Neera Arya (5 March 1902 – 26 July 1998) was born into a prosperous Arya Samaj family in Khekra Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, and educated in Kolkata. Driven by unwavering patriotism, she joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA).
When her husband, a British CID officer, attempted to assassinate Netaji - atally wounding his driver - Neera intervened and killed him, saving Bose’s life.
The British imprisoned her in the Andaman Cellular Jail, where she endured brutal torture yet refused to betray INA secrets. Her defiance earned a reputation, and Bose honored her as the INA’s first female spy - “Neera-Nagini.”
After independence, she lived in obscurity, selling flowers near Charminar in Hyderabad and passing away in 1998 at Osmania Hospital.
Now, Kannada filmmaker Roopa Iyer brings Neera’s legacy to the screen, retracing her bravery and sacrifice for a new generation.
