Everyone - both the industry and audience - is smitten by the trailer of 'Neerja'. The film which is a biopic and based on true events, promises to be a heart-wrenching content. And hence all are eager to watch the power-packed story to be retold on big scree. However, making the film 'Neerja' has not been a cakewalk. Besides strong research, what was tough was that how director Ram Madhvani was brought on board. Ace Photographer Atul Kasbekar who turned producer with film 'Neerja' recalls how he had to convince Ram Madhvani to direct the Sonam Kapoor starrer.

Atul and Ram`s friendship goes long back to 20 years from now, as they both had started their work in the same period and had also worked on a TVC together. Atul has always been praising Ram`s work and believed that there is a deep emotional quotient in film 'Neeraj', that only Ram Madhwani would had been be able to capture, as apart from being a thriller it`s a deep and special mother daughter relationship.

Though Ram Madhvani had been offered lot of films in past to direct but for whatever reason chose to not take them up. It is said that Atul had planned for a short 10 minute meeting - over the gist of the film but the meeting extended for a few hours. By the end of the fifth coffee Ram was convinced about 'Neerja'. All the boxes that he had seemed to be ticked in favour of the project taking off.

Shared Atul, “We just wanted a different kind of energy at the helm of Neerja. An energy and thought process that was unique, without compromise and achingly honest. Ram is all that and more. Together we formed a great combination. I got him everything he needed and created a cocoon around him to protect his vision. He in turn was open to any and every suggestion without ego safe in the knowledge that the final call was his."