Neerja: Difference between revisions

| name = [[Neerja]]

| editing = Monisha R. Baldawa

| gross = <!--Do not remove-->{{Estimation}}<!--per WT:ICTF consensus--> {{INR}}135.52 crore<ref name=NeerjaBO>{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/588|title=Box Office: Worldwide collections of Neerja|publisherwebsite=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=20 February 2016|access-date=17 August 2017|url-status=livedead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314024040/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/588|archive-date=14 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

'''''Neerja''''' is a 2016 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[biographical film|biographical]] [[thriller film]] directed by [[Ram Madhvani]] and written by [[Saiwyn Quadras]] and Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh. It was produced by [[Atul Kasbekar]]'s company, Bling Unplugged, alongside [[Fox Star Studios]]. The film featuresstars [[Sonam Kapoor]] as [[Neerja Bhanot|the titleeponymous characterlead]], with [[Shekhar Ravjiani]], [[Shabana Azmi]], [[Yogendra Tiku]], [[Kavi Shastri]] and [[Jim Sarbh]] in supporting roles.

The plot is based on a real-life event: the attempted [[aircraft hijacking|hijacking]] of [[Pan Am Flight 73]] in [[Karachi]], Pakistan by Libyan-backed [[Abu Nidal Organization]] on 5 September 1986. The film is shown from the point of view of the [[Purser#Aircraft|head purser]] of the flight, [[Neerja Bhanot]], who thwarted the hijack attempt by alerting the pilots, thus grounding the plane. Bhanot died trying to help save the passengers and crew, of whom 359 of the 379 on board survived.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Development began in September 2014, when Kasbekar signed Madhvani and Kapoor for a film to be made by Bling Unplugged and Fox Star Studios. Saiwyn Quadras and Sanyuktha Chawla worked on the script, with principal photography taking place in [[Mumbai]]. The film features music by Vishal Khurana, with lyrics written by [[Prasoon Joshi]]. ''Neerja'' was released on 19 February 2016 to critical acclaim, and became one of the highest- grossing [[Bollywood]] films featuring a female protagonist. The film grossed {{INRConvert|135.52|c}} at the box office.

The film received awidespread numbercritical ofacclaim and numerous accolades atfrom Bollywood award organisations, with particular praise for Kapoor's performance and Madhvani's direction. It won two2 awards at the [[64th National Film Awards]] including- [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi|Best Feature Film in Hindi]] and [[National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film)|Special Mention]] for (Kapoor). At the [[62nd Filmfare Awards]], ''Neerja'' received 8 nominations, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] (Madhvani), and won sixa leading 6 awards, including [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film|Best Film (Critics)]], [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress (Critics)]] for (Kapoor), and [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for (Azmi).

22-year-old [[Neerja Bhanot]] arrives late for a house party one evening. Her mother, Rama, expresses concern about Neerja's job as a flight attendant, suggesting that Neerja should return to her old modelling career. Neerja insists on keeping her job. SheOn the early morning of September 5, 1986, she is driven to the[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airportAirport]] by her friend Jaideep.

Neerja boards [[Pan Am 73]], from Mumbai to New York with stops in Karachi and Frankfurt. During the flightfirst leg, Neerjashe reflects on her brief, unhappy arranged marriage to Naresh, a professional in [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], who abused her over her small dowry and inability to perform household work. She eventually returned home for a modelling contract. Naresh sent her parents a letter complaining about the dowry and their daughter's lack of domestic skills, demanding that Neerja either bring back the money or not return it at all. Neerja left Naresh and landed a job with [[Pan American World Airways|Pan Am Airways]].

As Neerja boards [[Pan Am 73]]Meanwhile, it is meanwhile revealed that the [[Abu Nidal]] organisation, a Libyan-sponsored [[Palestine (region)|Palestinian]] [[terrorist]] group, plans to hijack the plane in Karachi. The plane takes off from Mumbai's [[Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajJinnah International Airport]]. andThe plane lands inas Karachi's [[Jinnah International Airport]],scheduled wherewherein the four Abu Nidal terrorists, disguised as security officers escorting a Libyan diplomat, hijackinfiltrate the planeairport. Neerja quickly alerts the cockpit, without the terrorists knowing, and the three American pilots escape through the overhead hatch, fleeing to the terminal under fire from the hijackers. The American pilots had just enough time to escape, as the hijackers did not realise that the cockpit of a [[Boeing 747]] is locatedon the upper upstairslevel.

