
Sonam Kapoor's upcoming Bollywood film Neerja, is a biopic on Neerja Bhanot, the brave-hearted air-hostess on the ill-fated 1986 Pan AM flight, who died saving three children from bullets fired by terrorists who had hijacked the flight. The trailer has already made the actor win praises for her performance in the film. However, the character in itself is quite different from what Sonam is known to play on screen.
As the actor gears up for the release of Neerja, Catch got hold of some never-seen-before photos of the Pan Am hero -- Neerja Bhanot. The braveheart had done several product advertisements before she went on to become an air-hostess.
Bhanot, who's also the youngest recipient of India's top bravery honour -- Ashoka Chakra, had worked for brands like Vico turmeric cream, Benzer sarees, Binaca toothpaste, Godrej Besto detergent and Vaporex, to name a few.
Also read: 7 facts you need to know about Pan Am hero Neerja Bhanot, ahead of the film
Check them out here:

Photo: Catch News

Photo: Catch News

Photo: Catch News

Photo: Catch News
The team of Neerja, including the director and the actors, have time and again been explaining that the film is more than just the story of Neerja Bhanot. It also shows a mother-daughter relationship and portrays a woman who got married at the age of 21 but came out stronger despite a failed relationship.
As he talked to Catch about why he decided to cast Sonam as Neerja, director Ram Madhvani said:
"Sonam has an external resemblance with Neerja, but I didn't choose her for that. I chose her because I knew this was an actress who could play an interior kind of role and an external kind of role. I have seen Sonam Kapoor's range as an actor. She has been playing a range of characters from Delhi 6 to Khoobsurat to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo."
Also featuring Shabana Azmi and Shekhar Ravijani, Neerja is releasing on 19 February.
Also read: Recreating history not easy, Neerja was a challenging role, Sonam Kapoor reveals