Neerja - Amazing, Important!

When I walked out of the theatre, moved and somewhat speechless, my friend added, "It's almost like we don't know our real life heroes." That's what makes a film like Neerja both amazing and important. Amazing because as a film, it is a worthy gripping story that keeps your attention and hope held until the very end. 

And important, because it is a humble reminder to Bollywood that there is so much content that we haven't even thought about. Stories like that of Neerja must be told!

In times like today, where nationalism and patriotism (and dare I say jingoism) is the name of the game, Neerja's heroism is a shining beacon of duty, courage and most importantly, humanity. It's a story that not just the youth, but even some of our leaders must look to draw from. 

Back to the film itself:  It must be said that the story is the winner here. It would take special talent to not make a good film on this subject. But director Ram Madhvani does more than justice to the subject and handles the taut script with imaginative direction. What we see outside the flight is somehow more important than what we see happen inside. Neerja is really a story of a worried mother and her brave daughter. 

Running between two timelines that draw parallels between Neerja's disturbing past personal life and unfortunately present predicament, Neerja is a triumph in the writing department. Bravo Saiwyn Quadras!  The film doesn't take time to get to the point but still manages to give you peeps into the person behind the hero - full of  vulnerabilities, likes and dislike. That she was just another 23 year old is what makes her story even more inspiring. 

On the technical side, the clever unsteady camera work (Mitesh Mirchandani) and the potent background music are the secret ingredients behind the lurking sense of doom and despair that haunts the passengers in the flight and the family at home waiting by the phone to hear something. (Can you imagine not having live updates in today's world. I can't think how I would survive a situation of family crisis without being "connected".) The razor sharp editing (Monisha R Baldawa) adds to the nervous momentum. 

And finally the performances: Sonam Kapoor brings Neerja to life and shows considerable improvement from her previous works. She doesn't let the script Down. The actors who play the terrorists (esp. Jim Sarbh as Khalil) hit all the right notes, as do the other members of the family. But (in an obvious outcome), the film Neerja really belongs to her mother played on screen by the veteran Shabana Azmi. 

Everyone will find a little bit of his or her mother in Azmi's portrayal. She is singularly responsible for all the wet eyes (almost all) in the auditorium. Just like Nana Patekar with Natsamrat, here is another veteran who shows how to own the celluloid. Ever sigh she heaves and every tremble of her sad face makes you want to hope no mother ever goes through what she did. 

In the end, you come out thinking how life is so cruel to some. Why would Neerja, who saved so many lives not be given a chance. And the blogger in me thinks, why doesn't Bollywood give real stories a chance. The film, like the protagonist, rises to the occasion. And how! 

Every year on our Republic Day, the President presents awards for bravery. Neerja won one. Thanks to this movie, we know her story. Here's hoping bravehearts like director Madhvani continue to use the medium for entertainment that is also empowering, moving and inspiring. Bravo team Neerja. 

4.5 stars