Neerja makes a fan out of another braveheart, Malala Yousafzai

Sonam Kapoor, who plays Neerja in the film, shared a picture from a special screening of the film in London which was attended by Malala.

The biopic based on Neerja Bhanot, a brave Pan Am flight stewardess who saved 359 lives onboard a hijacked flight in 1986, is getting critical acclaim and box office success. To bolster it further, a nod of appreciation came the film’s way by yet another braveheart, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.

Sonam Kapoor’s Neerja was watched by Malala Yousufzai. (Instagram)

Read: Neerja review

Sonam Kapoor, who plays Neerja in the film, shared a picture from a special screening of the film in London which was attended by Malala. Coincidentally, the catchphrase of the biopic reads, “Fear which gave her courage”, while Malala’s famous saying is: “I am stronger than fear.”

Malala, a Pakistani teenager, had survived a brutal Taliban attack for advocating women’s right to education. She espouses the cause of education for all now.

Meanwhile, Neerja has made Rs 29.1 crore at the BO till Tuesday. With a strong word of mouth, the film has been successful in rolling cash at the ticket windows.

Read: Neerja’s father penned this heartbreaking piece post her death in 1986

The movie also stars actors like Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani and others in small but pivotal roles. Having released in 700 screens in India and made with a budget of Rs 21 crores, the film opened to 40% occupancy in the morning shows. Maharashtra recently made the film tax free.