On the contrary, Ram Madhvani’s period drama Neerja, which won the IIFA Best Film award this year, managed to achieve what it intended to. It brought to the fore the story of Neerja Bhanot, an air hostess who sacrificed her life to save the passengers of a hijacked Pan Am flight. While Sonam Kapoor won laurels for her layered portrayal of Bhanot, the conversation around the film transcended that and touched upon Bhanot’s remarkable achievement. Though she might have lost to Alia by a whisker, what she did gain for her film was a place in the larger consciousness of a country that has often forgotten its unsung heroes.

But as is the case, the credit for the same should extend to her entire team. Besides a great show by Shabana Azmi, Jim Sarbh and a host of supporting actors, Madhvani ensured every department of the film put its best foot forward. The cinematography by Mitesh Mirchandani was par excellence as he shot multiple lengthy scenes in a single take with the help of his team. Madhvani had revealed that while the crew did extensive workshops before getting to the sets, they left a little room for improvisation. The last minute panic translated into the scene as well, particularly when the terrorists hijack the ill-fated aircraft.

Monisha Baldawa’s editing deserves a word as well. She should be lauded for not allowing the length and smoothness of the takes to get the better of her editing instincts. Despite Madhvani resorting to the single take approach, Baldawa managed to incorporate her editing skills into the narrative by creatively juxtaposing Bhanot’s predicament with her past issues and ensuring sleek transitions between them.

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