Renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar states that Sonam Kapoor was the first name that cropped up when the cast of ‘Neerja’ was being discussed. The photographer’s maiden production venture has earned rave reviews and appreciation from critics and audience alike.
Kasbekar said, “Whenever people asked me why we had decided to cast Sonam in the film, I just told them to wait for the film to release.” Delivering her career’s best performance, Sonam has made critics get up and take note of her talent. “Sonam was our first and only choice. She heard the script the first time and immediately said yes to the project,” reveals producer in a chat with IBNLive.com. “We never thought that if Sonam doesn’t do the film, who would be our second choice. That thought never came across our mind.”
Kasbekar revealed that the film’s writer Saiwyn Quadras approached co-producer Shanti Sivaraman Maini with the script and then things started rolling. The first time producer is overwhelmed by the response that the film has received. “It is very gratifying to see that people have started talking about it. There is a lot discussion about that incident and that has started only because of the film,” said Kasbekar and added, “I think my happiest moment was when my son, who is 19 years old, saw the rough cut of the film and asked me if he could bring his friends to watch the final film. I mean, kids of that age don’t find their fathers or their work too cool but here were a bunch of teenagers sitting and watching ‘Neerja’ and wiping tears in the end.”
The film also got a thumbs up from directors and actors of the film industry. “Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra came for the screening of the film and he told me that the film was an important film. We may not realize it now, but beyond its Box Office collection, the film will remain in the memory of most people and be discussed later.”
Neerja Bhanot, on who the film is based, was killed by terrorist on a hijacked flight in Karachi in 1986. Bhanot family had been approached by other people to acquire the rights of the film but they never allowed. So how did Kasbekar convince them, I asked. “I don’t know why they agreed. Maybe because I am good looking,” the photographer laughed and added, “But I assured them that we would make a good film. You seee, when you make a film based on a real life incident, our first responsibility is towards those who have given us the permission to make it. We need to be honest to them.”
Does that mean that the allegations that fellow Pan Am flight attendants have made about the film being a work of fiction is a false one? “The film is called ‘Neerja’, it is about Neerja Bhanot and her story. The film is also a story of a mother and daughter. It is about a person who was awarded bravery awards by three different countries. There has to be reason why she was given these awards,” Kasbekar said tactfully. “There is nothing fictionalized in the movie.”
Kasbekar and the film’s director Ram Madhvani will be collaborating together for another film soon. “The cast has not been decided. It is still on the scripting stage and it is a comedy. Ram and me belong to the same school of thought and we are comfortable working together,” said the photographer before signing off.
Comments
0 comment