerja who went down stoically while saving human lives (irrespective of their religion and nationality), rather than perennially attack the nation guns blazing and sully the spirits of all those who lost their lives in their line of duty, at the borders and beyond.