Human spirit and compassion rewarded: Sonam on Neerja

Actress Sonam Kapoor, who has been named for the National Film Award Special Mention for ‘Neerja’, says the honour is an encouragement for her to do more content-driven movies. "It feels amazing. I honestly did not expect it," said Sonam when asked about how she feels on getting the honour.

Asked if a National Award will open more doors for content-driven films for her, Sonam said: "I think I have been doing content-driven films for a couple of years right now, but obviously it (National Award) is an encouragement to doing more of them."

The 31-year-old actress, who will receive the award in the capital on Wednesday, said it is very important for her. "It is such a a huge validation for doing a film like 'Neerja', but at the same time it was more important to make a film like 'Neerja' which spoke about human spirit and compassion.

A film like 'Neerja' winning an award says that human spirit and human compassion and kindness at the end of the day should be our purpose," she said. Sonam will be accompanied by her father and actor Anil Kapoor and mother Sunita for the event.

"My parents are coming with me. I think they are very excited. I am happier for them and for Ram (director Ram Madhvani) because I think Ram really wanted me to win the award and I think my parents are very proud," she added.

‘Neerja’ is a biographical thriller whose plot centers on the hijacking of a Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan, on September 1986. It tells the heroic tale of Neerja Bhanot, an air hostess, who lost her life while saving others.