Neerja: Bollywood’s latest triumph

Do yourself a favour — watch this masterpiece on the big screen. It’s been my best two hours this year

In the week gone by, the mind has been consumed by what I believe, is unarguably, the best and most emotionally wrenching film to have come out of Bollywood in recent times — Neerja. Based on the 23-year-old Pan Am airhostess, who was martyred when a team of Libyan hijackers took a Frankfurt-bound aircraft hostage in Karachi in 1986, Neerja is compelling and thought-urging cinema, a blazingly powerful and gripping reconstruction and recreation of the high drama that took place between the hijack and evacuation. Above all, it is an honourable and appropriate tribute to the lady who was awarded India’s highest peacetime military award for bravery, the Ashok Chakra. She was also awarded the Justice for Crimes Award posthumously by the US and the Tamgha-e-Insaniyat by Pakistan for showing incredible kindness.



With claustrophobic severity, as it is shot mostly inside an aircraft, the deeply disturbing, masterful and heartbreaking movie showcases the courage, presence of mind and duty displayed by the Indian brave-heart, Neerja Bhanot. Every last tiny detail is drenched with tension. There is no unnecessary sensation, no exploitation, no gimmick. It is an ode to the terror, confusion and courage of that awful day.

I’ve seen several films about doomed voyages but this has to be the most poignant and inspirational cinematic experience in a long time. With razor-sharp direction, exceptional writing, proficient cinematography and editing, and top-class performances by Shabana Azmi, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sathbe and the remaining cast, the game-changing film is a monumental triumph for cinema. At the time of filing this column, I was distressed and appalled to hear that the censors in Pakistan had refused to clear the film. There is nothing remotely anti-state in it. I sincerely hope that better sense prevails and Neerja graces the theatres tomorrow.

Do yourself a favour — watch this masterpiece on the big screen. Don’t miss it for anything. It’s been my best two hours this year. I had to lie down in a darkened room afterwards. So will you. 

Tailpieces

1) American fashion PR and aspiring actress Juliette Labelle, being linked with Prince Harry, posted an Instagram snap of herself and her pet dog with the cryptic caption: “It’s getting really serious between us.” She’s obviously enjoying the unprecedented attention coming her way thanks to the hairy puppy. And I’m not referring to the animal!



2) I read about David Beckham being busy for the most part in Los Angeles building his Major League soccer team and Victoria globe-trotting to promote her fashion empire. With the two seemingly spending significant time in different parts of the world, who’s looking after their brood of children? Dolce & Gabbana?

3) A jolly pot-bellied Deputy Jailor in the South-Indian state of Tamil Nadu, who was caught on a mobile phone camera dancing, was placed under suspension after the video went viral on social media. So what was his crime? That he was dancing in uniform on the job? By that token, most of our politicians behave like clowns on a daily basis.

4) I’m about to tune in to the fourth season of Nescafe Basement, a property which has a special place in my heart. It gave me the gorgeous Awari (by the Soch Band) for my film Ek Villain.

5) I’m in India’s biryani capital, Hyderabad, for a friend’s wedding. As a vegetarian foodie, I’m told that I’m a waste in a haven for fish, chicken and mutton biryani and reshmi and tangdi kebabs. Undeterred, I set out to hunt for what I could eat, and I promise I devoured the most gorgeous aromatic vegetable biryani, slow-cooked on dum. Mixed with mirchi ka salan, it was a stairway to heaven!

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th,  2016.

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