It’s almost 30 years since the unfortunate Pan Am Flight 73 hijack, and majority of youth is only now learning about Neerja Bhanot and her heroism, all thanks to an upcoming biopic that’ll tell this braveheart’s story. Directed by Ram Madhvani and with Sonam Kapoor in the titular role, the biopic is all slated to release later this week on February 19th.
Neerja Bhanot is the youngest Indian, and also the first woman recipient of the Ashok Chakra. Just two days before her 23rd birthday, she as a senior purser boarded the Pan Am Flight 73 from Mumbai to New York on 5th September, 1986, which was hijacked by four armed terrorists from Abu Nidal Organisation. Many would’ve panicked at the face of definite death, but Neerja remained calm and courageous, providing more than just moral support to her passengers. She did not get out of the plane alive, but she did save 360 people.
The producers of the film took to micro-blogging site Twitter where they released the last recorded voice of the slain hero, and undoubtedly an inspiration for generations to come. Listen to that announcement here-
sadaf khan
February 22, 2016 at 8:14 pm
I think every indian agree that the courage factor of Neerja was definitely amazing…