Ram Madhvani, director of Neerja, explains to Riya Sharma that the biopic on Neerja Bhanot is not about the tragic hijack but at the heart of it is a doting relationship of a mother and daughter
Known for making award winning commercials in India, Ram Madhvani is now directing a biopic on the life of a flight attendant who sacrificed her life while saving passengers from terrorists on an hijacked plane. In a chat, he shares the idea behind making the film, why he considers the research work to be imperative with each project he undertakes and how important is chronological truth while filming a biopic.
How did the idea of making a biopic on Neerja Bhanot cross your mindIJ
Atul Kasbekar, who runs a talent management company, is a friend of mine and he called me two and a half- three years ago saying, ‘Would you like to make a movie on Neerja BhanotIJ’ He is the person who set me on the journey and somebody who had enough faith and belief in me to say, ‘Come let’s walk this journey together,’ and my answer was an emphatic yes. My family members knew Neerja Bhanot but I did not meet her personally. And, while growing up, we had heard her story and the fact that she was 23-years-old, and I wanted to tell the world how her family reacted to her death, especially her mother. There is hijack, yes, but at the heart of the film, we have an intense mother-daughter story.
You have Shabana Azmi on board to play the role of Neerja’s mother in the movie, and Sonam playing Neerja Bhanot; how did the casting happenIJ
I was happy that Shabana Azmi agreed for the movie and you know what, they both have known each other for a long time. Sonam was discouraged by her father when she let him know that she wanted to become an actress and he sent Sonam to Shabana thinking that she might tell her off but she said ‘you must become an actress.’ (laughs) And, there are a lot many more connections here, Shabana Azmi turned out to be the chief guest for Neerja Bhanot’s bravery award last year, various things were part of the destiny. That is why we brought them together as the mother and daughter duo in Neerja.
Till now, Sonam has done roles which are somewhat gentle and feminine so wasn’t it a risk to sign her for this movieIJ
It is about a girl who is vulnerable, it is about a girl who is very scared. Neerja is about a girl who faces her fear, and not a film on bravery. I know what fear means. I know what it means when people do what they are supposed to do, whatever fear they may face. For Sonam, she is not the girl who is going to go there and bash up the terrorists, I believe none of us can. But, what we can do is, we could go out there and be compassionate and be kind. We can be scared and vulnerable but at the same time help others.
So, has she done justice to the roleIJ
I would not rather speak about that. I want you to discover that for yourself. If I would say something then you would think that it is a marketing strategy that a director is using to sell his movie, but I want people to tell me how they liked the movie. Of course, I held my head high but I need you to say, ‘Wow, Sonam has done such a fantastic job!’
Considering a case such as this, what was the research work you did in terms of meeting and finding out more about NeerjaIJ
You know, I am a very research and detail oriented person even when I am working on ads, so I make sure while I am creating something new, I need to look authentic and real. But that is natural, I don’t know why people consider it a big deal. You should do your research work because you are held responsible. It is a very well documented case in our history so we researched on everything, the books she read, her family members, music she listened to but eventually when you experience it, you won’t be interested in the research work that I did. You are interested in feeling what I made you feel. But when you go and see it, you have to feel the fear she faced, the trauma those passengers went through and the pride that her mother had.
How difficult was it to meet the family members of Neerja BhanotIJ
It wasn’t difficult, because the family was very positive. The mother, Rama Bhanot, had passed away two days before the trailer was launched, and she was a very energetic and positive lady. She used to say, ‘Khush raho, mast raho, jeete raho’. And, honestly, she was traumatised with what she went through, but now when you meet the family, they celebrated her life. I think it is very important to imbibe what they stood for. It is very difficult to lose your child when she is only 23; she had two elder brothers and how do you overcome that. If you meet the family today, then those are the lessons that you learn.
What are the things that one needs to keep in mind while making a biopicIJ
There is a phycological truth and then there is a chronological truth. When it comes to making a biopic, you have to be sure about the historical as well as chronological truth. But, when you are making a movie otherwise, you tend to create psychological and emotional truth.