The recent release of Netflix’s web series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has ignited a heated debate across India, centering on its portrayal of the hijackers involved in the infamous 1999 hijacking of an Indian passenger plane. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the six-episode series revisits the harrowing events of December 24, 1999, when Indian Airlines Flight 814, traveling from Kathmandu to Delhi, was seized by five militants and taken to Taliban-ruled Kandahar.
Controversy Surrounding Netflix’s “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack”
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The hijacking lasted eight days, during which the lives of 179 passengers and crew were put at grave risk. The Indian government ultimately negotiated a controversial deal, releasing three militants, including the notorious Masood Azhar, in exchange for the hostages. Azhar would later found the Jaish-e-Mohammad group, which has been implicated in several terrorist attacks in India and designated a terrorist by the United Nations.
The series is based on “Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story,” a book by Devi Sharan, the plane’s captain, and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury. It not only dramatizes the hijacking but also highlights the tense negotiations between the hijackers and Indian authorities.
The uproar primarily stems from the filmmakers’ decision to depict the hijackers using common Hindu names such as “Bhola Shankar,” which has led to accusations of distorting historical facts. Critics, including BJP leader Amit Malviya, argue that this portrayal risks misleading viewers into thinking that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking.
A right-wing Hindu organization has even filed a legal case seeking to ban the series, claiming it misrepresents crucial details of the incident. Social media has become a battleground, with many expressing outrage at the filmmakers for what they see as an affront to communal sensitivity.
In response to the backlash, Netflix reportedly had a meeting with India’s federal government and updated the show’s disclaimer. The new disclaimer clarifies the use of the hijackers’ aliases and states that these names were utilized during the hijacking for communication.
ic 814 free streaming on Netflix
Supporters of the series have come to its defense, pointing to official accounts from the time that confirm the use of aliases by the hijackers. A statement from India’s home ministry in 2000 noted that the hijackers had indeed referred to one another using names like “Chief,” “Doctor,” and “Burger,” which aligns with the portrayals in the series. Survivors of the hijacking, including Kollattu Ravikumar, have corroborated these details, recalling the names the hijackers used during their captivity.
Netflix’s updated disclaimer now includes both the real and code names of the hijackers, an effort to clarify the narrative for viewers unfamiliar with the historical context.
This incident isn’t isolated; it reflects a growing trend of scrutiny that international streaming platforms face in India. In recent years, Netflix and other platforms have navigated similar controversies, often leading to content removals or public apologies in response to perceived offenses against cultural or religious sentiments.
As “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” continues to be viewed and discussed, it highlights the challenges of balancing artistic expression with cultural sensitivities in a diverse country like India. The debate underscores how historical events, especially those tied to national security and communal identity, can evoke strong emotions and lead to calls for accountability in representation.
In the end, while the series aims to shed light on a significant event in India’s history, its portrayal has sparked a conversation about how stories are told and who gets to tell them, reminding us that history is often as complex as the narratives we choose to depict.
