Review of Neerja

Image Courtesy

Cast: Sonam Kapoor (Neerja Bhanot), Shabana Azmi (Rama Bhanot), Shekhar (Jaideep), Yogendra Tiku (Harish  Bhanot)

Directed by: Ram Madhvani

Produced by: Atul Kasbekar, Shanti Sivaram Maini, Bling Unplugged, Fox Star Studios

Written by: Sajwan Quadras, Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh

Screenplay by: Sajwyn Quadras

Music by: Vishal Khurana

Cinematography: Mitesh Mirchandani

Edited by: Monisha R Baldawa

Production Company: Fox Star Studios

Distributed by: Fox Star Studios

Release date: 19^th February, 2016

Language: Hindi

Duration: 2 hours 2 minutes

Neerja, is a film by Ram Madhvani, which is based on the real hijacking incident of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan in 1986. The film is based on incredible presence of mind and bravery shown by a 23 year old air hostess Neerja Bhanot, who became instrumental in saving almost 359 lives out of 379 lives on board. Such films which are based on real stories are beyond any review. The only thing which becomes important is whether titular character’s life and the incident have been justified in the film or not. Ram Madhvani has nailed it. The film Neerja sticks to the core, and the events unfold naturally, gradually. Neerja, the titular character, is shown to be a very normal girl, who evolves during a crisis situation and puts her head and heart in place. The story telling is done in such a manner that it would indeed touch your heart. One would also feel proud of the fact that an Indian girl grew beyond her own limitations and displayed extraordinary courage during crisis time. Neerja Bhanot is the youngest Indian to be awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest honour for courage.  

Neerja Bhanot : Image Courtesy link

Background of the film is that a Pan Am Mumbai-Frankfurt-New York flight was hijacked on 5^th September, 1986. This flight landed at Karachi prior to proceeding to Frankfurt, and that is where it was hijacked by four armed Palestinian terrorists of Abu Nidal Organization. Militants were planning to use the hijacked plane to pick up Palestinian prisoners in Cyprus and Israel. A survivor has also claimed that he had heard the hijackers intending to crash the plane into a target in Israel. This film Neerja is based on this hijacking incident.

Neerja (Sonam Kapoor), a die-hard Rajesh Khanna fan, is shown to be a fun-loving person, who spreads energy wherever she is. Initial frames show her sprouting Rajesh Khanna’s dialogue : जिन्दगी बड़ी होनी चाहिए, लम्बी नहीं . Neerja is an airhostess as well as a model. She had just done an assignment for bridal wear. She reaches her society gathering, where her family (parents – Yogendra Tiku and Shabana Azmi playing Harish and Rama Bhanot, and two brothers) are all waiting for her so as to make the boring party lively. And that is what exactly she does, peps up the whole atmosphere.

The next day she had to fly by Pan Am 73. It was her first trip as Head Purser. She was very fond of her job. Beautiful mother-daughter moments are shown before her departure. Rama tells Neerja also that her blood pressure shoots up whenever she goes for her duty and it comes down only when her flight lands. Rama is shown as typical mother, who gets worries for her child. She even worries, when Neerja misplaced her ring suggested by an astrologer. These small details make the movie even deeper.

Shekhar plays the role of Jaideep, who is smitten by Neerja, comes to drop Neerja to the airport. Shekhar gifts her a small pack as her birthday gift, asking her to open the same only on her birthday on 7^th September, 1986.

Initial frames also shows the Palestinian terrorists’ preparation.

As a head purser, Neerja ensured whether things are in order or not in flight. Neerja is shown to be lovingly interacting with the passengers. Little did the passengers know that a crisis was awaiting them?

The flight landed at Karachi, where it was hijacked. Having taken a training to handle the hijack crisis, Neerja’s brain worked and she alerted the captain and his team at cockpit which made them leave the cockpit through an overhead hatch. Neerja’s thought behind alerting the captain and his team was to save them and also was sure that aircraft could not be forcibly flown. Neerja as a head purser handles the situation.

Neerja’s marital discord and her divorce with Naresh (in Doha) is also shown interspersed with the hijack events.

The film further shows the ordeal faced by the passengers and crew. How the events shape up? How did the terrorists treat passengers and the crew? How did Neerja save the lives? Was she able to maintain her cool in midst of this crisis? Was she able to negotiate with the terrorists and also simultaneously keep the passengers calm? What gift Shekhar had given Neerja? Watch the film for Neerja, the braveheart.