When a [[Indians in Kenya|Kenyan-born]] [[Indian American]] passenger reveals himself as an American, one of the terrorists murders him and dumps his body off the aircraft in front of the Pakistani negotiators. The terrorists try to locate a radio engineer among the passengers by ordering Neerja to make an announcementannounce over the intercom. When Imran Ali, a Pakistani radio engineer, begins to stand up, Neerja signals for him to sit down. The terrorists have the flight attendants collect all passports to identify the American passengers and hold them hostage; Neerja and her colleagues collect the passportscomply, disposing of any American passports by throwing them down trash chutes or hiding them under seats. Dejected over not finding any American passports, the hijackers instead take a British passenger hostage.

The Pakistani negotiators inadvertently reveal the name of radio engineer Ali, whom the hijackers bring to the cockpit to use the radio for negotiations. Meanwhile, the Pakistani authorities try to stall for time. When a younger terrorist assaults the passengers and moleststhreatens the attendants, the terrorist leader chastises him;. humiliatedHumiliated, the younger terrorist storms into the cockpit and shoots Ali, screaming wild threats over the radio. While negotiations with the Pakistani air controllers drag on, the negotiators slowly lose control of the situation, with the hijackers becoming more agitated by the minute. Meanwhile, Neerja, whowhose hadbirthday herwould birthdaybe in 2 days later, hadopens an envelope andgiven whento sheher hasby keptJaideep. away from other passengers, opens thatThe envelope givenhas toa herletter byfrom Jaideephim, her friend, which wasconfessing his love confessionto her, and a cookie,. Neerja reads thatthe note and eats thatthe cookie which symbolizes her acceptance of his love, butsomething onwhich aJaideep little sad note Jaideepwill never gets to know that she has accepted his lovelearn.

Around 17 hours later, the plane loses auxiliary power, and the lights go out inside the plane. Despite Neerja and the other attendants' attempts to explain, the terrorists assume the Pakistanis cut the power deliberately, and anticipate an imminent Pakistani raid on the plane. The panicking hijackers begin shooting down passengers indiscriminately; at great peril to her own life, Neerja opens the emergency exit door and deploys the chute, directing passengers out of the plane. Choosing to let the passengers escape first, Neerja is shot three times by a terrorist as she tries to shield three young children from the gunfire. The children escape the plane, and Neerja then drags herself out of the doorway and down the emergency slide before dying. The Special Service Group storms the plane and kills all the terrorists.

The film ends with a tribute to Neerja, who was eventually honoured posthumously with the [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]], India's highest military decoration awarded for peacetime valorvalour, courageous action or self-sacrifice.

** [[Arjun Kapoor]] as an infant Aneesh Bhanot (ArchivePhotograph appearanceonly)

''Source'':<ref name="Neerja: Cast & Crew">{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/neerja/cast/|title=Neerja: Cast & Crew|publisherwebsite=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=2015|access-date=24 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411042705/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/neerja/cast/|archive-date=11 April 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[Pre-production]] work on ''Neerja'' began in September 2014, when the film's executive producer Atul Kasbekar said that his company, Bling Unplugged, would co-produce [[Ram Madhvani]]'s film along with [[Fox Star Studios]]. Kasbekar later tweeted, "Do U Know Who Neerja Bhanot Is? No? Well U Really Really Should...".<ref name="Atul Kasbekar to produce Neerja Bhanot biopic starring Sonam Kapoor">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/atul-kasbekar-to-produce-neerja-bhanot-biopic-starring-sonam-kapoor/|title=Atul Kasbekar to produce Neerja Bhanot biopic starring Sonam Kapoor|newspaper=[[India Today]]|date=30 March 2015|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810210405/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/atul-kasbekar-to-produce-neerja-bhanot-biopic-starring-sonam-kapoor/|archive-date=10 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He said, "For us [...], a story of courage as exceptional as Neerja's simply deserved to be told. We just decided that we would do our bit to ensure that India would remember one of its great heroines."<ref name="First Look : Super Star Sonam Kapoor As Neerja Bhanot In The Biopic">{{cite news|url=http://koimoi.com/bollywood-popular/first-look-sonam-kapoor-as-neerja-bhanot-in-the-biopic|title=First Look : Super Star Sonam Kapoor As Neerja Bhanot in the Biopic|publisher=[[Koimoi]]|date=4 May 2015|access-date=22 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507005011/http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-popular/first-look-sonam-kapoor-as-neerja-bhanot-in-the-biopic/|archive-date=7 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The film's script and screenplay were penned by Saiwyn Quadras, and the dialogue was written by Sanyuktha Chawla Sheikh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heartfelt message by writer of 'Mary Kom' after 62nd National Film Awards|url=httphttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/150324/entertainment-bollywood/article/heartfelt-message-writer-mary-kom-after-62nd-national-film|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=25 March 2015|access-date=14 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212125407/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150324/entertainment-bollywood/article/heartfelt-message-writer-mary-kom-after-62nd-national-film|archive-date=12 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The director of photography for the film was the cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani, who had been previously associated with 2012 film ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]''. The editing for the film was done by Monisha R Baldawa and Manohar Verma served as the stunt director for the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/neerja-review-a-story-well-worth-telling-this-is-sonam-kapoors-best-performance-to-date-2633848.html|title=Neerja review: A story well worth telling, this is Sonam Kapoor's best performance to date|newspaper=[[Firstpost]]|date=22 February 2016|access-date=24 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220213453/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/neerja-review-a-story-well-worth-telling-this-is-sonam-kapoors-best-performance-to-date-2633848.html|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Neerja: Cast & Crew" />

