The film begins with Neerja Bhanot, portrayed by Sonam Kapoor, a vibrant 22-year-old who arrives fashionably late to a house party. During the evening, her mother, played by Shabana Azmi, expresses concern about Neerja's career as a flight attendant, suggesting that she might want to return to her former modeling job. However, Neerja passionately embraces her role as a flight attendant, cherishing the excitement and responsibility it brings. She is driven to the airport by her caring boyfriend, Jaideep, portrayed by Shekhar Ravjiani, who is well-liked by her colleagues and surprises her with an advance birthday gift.
As Neerja prepares for her flight, she reflects on her brief and troubled arranged marriage to Naresh (Kavi Shastri), who worked in Doha, Qatar. His abusive nature and unreasonable demands regarding dowry marred their relationship, leading Neerja to leave and pursue her dreams, ultimately landing a prestigious job with Pan Am Airways. The strained marriage culminates in a humiliating letter from Naresh, leaving her feeling liberated yet more determined than ever to find her independence and success.
Upon boarding Pan Am 73, Neerja faces a harrowing situation when a terrorist group hijacks the plane shortly after it departs from Mumbai and lands in Karachi. Disguised as security officers, the terrorists swiftly reveal their true intentions, jeopardizing the lives of everyone on board. Neerja actively takes charge, alerting the cockpit, allowing the three American pilots to escape, which sets the scene for a tense standoff.
As chaos unfolds, a tragic incident occurs when an Indian American passenger inadvertently reveals his identity, resulting in his brutal execution by the terrorists. Neerja bravely manages to protect her fellow passengers by cleverly hiding American passports and gives critical signals to prevent further bloodshed. The terrorists, frustrated after failing to find Americans, switch their attention to a British citizen, escalating the stakes as their demands grow more desperate and erratic.
In a cruel twist of fate, the situation worsens as the plane loses auxiliary power, plunging passengers into darkness. Here, Neerja exemplifies incredible courage as she opens the rear door, using the emergency chute to help evacuate passengers, prioritizing their safety over her own. Tragically, in a final act of heroism, she shields young children from the gunfire, sacrificing her life in the process.
The film poignantly concludes with a dedication to Neerja, who posthumously received the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military bravery award, celebrating her valor and selflessness in the face of unimaginable danger.
