PHOTO: THE INDIAN EXPRESS
“Extremely disheartened that Neerja isn't releasing this Friday in Pakistan. She was awarded by them and I hope they will salute her again,” the actor said on Twitter.
Extremely disheartened that #Neerja isn't releasing this Friday in Pakistan. She was awarded by them & I hope they will salute her again.
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) February 18, 2016
Upholding her co-star Shabana Azmi’s statement, Sonam emphasised that her film does not show Pakistan in a poor light, and that the brave flight attendant, in fact, "saved Pakistani lives" and was subsequently awarded by governments on both sides of the border.
She saved Pakistani lives, and I can guarantee that Pakistan hasn't been shown in a poor light, I really hope and pray #Neerja releases.
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) February 18, 2016
Neerja’s story to remain unheard in Pakistan
However, the Khoobsurat actor is still optimistic that once the movie releases worldwide, Pakistan's censor board will be swayed by the fair depiction of the country and uplift the ban.
When #Neerja releases worldwide and people see how fair the film is, I'm hopeful that it will result in a solution to a release in Pakistan.
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) February 18, 2016
Earlier, Shabana Azmi pointed out, "Neerja was awarded the Ashok Chakra by the Indian government, a medal by Pakistan and a citation by the US government. There is no way that we will tell a story in which a girl was awarded by the Pakistani government and show the country in poor light. I’m really confident that when they will watch the film, they will realise their apprehensions were completely misfounded.”
'Neerja' does not show Pakistan in poor light, says Shabana Azmi
While both actors are hopeful that the film will get clearance, IMGC Executive Director Abid Rasheed, speculated the decision may have stemmed from “anti-Pakistan elements” presented in the film.
“Neerja is basically about the hijacking of a Pan Am flight in Karachi and then, it also shows Muslims in a negative light,” said Rasheed. “That is something which may not go down too well with local audiences.”
Neerja's last flight announcement will leave you in tears
Neerja is slated to release on February 19 and stars Sonam Kapoor as Neerja Bhanot, the senior flight purser on the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73 flying from Mumbai to USA, which was hijacked by four armed men on September 5, 1986 when it stopped at Karachi airport in Pakistan.
Watch the trailer here:
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