It was initially offered to [[Alia Bhatt]] to play the role of Neerja Bhanot. Bhatt opted out of the film because of her height and her role went to Kapoor. Kapoor was contracted by Kasbekar to play Neerja Bhanot, the senior flight crew member. On receiving the role of Neerja in the film, Kapoor told [[Press Trust of India]], "I thought doing this film just reaffirms that it is about not bowing down. It is an inspiring story for me to do. I am blessed."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/sonam-kapoor-feel-blessed-to-play-neerja-bhanot-in-biopic-1219568|title=Sonam Kapoor: Feel Blessed to Play Neerja Bhanot in Biopic|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=22 September 2015|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123111637/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/sonam-kapoor-feel-blessed-to-play-neerja-bhanot-in-biopic-1219568|archive-date=23 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was reported in May 2015 that [[Shekhar Ravjiani]], one half of [[Bollywood]]'s performing/producing duo [[Vishal–Shekhar]], would play a short role in the movie, marking his acting debut.<ref>{{cite webnews|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Shekhar-Ravjiani-to-play-Neerja-Bhanots-lover/articleshow/47330910.cms|title=Shekhar Ravjiani to play Neerja Bhanot's lover|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522015854/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Shekhar-Ravjiani-to-play-Neerja-Bhanots-lover/articleshow/47330910.cms|archive-date=22 May 2015|df=dmy-all|last1=Gupta |first1=Priya }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/6225215/Shekhar-Ravjiani-to-make-acting-debut-in-Neerja-|title=Shekhar Ravjiani to make acting debut in Neerja|publisherwebsite=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|url-status=livedead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104048/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/6225215/Shekhar-Ravjiani-to-make-acting-debut-in-Neerja-|archive-date=22 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Shabana Azmi]] played the role of Neerja's mother Rama Bhanot in the film. [[Shefali Shah]] was supposed to play the role of her mother and her role went to Azmi. In an interview with ''[[The Indian Express]]'', Azmi describes her character and explains, "It was very difficult to play her, particularly the last scene where Rama addresses an audience. It is an extremely well-written emotional scene, which does complete justice to the moment."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/it-was-very-difficult-to-play-neerjas-mother-shabana-azmi/|title=It was very difficult to play Neerja's mother: Shabana Azmi|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=5 February 2016|access-date=13 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510012314/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/it-was-very-difficult-to-play-neerjas-mother-shabana-azmi/|archive-date=10 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Principal photography of the film commenced 19 April 2015 in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/sonam-kapoor-begins-filming-neerja-bhanot-biopic-bollywood-stars-tweet-good-wishes-756325|title=Sonam Kapoor Begins Filming Neerja Bhanot Biopic, Bollywood Stars Tweet Good Wishes|publisher=NDTV|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091342/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/sonam-kapoor-begins-filming-neerja-bhanot-biopic-bollywood-stars-tweet-good-wishes-756325|archive-date=22 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After two months of filming, the shooting was wrapped up on 19 June 2015. Kasbekar tweeted, "Amazing! And it's a wrap on ''Neerja'' !!! 32 shooting days!!! That's Two More days than [[Birdman (film)|''Birdman'']] took!"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://in.movies.yahoo.com/post/121988736029|title=Sonam Kapoor Wraps Up Neerja Bhanot Shoot!|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|date=20 June 2015|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421192920/https://in.style.yahoo.com/tagged/movies|url-status=live}}</ref> During the principal photography of the film, many Bollywood celebrities visited the film's sets, including [[Vidya Balan]], [[Boman Irani]], [[Anil Kapoor]], and [[Raju Hirani]]. "I knew that getting Aamir Khan, Boman Irani, Vidya Balan, Raju Hirani and Anil Kapoor to speak to the 220 cast would help instill dedication and effort that this film would require," director Madhvani said in a statement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sonam-kapoor-neerja-bhanot-biopic-surprise-visitor-film-shooting-aamir-khan/1/440179.html|title=Neerja Bhanot biopic: A surprise visitor for Sonam Kapoor|newspaper=India Today|date=25 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806232556/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sonam-kapoor-neerja-bhanot-biopic-surprise-visitor-film-shooting-aamir-khan/1/440179.html|archive-date=6 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