Sonam Kapoor is good as Neerja. Shabana Azmi’s motherly affection would win your hearts. Rest of the cast has also done a good job.   

Certain scenes are extremely emotional: Roma and Harish’s conversation after the highjack, wishing her daughter to be safe but not able to console each other. The last scene where Roma shares her grief, pain, pride of being Neerja’s mother.

Watch Neerja, an excellent film, which would leave you in tears for the kind of human spirits displayed by the braveheart. She made Rajesh Khanna starrer Anand film’s dialogue her own life’s philosophy: जिन्दगी बड़ी होनी चाहिए, लम्बी नहीं . She lived a great life. Grand Salute to Neerja.     

Rating : 4 / 5 (Very Good)

Review of Puthiya Niyamam (പുതിയ നിയമം)

Image Courtesy: Official Facebook Page of the film

Cast: Mammootty (Adv. Louis Pothen), Nayantara (Vasuki Iyer), Baby Ananya (Chintha), Aju Varghese (Romanch), Sheelu Abraham (DCP Jeena), Rachana Narayanankutty (Kani), SN Swamy, Sadiq

Directed by: AK Sajan

Produced by: P Venugopal, Geo Abraham

Written by: AK Sajan

Music by: Songs – Vinu Thomas; Background Score – Gopi Sunder

Cinematography: Roby Varghese Raj

Edited by: Vivek Harshan

Production Company: VG Films International

Distributed by: Abaam Movies, Popcorn Entertainments (Asia Pacific)

Release date: 12^th February, 2016

Language: Malayalam

Duration: 2 hours 13 minutes

Puthiya Niyamam (പുതിയ നിയമം) has indeed created a new benchmark for the Malayalam films. Written and directed by AK Sajan, I could find an evident similarity between this film and Drishyam. It outperforms Drishyam, which was a superhit film. Story of Drishyam was beyond right / wrong, and it dealt with how an individual deals with the situations in crisis, especially when family was involved. Puthiya Niyamam highlights the wrong (s) of our society and how ordinary people, when victimized, evolve to fight the situations. Here also, the protagonists’ rights may not be the ‘rights’ of law, and that is how, the name of the film is in sync with the plot i.e. to frame new laws. Social evils viz. drug addicts, sex maniacs etc. are shown through different characters, who can do much damage to the society. The story builds up gradually, but keeps the audience glued on to the screen. Even though, no suspense is revealed in the first half, the screenplay certainly generates curiosity in audience. In comparison to Drishyam, it has fewer lighter moments, but it is indeed a crime thriller, which would make you watch the same with bated breath.

The film begins with the narration of Chintha (Baby Ananya), who introduces her parents Vasuki Iyer (Nayantara) and Louis Pothen (Mammootty). Vasuki is shown with a sling on her left hand. Chnitha says that her mother has changed, and she often gets embarrassed by her strange behaviour. Vasuki is a Kathakali dancer, who has changed offlate from a fun loving cool person to an absent-minded, gloomy and brooding person. Vasuki causes embarrassment to  Chintha when she blasts the caretaker of her school bus, when he tries to help Chintha ride the bus. Vasuki even forces Louis to buy a new car just to pick up and drop Chintha to school. Chintha keeps on asking Louis in regard to why and how her mother changed.

Nayantara as Vasuki (Image Courtesy: Official Facebook Page of the Film)

 Chintha introduces Louis to the audience, according to her, he is a cool celebrity and just opposite to Vasuki. He is a TV anchor as a film critic, and also an advocate, who is specialized in divorces. He is shown as a very light-hearted person, who has good sense of humour.

Louis and Vasuki had an inter-caste marriage which resulted in their families shunning them. Louis is also conscious of the change which has happened in Vasuki’s behaviour, but he tries to keep her in good humour. Vasuki is very particular about things.

Mammootty (Louis) with Baby Ananya (Chintha): Image Courtesy - Official Facebook Page of the Film

The first half is used to build the story in a gradual manner. Other characters are introduced in a very natural manner be it the entry of DCP Jeena (Sheelu Abraham) or Kani (Rachana Narayanankutty). DCP Jeena is supposed to be very particular to bring law and order in the city and also be in favour of people in need. Kani is also a news anchor, who lived in the same complex as that of Vasuki and Louis. Kani at times openly flirts with Louis. Sadiq is shown as a teacher, who is being awarded for his good teachings to the students, but is he able to give the same upbringing to his child? Role of SN Swamy is pivotal to the plot, let me not reveal it.

