Life Lessons from Neerja

As we watched the movie “Neerja” last night, true story of a courageous air hostess, who sacrificed her life to save 359 passengers on board the hijacked PanAm flight in 1986, I couldn’t help but appreciate the objectivity and honesty with which actors played their characters.

Sonam Kapoor couldn’t have done more justice to her role as Neerja, and nor could have Shabana Azmi, as her mother. Having said that, each every character like Neerja’s father, brothers, the abusive husband, the friend who drives her to the airport, hijackers themselves and the radio engineer, added charm in ways that is worthy of appreciation.

Sharing with you, some of the life lessons that Neerja Bhanot taught me, making it one of the best movies of all times and my personal favourite:

1. Changing the way we bring up our daughters:

In the end, Shabana Azmi gives a heart wrenching, bitter sweet speech about how she had raised Neerja. She innocently says, “I never taught my daughter to be a hero”, underlining the gender discrimination in everyday life.  “Hamare me bhaiyo ko Veer kehte hain. Unko rakhi bandhte hain. Koi behno ko rakhi nahi bandhta. Unse koi nahi kehta raksha karne k liye. Maine bhi apni beti ko yahi sikhaya tha. Jab koi problem ae, toh apni jaan, apni izzat bachao. Pata nahi usne sab ke liye jeena kab seekh liya.”

Stop telling your daughters that they need to adjust because she’s a women and her man won’t, because he is a man.  

2. Do not swallow your self-respect:

Neerja’s decision of putting an end to her 2 months of abusive marriage is enough to tell that she didn’t and no woman must swallow her self-respect for anything or anyone. What is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong. If you don’t stand up for own self, no one else will.

3. Diamond v/s chocolate:

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but winning her heart does not always require one. Neerja decides to open the gift her “Special friend” gave her. It was a heart-warming proposal cum love letter. Battling with hijackers, not knowing what to do next and a cookie! What a gesture of love :)

4. Think of solutions:

After witnessing the first murder, there were times when Neerja panicked, felt helpless and lost control of her thoughts. The gruesome killing scares her. But the brave air hostess collects herself and starts thinking of solutions and means of getting out of this situation. This taught me that in times of difficulties, feeling fearful, helpless and anxious is natural. But we must not let it cloud our judgement.

5. Pride and Loyalty towards your work:

In a scene where one of the hijackers points a gun on her, asking Neerja to not serve any drinks or eatable to the passengers, she says, “Sir mai sirf apna kaam kar rahi hu. Jaise aap apna kar rahe hain.”

Come what may, do what is expected of you. People must have this kind of respect and loyalty towards their work, whatever their profession be.

Neerja Bhanot lived a life she always wanted to. She died in the year 1986, at the age of 23 and thanks to Ram Madhvani for bringing her alive on the celluloid. Her courage and story has become an inspiration to millions today.

Thank you Neerja :)