During production, the actors playing the crew and the passengers of the flight were put in separate hotels from the actors portraying the hijackers and ate their meals separately, ostensibly to create an air of antagonism in the film between the two groups. This element was applied earlier to the 2006 film [[United 93 (film)|''United 93'']].

The makers of the film acknowledged the responsibility of portraying the story. One challenge faced was acquiring an actual Boeing 747 for shooting. Director Ram Madhvani and Rucha Pathak initially thought of shooting in [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] or the [[United States]] due to the convenience of leasing a retired 747 but later decided to re-create the plane because a major part of the film required shooting against the plane backdrop. The plane set took 48 days to builtbuild and closely resembled the actual aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|title = WATCH: How The Crew Of 'Neerja' Built An Actual Plane|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/02/05/neerja-plane-built-pan_n_9165766.html|work = The Huffington Post| date=5 February 2016 |access-date = 15 February 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160213103047/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/02/05/neerja-plane-built-pan_n_9165766.html|archive-date = 13 February 2016|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2016|21|526}}

The soundtrack received a positive critical response. Mohar Basu of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the music a 3.5 out of 5 ratings, saying that it "is beautiful, pensive, touching and all of it sans melodrama," and that it "is straight from the soul."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/music-reviews/Music-Review-Neerja/articleshow/51042713.cms|title=Music Review: Neerja|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 February 2016|access-date=30 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225133217/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/music-reviews/Music-Review-Neerja/articleshow/51042713.cms|archive-date=25 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Joginder Tuteja of [[Bollywood Hungama]] said that "the songs of the film heard are strictly functional and won't really be into play once the film is through." He added that the songs "Aankhein Milayenge Darr Se" and "Gehra Ishq" would make the most impression.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/musiccriticreview/id/4123592|title=Neerja (2016) : Critic Review By Joginder Tuteja|publisherwebsite=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=15 February 2016|access-date=30 May 2016|url-status=livedead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320220237/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/musiccriticreview/id/4123592|archive-date=20 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A critic of ''The Quint'' praised the music album and said, "The brilliance of this album is that it features songs which will not hijack and/or disrupt the flow of the narrative. The sound is delicate, fearless, vulnerable and always intimate."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thequint.com/entertainment/2016/02/10/review-the-music-of-neerja-is-disarmingly-good|title=Review: The Music of 'Neerja' is Disarmingly Good|work=The Quint|date=10 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610093853/http://www.thequint.com/entertainment/2016/02/10/review-the-music-of-neerja-is-disarmingly-good|archive-date=10 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The film was released worldwide, in approximately 671 theatres, on 19 February 2016. Upon release, ''Neerja'' received positive reviews, with praise directed to Kapoor's performance,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.india.com/showbiz/neerja-movie-review-sonam-kapoors-gripping-performance-as-neerja-bhanot-leaves-anupama-chopra-teary-eyed-964096/|title=Neerja movie review: Sonam Kapoor's gripping performance as Neerja Bhanot leaves Anupama Chopra teary-eyed|newspaper=India.com|date=20 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423205033/http://www.india.com/showbiz/neerja-movie-review-sonam-kapoors-gripping-performance-as-neerja-bhanot-leaves-anupama-chopra-teary-eyed-964096/|archive-date=23 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was a huge box office success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/neerja-live-tweet-review-first-day-first-show-1204853.html|title='Neerja' tweet review: The film makes for a compelling watch; a story that everyone needs to know|publisher=[[News18]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220184058/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/neerja-live-tweet-review-first-day-first-show-1204853.html|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/neerja-quick-take-sonam-kapoor-in-an-inspirational-tale-of-bravery-and-warmth/story-ShpW7jiDyvYvqKP11ZO30K.html|title=Neerja quick take: Sonam Kapoor shines through this thrilling ride|work=Hindustan Times|date=19 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219091629/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/neerja-quick-take-sonam-kapoor-in-an-inspirational-tale-of-bravery-and-warmth/story-ShpW7jiDyvYvqKP11ZO30K.html|archive-date=19 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/neerja-review/|title=Neerja Review|author=Surabhi Redkar|date=19 February 2016|publisher=Koimoi|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220100619/http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/neerja-review/|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The film was also praised by Delhi's [[Chief Minister (India)|Chief Minister]], [[Arvind Kejriwal]], who tweeted that the film's message was, "Live for others, die for others."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/arvind-kejriwals-take-on-neerja-read-here_1856996.html|title=Arvind Kejriwal's take on 'Neerja'|publisher=Zee News|date=18 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425013600/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/arvind-kejriwals-take-on-neerja-read-here_1856996.html|archive-date=25 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The film emerged as one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films featuring a female protagonist.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/588 | title=Box Office: Worldwide collections of Neerja | publisherwebsite=[[Bollywood Hungama]] | access-date=3 June 2016 | url-status=livedead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314024040/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/588 | archive-date=14 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-neerja-beats-mary-kom-queen-to-become-highest-grossing-film-with-female-lead-2186781 | title=Women power: Neerja beats Mary Kom and Queen to become highest grossing heroine-centric film | work=Daily News and Analysis | date=8 March 2016 | access-date=3 June 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311083137/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-neerja-beats-mary-kom-queen-to-become-highest-grossing-film-with-female-lead-2186781 | archive-date=11 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

