Why Nikkhil Advani Feels That it is a 'Tremendous Time For Indian Cinema'

Mumbai: Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani said that films like Neerja and Aligarh are taking Indian cinema in the right direction.

Nikkhil tweeted:

Tremendous times for Indian Cinema! #Neerja tomm #Aligarh on 26th. Kudos to both studios for backing tough content. @ErosNow@foxstarhindi

— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) February 18, 2016

#Aligarh, mesmerizing in its simplicity, beautifully tragic in its storytelling. Such an important film for India of today. @mehtahansal

— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) February 18, 2016

Ram Madhvani's Neerja, which casts Sonam Kapoor in the titular role, documents the story of Neerja Bhanot, who was killed in the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi. Ms Bhanot, who was 23, died while shielding a group of children from gunfire and became the youngest ever recipient of the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.(Also Read: Why Sonam Kapoor Hopes Pakistan Will 'Salute Neerja Again')

Meanwhile, Hansal Mehta's Aligarh, casts Manoj Bajpayee is based on the real life story of Professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), who was persecuted and ostracised for being gay. Manoj plays the protagonist and Rajkummar Rao plays a journalist who reveals his story to the world.

Neerja released on February 19 while Aligarh will release on February 26.