Shabana Azmi photographed in Mumbai.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who will play the role of Neerja Bhanot's mother Rama in the upcoming biopic
Neerja, said that she gets along "really well" with the real life mother of the late purser.
Directed by debutant Ram Madhvani,
Neerja, which will feature Sonam Kapoor in the title role, will focus on the life of Neerja Bhanot, a PanAm purser who lost her life trying to save the lives of passengers from terrorists onboard the hijacked flight on September 5, 1986. She was 22.
"I had the good fortune of meeting Rama
ji in person last year when I was invited to Chandigarh to present the Neerja Bhanot Award. She is lovely and we got along really well. When I was offered the role, I felt it was because of a special connection we made," Ms Azmi said in a statement.
Ms Azmi also said that she is happy to work with Sonam. "She is the daughter of Anil (Kapoor) and Sunita (Kapoor) who have been very close friends for more than 30 years. I have watched her grow up and I have deep affection for her. Last but not the least, I look forward to work with Ram, who has been friend of many years and whose taste for cinema I share," the 64-year-old added.
The director said that he feels proud that the versatile actress said 'yes' to the film without thinking twice.
He said: "I have been an avid fan of Shabana from the beginning of her career. Our connect was immediate and deep because of the kind of cinema we both believe in. When people ask me, 'Who is acting in
Neerja', I am always proud to say, 'Shabana Azmi'. I'm privileged that she agreed to act in the film."
Presented by Fox Star Studios,
Neerja is produced by Bling Unplugged.