''Neerja'' was banned in Pakistan, sincefor thereasons filmthat showsremain uncertain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-08 |title=Neerja's story to remain unheard in Pakistan |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1042656/neerjas-story-to-remain-unheard-in-pakistan a|access-date=2023-06-10 negative|website=The light.Express Tribune |language=en-PK}}</ref> The [[Central Board of Film CertificationCensors|CBFC]] (CBFC)<!-- several sources seem to be mistakenly using the name of the unrelated Indian board, so as a compromise, the unexpanded abbreviation, which is identical for both boards, has been used here --> maintained that the film should not be considered "banned" in Pakistan because it was not submitted to them.<ref>{{citeCite web news|urldate=http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/why-sonam-kapoor-s-neerja-may-have-been-banned-in-pakistan-2016-02-29-1.62257112 |title=Why Sonam Kapoor's 'Neerja' maywas have beennever banned in Pakistan|publisher=[[Emirates' 24/7]]|date=29 February 2016|access-date=2 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://webtribune.archivecom.orgpk/webstory/201608071157061045651/http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/why-sonam-kapoor-s-neerja-maywas-have-beennever-banned-in-pakistan |access-2016date=2023-0206-29-1.62257110 |archive-datewebsite=7The AugustExpress Tribune 2016|dflanguage=dmyen-allPK}}</ref>

