The flaws are few and the high points are many. “Neerja” is the best film we’ve seen this year.

Ram Madhvani’s restrained direction gives an edge to the film, which takes viewers right into the middle of the action as four men unleash terror on 360 passengers. And Sonam pays a fitting tribute to Neerja’s valour in a career-best.

Neerja won’t steal your heart or make you hate terrorists. It won’t resort to highlighting the inefficiency of Indian and/or Pakistani governments. It doesn’t over dramatize the story. It takes an emotional and mature stance about its subject. It makes you believe in the power of human beings. That ordinary people can make a difference if they try. That heroes need not be worshipped, but they need to be thanked. That just a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

The subject, the performances, and Madhvani’s restrained direction are strong enough to ensure that few will leave theatres dry-eyed. Eat your heart out, Karan Johar — this is how it’s done.

‘Neerja’ is a compelling watch. And, her’s is a story that deserves to be celebrated.

For a filmmaker to stir up such a high degree of emotion while making no obvious attempt to manipulate us is an amazing achievement.
Neerja is outstanding.

Neerja is a surefire hit. It is a human drama which will move the audience to tears a number of times. Because the story is not too well-known, the curiosity value of the film will be immense, more so because it presents a realistic account of what happened in the hijack drama of 1986. The film may have started slow but there can be no two opinions about the prediction that the film has wings to take flight and its collections will shoot up on the strength of a hugely positive word of mouth.

Neerja has a lot going for it. The brilliant direction and the superb performances are its strongest points. This weekend, make it a point to catch this incredible film. Also, if you haven’t read up on Neerja Bhanot yet, don’t do so now, and let this film take you by surprise.

The film suggests an unusual emotional impetus for Bhanot’s bravery by linking, through a recurring flashback, her passivity in a recently ended abusive relationship to her decisiveness during the hijacking. It’s a reminder that courage can spring up unbidden, much like the crises that prompt it.

You don’t even realise that it’s the selflessness and courage of real characters you actually end up applauding than the actors playing them. Go for it if you are in the mood for a good cry.

True to tradition, Neerja loses a little of its steam after interval, but it continues to be tense until the climax. After that, it seems as though Qadras couldn’t figure out how to end the film and so, Neerja makes some concerted attempts at pulling the heartstrings and stretching the film’s runtime to two hours.

Ram Madhvani’s biopic on air hostess Neerja Bhanot is a lump-in-the-throat account of courage under fire.