The plot is based on a real-life event: the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan by Libyan-backed Abu Nidal Organization on 5 September 1986. The film features Sonam Kapoor as the title character with Shekhar Ravjiani, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku, Kavi Shastri and Jim Sarbh in supporting roles. It was produced by Atul Kasbekar's company, Bling Unplugged, alongside Fox Star Studios. The civil aviation ministry conferred an honour on her posthumously in 2010 in New Delhi on the occasion of the launch of the celebrations of the centenary of Indian aviation.Neerja is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical thriller film directed by Ram Madhvani and written by Saiwyn Quadras and Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh. A square called Neerja Bhanot Chowk is named after her in Mumbai's Ghatkopar (East), which was inaugurated by Amitabh Bachchan. In 2004, India Post released a postage stamp commemorating her. Neerja was recognized internationally as "the heroine of the hijack" and is the youngest recipient of the Ashok Chakra She was also awarded by Pakistan and US. Acting quickly, she gave her own life while shielding three unaccompanied American children from a hail of bullets.
After 17 hours, the hijackers opened fire and set off explosives. She hid the passports of the American passengers as the hijackers had made it obvious that they wanted to execute Americans. She comforted the passengers, especially the elderly and small children. Yet, after the initial fear-filled minutes of the unknown, Neerja was a picture of calm, confident leadership. Setting aside all concern for her personal safety, Neerja identified herself to the terrorists as the crew member in-charge. The pilot and the flight crew fled from the cockpit. Neerja was the senior flight purser on a Pan Am flight that was hijacked at Karachi airport by four heavily armed hijackers. The book has a number of photographs of Neerja. Harjinder Kaur said that she hoped the book inspires the youth of the country to have a principled approach to life, stand up against any sort of injustice and overcome their fears - the qualities which were inherent in Neerja. One chapter is basically an article written by my father, Harish Bhanot in 1986." The book was launched by Harjinder Kaur, councillor and former mayor, municipal corporation, at a function held in Sector 7, Chandigarh. Aneesh Bhanot said, "This book is a tribute to my younger sister - Neerja - who showed the world the true meaning of courage, commitment and compassion.
Wendy, who was her trainer at Pan Am and gave her anti-hijack training, Dharmendra Shah, who was a passenger on the plane and survived the hijack, Akhil Bhanot, Neerja's brother, Atul Kasbekar, who has produced the film "Neerja", which is set to release this week, have all written a chapter each. Six of her school and college mates - Vrinda, Sunita, Eli, Naomi, Jabeen and Shantala - have written a chapter each. All 11 chapters in the book are related to big and small incidents and delightful experiences they had with Neerja. Conceptualized and compiled by her brother Aneesh Bhanot, the book has 11 chapters, each written by different people from Neerja's life. CHANDIGARH: "The Neerja I Knew', a coffee-table book in the memory of Chandigarh girl Neerja Bhanot, who was a senior flight purser on a flight that was hijacked at Karachi airport by four heavily armed hijackers, was released on Wednesday in the city.