Summary Produced by Fox Star Hindi, the movie stars Sonam Kapoor and Shabana Azmi
(Web Desk) – Indian biographical film based on the life of bold and courageous flight attendant Neerja Bhanot is set to be released in cinemas across India on Friday, February 19, 2016. Directed by Ram Madhvani, the film features Sonam Kapoor as the protagonist, other actors include Shabana Azmi and Uday Chopra.
Most of the time, when people feel afraid and sense that their lives are in grave danger under the given circumstances, they look for all possible ways to flee from the situation at-hand while prioritizing their safety over that of the others.
But Neerja Bhanot was not like other people. The 22-year-old Indian flight attendant sacrificed herself while trying to protect the lives of the passengers of hijacked Pan Am Flight 73.
Four armed members of the Abu Nidal Organization, a Libyan terrorist group, hijacked the plane at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, on September 5, 1986. The flight had originated from Mumbai and was destined to reach New York. The terrorists wanted to single-out the American passengers in the plane and pressurize their government. Bhanot, along with other members of the crew, hid their passports making it difficult to identify the Americans on-board.
After taking the plane as hostage for almost 17 hours, the terrorists opened fire at the passengers and started to detonate explosives. Bhanot, acting quickly, opened the emergency door and helped many passengers to escape the ill-fated plane through the inflated chute, saving many lives. She died as a result of being shot while shielding 3 children from incoming bullets. She could have easily saved her life in the first place by being the first person to leave the plane via the emergency door, but she did otherwise.
After her death, the governments of India, Pakistan and the United States awarded her with state-level awards, acknowledging her bravery and spirit that she exhibited during the hour of utmost discomfort.
Below is a video of the final flight announcement of her life in her own voice.
