Ram Madhavani dedicates National Award win to Bhanot family

"Neerja" today won the best Hindi film National Award and its director Ram Madhavani has dedicated the honour to Neerja Bhanot's family.

Starring Sonam Kapoor in the lead role, the movie is based on 22-year-old air-hostess Neerja, who thwarted the hijack attempt and was later killed by the terrorists while helping to save over 350 passengers and crew on board.

The filmmaker, who made his directorial debut with the biopic, thanked the Bhanot family and said they deserved the award more than anyone else.

"I did not anticipate the National Award for 'Neerja'. I was happily surprised. I am thankful to the Bhanot family.

This award goes to them, they deserve it," Madhavani told

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