Neerja is one of the best works of Sonam so far. She played the role of the real life hero, Neerja who was an airhostess and saved lives on a plane hijack. It marks the six years of relase of the film.

 Apart from Sonam, the film featured Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tikku, Jim Sarbh, and Shekhar Ravjiani in pivotal roles. Today, as the biopic turns six, let us have a look at five ways how Neerja inspired the masses with her story. 

1. Knowing When to Call it Quits

Not all roads are met to be taken. Some paths are just to test our patience and strengths. We must always try and recognize when to call it quits. Neerja always stood for herself and took her decisions no matter what other have to say. She came out of an abusive marriage despite everyone suggesting her otherwise. 

2. Zindagi Bari Honi Chahiye Lambi Nahi 

In one of the first scenes from the movie, Neerja gets down from a cab and radiantly says the famous Rajesh Khanna dialogue from Anand, “Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi”. We find her reflecting this attitude throughout as she keeps her head high, stands by her decisions, and finds happiness in what she does. 

3. Extraordinary Courage in Extraordinary Circumstances 

You must always have the confidence of being couragious in extraordinary circumstance. There is no use of being curagious if you can't mould that according to the situation. Like Neerja showed extraordinary courage while the hijack. 

4. Persevere and be Calm 

Perseverance is the key to almost every cruveball. We might not achieve our goal at once but we must keep our shoulders down, chin up and think of alternative ways. 

5. Changing the way Daughters are Raised 

In the end, Shabana Azmi, who plays Neerja’s mother Rama Bhanot expresses in a moving monologue, how it is the norm for sisters to tie Rakhis on their ‘brave’ brothers’ wrists, so the latter protect them. But sisters are never asked to do the same for anyone. “Humare mein bhaiyo ko veer bolte hain. Veer ko behenein rakhi bandhti hain taaki wo unki raksha karein. Beheno se to koi nahi kehta raksha karne ko. Maine use kabhi nahi bataya, pata nahi kaha se usne sabke liye jeena seekh liya.”