Braveheart’s family in legal tussle with Neerja producer

Bollywood movie Neerja was one of the biggest blockbusters of last year, fetching lead actor Sonam Kapoor numerous awards, including the National Award (Special Mention), for her portrayal of Neerja Bhanot, the brave young girl from Chandigarh who was mercilessly gunned down at the hands of terrorists in Pakistan in 1986.

Neerja, just 23 when she was killed while trying to save the lives of passengers onboard the PanAm flight that had been hijacked at Karachi airport. She was the youngest recipient of Ashok Chakra.

Over a year after Neerja was released to much commercial and critical acclaim, the producers of the movie – Bling Entertainment Solutions Ltd — are being accused of a breach of contract by the family of the braveheart. At the heart of the dispute is the alleged failure of the producers to share profits from the film. The Ram Madhvani-directed movie made it to the exclusive Rs 100-crore club on the back of a strong storyline.

Lawyers from both sides told DNA that matters have reached such a stage that there is a strong possibility of Neerja’s family moving an appropriate court – most likely the Punjab and Haryana High Court – for seeking action against producers.

Sources said …read more