MUMBAI:  Captain Phillips, the movie that has taken the world by storm, has even caught the attention of the Indian Navy now. At a special request, Sony Pictures organised a special screening for the Indian naval officers, including the Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Shekhar Sinha in Mumbai on the official India release date of 18 October.

With very few movies being made on this very relevant and current subject, the theme of Captain Phillips seems to have found a connection with the officers as it deals with the hijack of a container ship and the kidnapping of its captain by Somali pirates. Captain Phillips is based on real life story of Captain Richard Phillips who was held captive by four Somali Pirates in 2009.

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks plays the role of Richard Phillips in the movie. The movie which was recognised as one of the best movies of 2013 by Rolling Stone magazine is directed by Paul Greengrass.

Sony Pictures India MD Kercy Daruwala said, “An extensive local word-of-mouth programme for the film has built excitement for this film. We are confident that the film is a commercial entertainer as well as a critical success and are expecting great things for this film in In

Commander- in- Chief, Western Command - Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha commented on the film saying, “Captain Phillips is an amazing movie. The film is a realistic portrayal of a hostage situation. Captain Richard Phillips' character played by Tom Hanks is also very inspiring.”

Captain Phillips recounts the true-life ordeal of Richard Phillips, the captain of a US-flagged cargo ship, the MV Maersk Alabama, sailing with a 20-man crew and 17,000 metric tons of cargo that was bound for Kenya in April 2009 when it was abducted by Somali pirates. The movie is already being pronounced as Oscar-worthy (especially for Tom Hanks’ portrayal) and received a standing ovation at the New York Film Festival recently.