Review of Neerja (2016) by Shatish R — 12 Jan 2017

And that, dear Bollywood, is how a biopic should be made.

Neither dripping with awkward sentimentality nor bordering on excessive hero worship, Neerja is every bit the film its titular protagonist deserved, and more.

This is a tricky tightrope that second-time filmmaker Ram Madhwani has chosen to walk, and one that he ends up conquering with great dexterity.

Kudos to him for telling a story that, quite simply put, just had to be told.

It took 28 years for Neerja Bhanot - that most exemplary of women - and her sacrifice to rise to public prominence on the big screen, but better late than never.

The acting is uniformly excellent - Shabana Azmi and Yogendra Tikku, playing Neerja's parents, will render you speechless with tears even as they try and come to terms with the harrowing state of affairs on board the ill-fated Pan AM Flight 73.

As ruthless terrorist Khaleel, Jim Sarbh delivers an incredible performance, one that is spine-chillingly brutal and yet delivered with clinical precision.

But this is a film that belongs to Sonam Kapoor.

It is a stunning, stunning performance, and could very well end up being the one that marks her pinnacle as an actress.

Neerja is destined to go down as one of the year's very best films.

A suitable tribute, then, to India's very own paragon of selflessness.

May your light shine on for ever, Mademoiselle.