Louis is shown to be a divorce lawyer, who, on the contrary, believes in marriage. He tries to convince his clients to save their marriage through his logics, blunt questions and at times even through counseling. He does not take up cases just for the sake of money. He is constantly shown to be dealing with various clients which again and again reiterate his thoughts about marriage. Aju Varghese makes an interesting entry as Romanch, who is also seeking divorce.

The second half of the film unfolds the reasons behind why Vasuki changed. What actually happened which changed her life forever? What sort of heinous crime happened? How does she respond to the happenings? Is she able to grow beyond the current situations and able to overcome her own moods? How does Louis become part of her journey? Is Vasuki able to gain herself back? What is DCP Jeena’s take on Vasuki? How various events unfold? How justice is sought ?

The film will definitely leave you with pain in your heart for the kind of social evils happening in and around us. Nayantara is in terrific form. She looks very beautiful. She has done complete justice to the grief-stricken Vasuki. Mammootty’s performance as Louis is also very good. He keeps the suspense element alive till the last moment. Baby Ananya is also good. Rest of the cast has also done justice to their respective characters.  

The background score of the film by Gopi Sunder is absolutely perfect as per the tone of the film. The backdrop of Vasuki being a Kathakali dancer also goes well with the plot. Probably the first half could have been a bit more fast.        

Puthiya Niyamam (പുതിയ നിയമം) is a must-watch film, talks about the social evils of our society, and how social evils can turn somebody’s life completely topsy turvy. Watch it for the way the story is dealt and also for terrific performances of Nayantara and Mammootty.

Rating : 4 / 5 (Very Good)

  

Challenge the Perception

Me in a training session

This is one of the winning post for #IAmCapable at BlogAdda in association with Nihar Naturals : http://blog.blogadda.com/2016/04/02/winner-announcement-i-am-capable-breaking-stereotypes

Thank u BlogAdda !!!

We as human beings form opinions about others in probably 30 seconds of meeting them. And researchers say that these opinions or as we call it, first impressions are formed basically on the appearance. But the point which I want to talk here is that we should judge our own judgments about an individual. Just forming opinions, without any communication, simply on the basis of physical appearance, looks, or even the dressing sense other than ours can be disastrous and wrong at times. Having said this, I agree that, we shall definitely take care of our personal grooming. How we carry ourselves is very important. What we wear, how we wear, and our appearance everything is very important. It is indeed great to be updated about the fashion trends, but one must choose the attire as per one’s comfort and also on the basis of what suits.

Being a woman, it has happened many times during different phases of life that I have been judged on the basis of my looks, appearance and my attire. One such incident I remember which happened a decade back i.e. in 2006. It was in 2003 that I started my entrepreneurial journey as a corporate trainer. Being a Keralite, I was always fond of sarees. So, whenever I went for a training programme, sarees became my formal attire. And I must admit that wearing sarees enhanced my confidence. So, it was like any other day of a training programme. I had to speak on personal and professional excellence in an IT-enabled service organization. I chose one of my good bright cotton saree. As always, when I looked into the mirror, I felt confident in saree and got all set to conduct the session.

It was my first association with this organization. I reached 45 minutes prior to the programme and after reaching the training hall at the client site, I ensured to fix my laptop, projector etc. And slowly participants started coming. This organization had a casual attire culture and being a Friday specially, young professionals were dressed up in more casual bright colours. Being fond of colours, I was thoroughly enjoying young bright energy around me. Slowly the training hall was occupied with participants. Out of 25 participants, 20 of them were boys.

