With 'Neerja' Sonam Kapoor might find herself: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Mumbai: "Rang De Basanti" director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra on Saturday said that with the upcoming film, "Neerja", lead actress Sonam Kapoor might find herself.

"It feels that with this film, Sonam will find herself and that's the expectation. It is said that every artist, every actor or every writer, director achieves something where they find themselves. This one feels the same way for Sonam," said Mehra at a special screening of the film here.

Although Sonam had made her debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya", it was with the song "Masakali" in Mehra's film, "Dilli 6" that she gained popularity. She also featured in a brief role in his next film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", which was a big hit. Mehra said that he hoped "Neerja" earns her 10 times even more popularity than "Masakali".

Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar ventures into production with the film. "A new producer has been born. He is very sincere, very hardworking and has excelled in whatever he has done. Best wishes to him," Mehra said. 

Another debutante is the director of the film, Ram Madhvani, who has come from an advertising background like Mehra. "It is the birth of a new director, and when a new director comes and joins the family, it feels good. He is a very promising director, I share an old friendship with him, he is well-known in advertising where he has done extremely well."

The film is based on the 1986 sacrifice and heroic act of Neerja Bhanot, a flight attendant on the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73, which was hijacked by terrorists.

"Not just the Indians are proud of her but she is an example for the whole world, Neerja's story is that way. When we were growing up and in college, this incident had happened and it was an inspiring and a huge matter," he added.

"Neerja" also stars Shabana Azmi and Shekhar Ravjiani among others.