Sonam Kapoor with Anish and Akhil Bhanot and Farooq Abdullah at the event. Pic/Poonam Bathija

Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; November 21, 2016)

In her last screen outing, Neerja, Sonam Kapoor brought to life the late hero, who died saving hundreds of lives during a Pan Am hijack in 1986. So, when a special award was to be posthumously bestowed on the braveheart last night, Neerja Bhanot's family decided to have the actress collect the honour on her behalf.

Sonam walked to the dais along with Neerja's brothers, Anish and Akhil, to accept the award from former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah at the Mother Teresa Memorial International Awards for Social Justice 2016.

A source close to Sonam said, "The foundation was keen to have her accept the award on Neerja's behalf. She is close to the Bhanots too. So, she decided to attend the ceremony with Neerja's brothers."

Sonam was also guest of honour at the event and participated in a discussion on "Combating terror through education".

Post event, Sonam told hitlist, "The award is special for so many reasons. I was happy to join the Bhanot family and receive the award on behalf of the braveheart whose courage has set an example for everyone who wants to make a difference."