When I started the training programme, I got very lukewarm response from the participants, which was absolutely contrary to my anticipation. My gut feeling was that these young professionals would be actively participating, but in spite of introducing the topic in a broader perspective and to my satisfaction, energy was missing in the room. Although I was unable to figure out the reason, I thought to challenge myself and went ahead with the training programme. I learnt their name at one go during this introductory ice-breaker, which definitely did magic and the connect between us started happening. Slowly I saw the participants opening up.  I took the advantage of the new environment setting in, I shared with them a shayari:

    

नजर बदलो, नज़ारे बदल जायेंगे,

सोच बदलो, सितारे बदल जायेंगे,

कश्तियाँ बदलने की जरूरत नहीं,

दिशा बदलो, किनारे खुद-ब-खुद बदल जायेंगे I

This shayari earned me a big applause. Slowly, the session became more and more interactive. Free flow of conversations happened. They had lots of queries on success, excellence, balancing personal and professional lives etc. These questions made the session very interesting. The whole learning session became a great experience with lot of fun and activities. To my surprise, even the lunch table turned out to be interactive.

Now it was time for the verbal feedback at the end of 6-hours session. To explore what made them give me such a lukewarm response in the beginning, I asked them to give me response and feedback for the following three questions:

1.    What was their thought when they came for the training programme.

2.    And now, at the end of the day, what was their thought pattern?

3.    One learning which touched their heart.

Almost 15 boys and 2 girls shared honestly that they had come to the training expecting the facilitator to be dressed in western attire. Though they liked me in saree, their perception was that my training programme also would be conventional one. They confessed that their perception was absolutely wrong. They were amazed at the unconventional mode of conducting training with audio-visual slides, stories, activities, jokes, shayari. Most of them said that the very shayari, which I have mentioned above, touched their hearts.

I was really overwhelmed with their feedback. I was also very satisfied.

This incident was one typical experience of mine, where I was judged on the basis of attire. I was in traditional attire in an organization where the culture was different. I still continue to wear sarees for my training programmes, though I do take care of the fact that if I have to go to such organizations, where the culture is informal, I do try to fit myself into my comfortable formal western attire too. It is not a matter that which is the right approach, but the point which I want to highlight is that do we judge others specially women on the basis of what they wear.

One thing I do feel that it is not only men judging women on the basis of what women choose to wear, but at times, even women judge other women.

The research and survey done says that women get judged based on what look like, more than on what they do. Women don’t just have to worry about looking presentable, but also to worry about how they will be perceived. Every outfit carries a subtle message for people who pass judgments, and women are forced to adhere to the image that their appearance creates. Not just experience, but even statistics say the same. Please take a look at some of the startling figures that the Nihar Naturals #IAmCapable survey conducted by Nielsen India reveals:

a.   69% of men agree that their judgment of women is based on their looks.

b.   64% of women agree that the judgments passed on them have affected their ability to reach their true potential.

c.    70% of women agree that majority of judgments on women are from family members or friends rather than strangers.

d.   72% of women agree that working women face more judgments on their looks or their clothes than housewives.

Image Courtesy: from BlogAdda page 

I agree with this fact that one needs to look presentable and dignified. At the same time, one also needs to be careful about forming opinions about others. I also want to convey a message to us, the women fraternity, that we need to be sure and confident of ourselves and challenge the wrong perception and judgments of others. Let our performance and work speak against these unjust criticisms / false judgments and let us try to outperform ourselves. It is time for us women to excel beyond one’s own expectations and be an optimum performer in various spheres of lives rather than succumbing to these judgments.

Please watch this video (courtesy: NIhar Naturals)

I am breaking stereotypes based on appearance by sharing your experience for the #IAmCapable activity at BlogAdda in association with Nihar Naturals.

The Smart Truck in the Smart Era

Image Courtesy: www.mahindratruckandbus.com/about-us.html

Truck is a major means of transport. Every day, trucks carry goods from one part of our country to another, giving us conveniences. When the whole world these days has grown to be smart in every field, be it in terms of communication, telecom, infrastructure support, factories, manufacturing, logistics, how can trucks be behind. And even the need to preserve our environment, to keep it safe, we need smart trucks.

When I sat back to write this post on smart truck, I remembered my plight when I was relocating to Delhi from Jamshedpur. The household goods were packed well and loaded into the container a week before our travel to Delhi. We were assured that the goods would reach Delhi by the time we reach there. But to our dismay, the truck with goods did not reach even after our arrival in the city. On enquiring with the logistic company, which was taking care of this, we came to understand that the truck had very unexpected and unlikely breakdown. The authorities were not able to tell us that how much time, it would further take for the vehicle to be repaired. They were also trying to do an alternate arrangement for offloading the goods into another vehicle and send to us. But either of the process could have taken minimum 7-8 days. Relocating to a new city and not knowing anyone made this delay a bit painful. Managing to be in the new place and settling for the initial few days without having the basic necessary goods made the days a bit tough. Took a sigh of relief on receiving the goods after a week’s time. This could have very well been avoided if the breakdown of the truck could have been taken care off.

