'My happiness is that people have not forgotten Neerja Bhanot': Sonam!

Comments [ 0 ] By Akash Jaiswal | 28 February 2016 | 12:31pm

Sonam Kapoor's film Neerja has done really well among the audience and has also succeeded in winning good critical acclaims. The actress seems to be very glad with the prosperity that Neerja has gained. She shared with us her happiness and different aspects about the film.

So, how happy and how overwhelmed are you with Neerja's response?

I am really happy as if it's about talking or promoting the film, it's all about Neerja. So the whole idea was to get Neerja's story to the people and the way people are responding it's clear that her story has reached out to people and that's what I am a actually happy about. My happiness is that people have not forgotten Neerja Bhanot.

How strenuous was it for you to perform the stunts while shooting for the film?

Yes, it was strenuous. But we had only 12-13 days on the plane for the film which we have to make in 31-32 days. So we were allowed to have only 1 or 2 takes and we were working for nearly 16 hours a day. We were actually working towards a particular goal that we wanted to make this film as honestly and as idealistic as possible and its all credit goes to the team that was involved. The production, the direction team, and the passengers (which are the largest featured cast) we all worked very hard. So you can't give credit to one person.

Will it be wrong to say that this film is a turning point for you?

I hope it's not as I am not turning it anywhere else (laughs). I can say that the film was so touching that even my 86 years old grandmother couldn't stop crying for three hours. I was like I don't know whether I should say sorry or thank you. I actually didn't know how to manage the situation. So I was like 'Thanks'.'Sorry'.

Does success of this film matters to you more than the success of 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'?

Matters to me? I think success of any film matters to anybody because you have to understand that every film is made with honesty. The kind of work Suraj Barjatya has put in 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' and all the efforts that we took in, it looks really beautiful but it's really difficult to wear those heavy jewelleries and dance. After that I had got swine flu for two weeks and I recovered it and I can barely stand and I had gone and danced for the title track of PRDP. I've done the song straight after my swine flu. So we've all put up a lot of efforts in everything that we do. So success in any film matters and it's decided on a Friday.

There were certain dialogues in the film where Neerja's character connected with the terrorists. She says that," Mai sirf apni duty kar rahi hu sir, jaise aap". These things were researched or were they cinematic rewordings?

Well, I don't know what Neerja Bhanot actually what said on those planes but like I said there are documents on what happened on the plane. So we stuck to that and we have captured the true emotions of what happened on that plane. So when you do a play or a film you have to capture the honest emotions and there were certain things that Neerja did which is true.

You know Arjun Kapoor has given a really emotional reaction to the film. So what would you say on that?

Well, he hasn't seen the film so let's not go there. But I have watched all his films so he better watch mine (laughs).

Well, Akshay Kumar had once said that there will be a time when realistic films will be made and not just pot boilers. So do you think that with Airlift and Neerja coming back to back and doing so well on the box office, his statement has turned correct?

There isn't anything wrong with potboilers! I think good films work on the box office. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is an outstanding film, so you cannot take that away. At the end anything that connects to the audience will do well.

So what's the status of your film 'Battle for Bitter'?

Well, the script is ready but we need to finish casting and finalize the director which we haven't done yet. I do very little work and it will take a while.

Sonam which was the best compliment that you get for Neerja?

I think from Neerja's brothers Akhil Bhanot. I think the validation that comes from family who says "Yes, you are Neerja for us". So for me that is the biggest validation and my responsibility was to live up to that.

So what were your parent's reactions after watching the film?

They were really happy and about my mom? What do moms say? I mean I've told her you don't watch the film. I was like other people are reacting who are not even my moms. They are hugging me and I am like I don't what's going to happen. But my mom was like, "No, I've seen your father for thirty years and seen things that fair so don't worry'. I said ok watch it and after the first half she said I can't go back in but then she saw the second half.

Sonam, do you think that this film has made you more confident as an actor?

I was always confident! You have to understand but I always feel that there's more to learn. So there will always be that insecurity where I feel like I can do better and that should be with all of us.

Akash Jaiswal

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