Neerja is the youngest daughter and the only girl in a family that has two older brothers. She is addressed as Laddo( loved one) by her parents, Rama( Shabana) and journalist-father Harish( Yogendra Tiku) . Her father's life lessons to her are, `don't let anyone kill your spirit.' Quite like her screen idol, Rajesh Khanna from the movie Anand, thespirited youngster, wants to live `a badi( big) life not a long one.' Though she'sbone-tired between her modelling assignments, Neerja loves to fly. One fateful day, the plane is hijacked by Libyanterrorists when it makes a halt at Karachi. The spunky stewardess warns the pilots inthe cockpit about the hijack. But, she stays back to shield the passengers.The story of this Indian beti is well-known and yet director Ram Madhvani gives us welcome aided-recall with his deft story-telling. The in-flight drama between gun-`n'-grenade toting men and a plane-load of hapless victims, leaves you angry. The film makes you weep and mourn the ongoing acts of global terrorism. Betweenthe strife, the director also allows you a look at Neerja's troubled marriage. Yes, she has her reasons for being the brave heart she is. Having fled from a disastrousalliance to a male chauvinist, Neerja has promised herself that if ever life gives her another opportunity, she will look adversity in the eye. But darn it, 23 is still no age to die.Sonam's Neerja quietly seals a place in your heart. There are no theatrics; she's dignified, strong and real. Shabana as the bereaved mother makes her grief yours, her daughter's glory also yours. Yogendra Tiku lends able support and Khalil( theatre actor, Jim Sarbh) as the maniacal terroristis terrific.This one raises a toast to the daunting spirit of India's daughters; every one of us must salute Neerja.