Recently, when I got an opportunity to be part of the launch of Mahindra’s Smart Truck BLAZO during recently concluded Auto Expo 2016, the statement from the authorities regarding the service guarantee seemed so much of value proposition: “Get back on road in 48 hours, or get Rs. 1000/- a day”. This statement really shows the confidence of the brand Mahindra and it indeed is a great service promise. Mahindra says that in the unlikely event of a breakdown, they claim to get the truck working in 48 hours or they will pay Rs. 1000 per day till the truck is back on road. On being asked Mr. Nalin Mehta (MD & CEO, M & M Trucks & Bus Division) that why a brand like Mahindra need to give such a strong service guarantee, he said that it marks how confident they are as a brand and they promise to deliver these guarantees to their customers.

I feel, this service guarantee is a great commitment from the brand to its consumers. We can feel safe that our goods will be taken care off and also we can be sure that delivery commitment made by the logistics company can be fulfilled with the support of the truck manufacturers. Since trucks ply on roads for longer durations, such service guarantees come as bliss and that is what Mahindra has come forward with the recently launched BLAZO range, India’s first Smart Truck. These smart trucks are supposed to have lesser breakdowns and in case of unlikely breakdowns, the brand promises service guarantee at the breakdown point.

Now the question arises, how these smart trucks are going to be different from the regular trucks which we see on road (Information courtesy: www.mahindratruckandbus.com  and a few of these details are also mentioned in my post “Mahindra BLAZO: India’s First Smart truck” - http://moviereviewsbybinduc.blogspot.in/2016/02/mahindra-blazo-indias-first-smart-truck.html).

Smart look: Ah! This is so important. Gone are the days, when we would see the regular conventional looking trucks on road. Mahindra’s smart trucks are designed in bright colours which are indeed giving the trucks very smart look.

Ergonomics: This is such an important factor from the perspectives of the drivers. Often, truck drivers need to go for long-distance travels, and so, driving comfort becomes a major parameter. Mahindra’s smart truck does assure of more safety and more comforts. The 4-point suspended cabin truly enhances driving comfort. The controls are ergonomically located to reduce effort within the cabin. 4-vent AC system along with factory-fitted fans ensures cool comfort at all times. The tilt and telescopic steering allows drivers to adjust the steering to the drivers’ convenience.

Avoid accidents: A Wide windshield and large rear view mirrors provide greater visibility to the drivers. Indeed, Mahindra’s smart trucks have this feature. The anti-lock braking systems ensure greater braking control even at higher speeds.

Timely Maintenance: Being a heavy duty vehicle, the trucks do demand maintenance as well. How good it would be if the drivers get the critical information in real time and that is what Mahindra’s smart truck promises through its Driver-Information System (DIS), which would give critical information to the driver in real time. Apart from the engine RPM, temperature, speed and fuel levels, it has tyre pressure, trip kilometer, diesel consumption per kilometer, battery voltage, service reminders and other important details.

Better Mileage: Mostly trucks carry goods for long distance, and it plies on all types of roads. It at times runs with full load and at times without any load. FuelSmart switches of Mahindra’s smart truck is automotive technology at its best. The FuelSmart switches lets you choose between superior mileage and unmatched power as and when your business demands. Turn on the ‘Heavy /mode’ when carrying full loads. Use the ‘Turbo Mode’ when transporting big loads over steep inclines. Or simply switch on the ‘Light Mode’ when running without load. Each mode squeezes the maximum efficiency from the mPower Fuel smart engine and gives you unbeatable mileage.

Better Turnaround Times: Mahindra BLAZO is a smart truck built for safe, fatigue-free driving which means fewer stoppages by drivers, more distance covered in less time and improved turnaround times.  

I am sure these smart trucks are going to evolve further during the coming years to give more conveniences to its users as well as consumers.

I am writing this blog post for the MTBD#SmartTrucking activity at BlogAdda.

Mahindra’s recently launched Smart truck and an engineering marvel BLAZO appears to be in sync with their punchline for this range: The Smart Truck with a Solid Guarantee.