Upon release, the film, as well as Sonam Ahuja'sKapoor’s performance, received widespread praise from film critics around the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/neerja-review-round-here-what-critics-have-say-about-sonam-kapoor-starrer-667477|title='Neerja' review round-up: Here is what critics have to say about Sonam Kapoor-starrer [VIDEO]|newspaper=International Business Times|date=19 February 2016|access-date=2 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625105551/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/neerja-review-round-here-what-critics-have-say-about-sonam-kapoor-starrer-667477|archive-date=25 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 100%, based on 912 reviews with an average rating of 8/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/neerja_2016/|title=Neerja (2016)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=13 July 2018|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206092119/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/neerja_2016/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shubha Shetty-Saha of ''[[Mid-Day]]'' gave the film 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "a deeply moving experience", and writing for Kapoor deemed it as "her best performance till date".<ref name="Neerja Review">{{cite news|title=Neerja Movie Review|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/neerja---movie-review/16969171|access-date=19 February 2016|newspaper=Mid Day|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220100548/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/neerja---movie-review/16969171|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Meena Iyer of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave ''Neerja'' 4 out of 5 stars and said, "''Neerja'' raises a toast to the daunting spirit of India's daughters; every one of us must salute Neerja."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Neerja/movie-review/51056683.cms|title=Neerja Movie Review|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 February 2016|access-date=31 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507210713/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Neerja/movie-review/51056683.cms|archive-date=7 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Bollywood Hungama]] gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and said, "As a movie -watching experience, ''Neerja'' is flawless. There's not a single false note."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/4123592|title=Neerja review|publisherwebsite=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=20 February 2016|url-status=livedead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220100317/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/4123592|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', [[Anupama Chopra]] awarded 4 out of 5 stars, saying that "''Neerja'' is a truly inspiring story that will grip you from the first frame till the last."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/neerja-review-by-anupama-chopra-this-one-is-a-genuine-weeper/story-LbKYEV2Pua5EjCDYWkqagP.html|title=Neerja review by Anupama Chopra: This one is a genuine weeper|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=20 February 2016 |access-date=20 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220103400/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/neerja-review-by-anupama-chopra-this-one-is-a-genuine-weeper/story-LbKYEV2Pua5EjCDYWkqagP.html|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sarita Tanwar from ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'' gave 4 out of 5 stars, writing, "''Neerja'' is quite easily the finest film in recent times (on par with ''[[Talvar (film)|Talvar]]'' (2015)) based on a true story."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-neerja-review-a-career-best-portrayal-by-sonam-kapoor-captures-a-true-hero-s-grit-2179552|title=Neerja Review: A career best portrayal captures a true hero's grit|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|access-date=20 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221222751/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-neerja-review-a-career-best-portrayal-by-sonam-kapoor-captures-a-true-hero-s-grit-2179552|archive-date=21 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Raja Sen from [[Rediff.com]] gave 4 out of 5 stars as well and called it "an absolute must-watch," adding that "Sonam Kapoor is exceptional as Neerja Bhanot."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-neerja-is-an-absolute-must-watch/20160219.htm|title=Review: Neerja is an absolute must-watch|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=20 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219214249/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-neerja-is-an-absolute-must-watch/20160219.htm|archive-date=19 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Suahni Singh of ''[[India Today]]'' rated the film as a 3.5 stars and stated, "Sonam Kapoor delivered her career-best performance as she assuredly plays an abused wife, a beloved daughter and a flight attendant caught in her worst nightmare."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/neerja-review-sonam-kapoor-delivers-her-career-best-performance-in-ram-madhvanis-film/1/600382.html|title=Neerja review: Sonam Kapoor delivers her career-best performance in Ram Madhvani's film|newspaper=India Today|date=19 February 2016|access-date=24 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702041543/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/neerja-review-sonam-kapoor-delivers-her-career-best-performance-in-ram-madhvanis-film/1/600382.html|archive-date=2 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Rummana of ''[[Yahoo!]]'' gave it 4 out of 5 stars, stating, "''Neerja'' deserves loud applause because not only is it an exceptional story of courage but because it is an ode to the undying spirit of humanity" and called Kapoor as "the star of the film".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://in.movies.yahoo.com/post/139594655274/yahoo-movies-review-neerja|title=Yahoo Movies Review: Neerja|publisher=Yahoo!|date=19 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221185532/https://in.movies.yahoo.com/post/139594655274/yahoo-movies-review-neerja|archive-date=21 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ''[[The Economic Times]]'' also gave a 4 out of 5 star rating: "''Neerja'' is a must-see, not just for its cinematic value, but also as a reminder to salute Neerja's spirit."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/neerja-review-no-theatrics-a-must-see-film/articleshow/51085209.cms|title='Neerja' review: No theatrics, a must-see film|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=22 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504154116/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/neerja-review-no-theatrics-a-must-see-film/articleshow/51085209.cms|archive-date=4 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[News18]] gave a 3.5 out of 5 rating and said, "''Neerja'' is "a well-intentioned, heartfelt film that pays tribute to a real hero."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/neerja-review-a-well-intentioned-heartfelt-film-that-pays-tribute-to-a-real-hero-1205156.html|title='Neerja' review: A well-intentioned, heartfelt film that pays tribute to a real hero|website=News18|date=19 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523062757/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/neerja-review-a-well-intentioned-heartfelt-film-that-pays-tribute-to-a-real-hero-1205156.html|archive-date=23 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' also gave the film 3 stars out of 5, writing that "Minus the songs and the excessive schmaltz, ''Neerja'' could have been outstanding. But still, the film holds, and hold us with it."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/neerja-movie-review-sonam-kapoor-film-stars/|title=Neerja movie review: Sonam Kapoor makes us believe she is, was, Neerja|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=22 February 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220090021/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/neerja-movie-review-sonam-kapoor-film-stars/|archive-date=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===

*[https://web.archive.org/web/2018100916140820170619143920/http://www.neerjabhanot.org/ Website on Neerja Bhanot]