Neerja

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Neerja is a 2016 Indian biographical thriller directed by Ram Madhvani. It tells the true story of Neerja Bhanot, a young senior flight attendant who saved lives during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi on 5 September 1986. Sonam Kapoor plays Neerja, with a supporting cast that includes Shabana Azmi. The film was produced by Bling Unplugged and Fox Star Studios.

The story follows Neerja as she faces danger on the hijacked plane. She quietly helps pilots escape, guides passengers to the emergency exit, and shields three young children, sacrificing her life in the process. Of the 379 people on board, 359 survived. The movie also shows Neerja’s personal struggles, including an abusive arranged marriage and her decision to pursue a career as a flight attendant and model.

Neerja released on 19 February 2016, runs 121 minutes, and had a budget of about ₹20 crore. It was a critical and commercial success, earning around ₹135 crore worldwide and earning praise for Kapoor’s performance and Madhvani’s direction. It won National Film Awards for Best Feature Film in Hindi and a Special Mention for Kapoor, along with multiple Filmfare nominations and wins. The film is widely regarded as one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films featuring a female lead and serves as a tribute to Neerja Bhanot, who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra.