[null, {"document_url": "https://www.moviereviewspy.com/2016/02/neerja-hindi-movie-review-critic-reviews.html", "unformatted_src": "thumbnail1.jpg", "src": "https://www.moviereviewspy.com/thumbnail1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "thumbnail", "alt_text": "thumbnail 1 summary"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.moviereviewspy.com/2016/02/neerja-hindi-movie-review-critic-reviews.html", "unformatted_src": "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5HHCvwsy6w/VsYIQkX1UsI/AAAAAAAAGew/Wc-vOtZjQAM/s320/Neerja-Hindi-Movie-Review.jpg", "src": "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5HHCvwsy6w/VsYIQkX1UsI/AAAAAAAAGew/Wc-vOtZjQAM/s320/Neerja-Hindi-Movie-Review.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Neerja Hindi Movie Review", "alt_text": "Neerja Movie Review", "rendered_width": 222, "rendered_height": 320}, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "https://www.moviereviewspy.com/2016/02/neerja-hindi-movie-review-critic-reviews.html", "unformatted_src": "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1Ag_5LH27I/XAE0XaXk32I/AAAAAAAAI4c/GRhCO-FsSRsJbHZSs_USlliqxd8UrrJowCLcBGAs/s1600/2.0-tamil-movie-poster.jpg", "src": "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1Ag_5LH27I/XAE0XaXk32I/AAAAAAAAI4c/GRhCO-FsSRsJbHZSs_USlliqxd8UrrJowCLcBGAs/s1600/2.0-tamil-movie-poster.jpg"}, null, null]
Neerja (2016) Hindi Movie Review | Critic Reviews | Sonam Kapoor
 6:20:00 PM Neerja Movie Review

Average Rating - 7.6/10
Yes - 16

Critic Reviews Neerja

There are moments in the second half where the plot seems to drag. But the climax is powerful and makes up for that blip. Watch this if you are looking for an engaging film about love, extraordinary bravery and honour. But keep the tissues near by. You will need them.

A badly placed song in the second half (even if only in the background) doesn’t serve well. Also you wish the film were tighter and crisper, particularly in the second half. The feeling that you’re being manipulated – rather than feeling genuinely invested in what’s going on – pops up a few times too. But these are minor complaints in what is evidently a well-intentioned, heartfelt film that pays tribute to a real hero. I’m going with three-and-a-half out of five for Neerja. Don’t forget to carry a handkerchief; you’re going to need one.

One thing that the film stresses on beyond its on the face plot is empowering women. Especially in today’s time, we need to celebrate personalities like Neerja who have been brave females. Also the film will help change the mindset of how the jobs of models or air hostesses are treated poorly even today. The tear-jerking climax is superb. It will make sure everyone will leave the theaters with moist eyes.

The film does have a couple of flaws. It tends to get a bit slow and manipulative in between. But these are small hiccups in a film that besides telling an inspiring, fearless story briefly comments on the need to bring up our daughters as fearlessly as we bring up our sons. Shabana Azmi nails it in that last scene. I walked out with moist eyes and a lump in my throat, and that’s saying a lot.

Defying every norm laid down in the mainstream Bollywood rule-book, Neerja coaxes a riveting two-hour drama out of a real-life tale of extraordinary courage. For those old enough to remember how the hijacking of the 1986 Pan Am flight 73 panned out, the details are obviously all in the public domain. Yet, the need to bring the story of Neerja Bhanot to the big screen cannot be questioned, especially from the point of view of a younger audience.

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 terrorist is terrific. This one raises a toast to the daunting spirit of India's daughters; every one of us must salute Neerja.

Shabana Azmi is brilliant. As she tries convincing herself that nothing could happen to her daughter, as she gives a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter, as she looks at her daughter's body for the last time, Azmi makes sure you are left moist-eyed throughout. Even as I am writing this review, I still have a lump in my throat. Such is the power of humanity, kindness and good cinema. Please don't miss this one.

Minus the songs and the excessive schmaltz, ‘Neerja’ could have been outstanding. But still, the film holds, and hold us with it. Both Shabana Azmi and Tikku, as the parents hoping for the best and dreading the worst for their ‘Laado’ (Neerja’s ‘pet name’), are excellent. They shine a light on the tragically-cut-short life of their daughter, a true inspirational heroine whose deeds need more than a memorial. They need to be remembered. I came out of the theatre, wet-eyed.

Madhvani's biggest strength in Neerja may be the way he alternates between letting us relate to the character and making us feel awed by her. She's just like you or me or someone we know, the film seems to assure us, before showing us just how special she is -- and how special we must all hope to be. Many salutations, Neerja Bhanot, and may your story live on.

Neerja isn't always subtle in its sentimentality what with its moments of a mother (a poignant if mannered Shabana Azmi) instinctively sensing trouble or compulsively scouting for a misplaced good luck charm. And yet so heartfelt in its sympathy, I couldn't fight those tears when her father (a terrific Yogendra Tiku) stumbles for words to comfort his wife on the phone. He is not sure if he has reason to.

The story finds an able complement in the cast. Sonam Kapoor plays her Neerja with an exceptional vulnerability and courage, in a way that is not known of her. Shabana Azmi tears the viewer apart, both when she is controlled in her acting, and when she lets go. Yogendra Tiku slips into his role easily. In his debut film, music composer Shekhar Ravjiani manages to make an impression, but it is Sonam and Shabana's film at the end of the day.

A film like Neerja can usher in a new era where films based on true stories are concerned – this is how they should be made. In terms of performances, it's a career-best portrayal by Sonam Kapoor. Neerja fits her perfectly and vice versa. Shabana Azmi is outstanding – she literally carries the film on her shoulders for the last 10 minutes. Yogendra Tikku as the father has a tough role

Neerja is a milestone in Sonam Kapoor’s career. Not just because it’s a good film, but because she carries it entirely on her shoulder. She looks earnest, scared, benevolent and bold, all at the same time. You should see her in the scene where a terrorist frisks her: She aces it with a panache seldom seen in Bollywood. Shabana Azmi is very impressive as Neerja’s mother, her grip over emotional scenes are very visible.

'Neerja' will be remembered for its story, it will stay in the hearts of all movie-goers for its ingenuity. Call it a biographical sketch, but this isn't a tale of a terrorist attack. This is about a twenty-something ambitious woman, who is brave and poised in one of the most disturbing situations one could face in life. It is about a mother who wants nothing more than her daughter to be safe, and also of a father (Yogendra Tiku) who shows the utmost determination in this shocking turn of events.

Sonam's flaws are smoothened out by the class act of the four terrorists, who despite being new on the acting ground, are menacingly superlative. There’s also Shabana Azmi, who effortlessly moves us with her stellar act. It’s during the final moments when she pays tribute to her darling Neerja that we understand Shabana’s true power. Unfortunately, that’s something Sonam fails to bring on-screen. Still, ‘Neerja’ is a compelling watch. And, her’s is a story that deserves to be celebrated.
Read full review at emirates 24/7



Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani, Yogendra Tiku
Ram Madhvani
Saiwyn Qadras
Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh
Mitesh Mirchandani
Vishal Khurana
Atul Kasbekar, Shanti Sivaram Maini
