Atul Kasbekar on the ‘Post’ That Made Everyone Question Neerja

Atul Kasbekar slams Nupoor Abrol’s accusation against the movie, Neerja.

Atul Kasbekar defends his film against an accusatory Facebook post. (Photo altered by The Quint)

Not many knew the story of the young braveheart Neerja Bhanot, until the makers of Neerja decided to tell it on celluloid. She sacrificed her life to save passengers on board the ill-fated Pan Am flight that got highjacked by terrorists in Karachi, back in 1986. Ever since the film was announced, everyone has been talking about Bhanot’s courage and bravery. But recently, Nupoor Abrol, another member of Bhanot’s Pan Am Flight 73 crew, commented via social media suggesting that the film gives Bhanot adulation that is not entirely deserved.

Neerja producer Atul Kasbekar in deep thought with director Ram Madhvani (Photo: Twitter/@atulkasbekar)

Yes, truly a very difficult moment. But also a difficult moment for all those flight attendants to accept the movie for what it is unfairly propagating. Neerja was a wonderful person and I think even her soul today would cringe at taking this undeserved adulation. Not fair to the FA’s who have in reality faced their ordeal! 

Nupoor Abrol, Former Flight Attendant

Abrol however admitted that she wasn’t the hero of the day herself, but that her other colleagues were just as brave as Neerja.

Oh no! I was incidental in that plot. It was Astrid, Sherene, Sunshine and off course Massey who were the real heroes of the day. I am glad today I can show my gratitude to them.

Nupoor Abrol

A snapshot of the conversation on social media where Nupoor Abrol made statements about Neerja Bhanot being given undeserved adulation 

Nupoor’s comments didn’t go down well with the film’s producer Atul Kasbekar. The ace photographer reacted to her accusation saying,

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I don’t think I need to give clearance to anyone who has to say something, the fact of the matter is that three countries in the world – America, Pakistan, and India – have given her a bravery award and I am sure they have stringent guidelines as to how bravery awards are given.

Atul Kasbekar, Film Producer and Photographer

The producer voiced his disagreement strongly saying that first hand accounts of passengers on board the flight on the day of the incident have confirmed Bhanot’s fearless acts of bravery too.

Rather than checking that one Facebook post, also check out the first-hand accounts of people who were on board the plane on the day of the incident. She (Nupoor Abrol) wasn’t a part of the flight crew, then what is she talking about?

Atul Kasbekar

The film opened to a heartening response from critics and the masses alike. Neerja has done great business at the box office.

Nupoor Abrol seems to have retracted her comments from social media. While no one knows for sure what really happened on that fateful day in Karachi, but one does know that a life was lost and many were valiantly saved.