‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’: I&B Ministry summons Netflix content head over web series row

Netflix series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’, directed by Anubhav Sinha and based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by 5 Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorists, is facing significant backlash. Many social media users have accused the series of ‘whitewashing’ the events, using hashtags like #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood, and #IC814 to criticize the creators for allegedly altering the hijackers' names.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has now summoned Netflix's content head over the controversy surrounding the series. Sources indicate that the ministry is expected to demand an explanation for the use of names like ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’ for the terrorist hijackers in the series, as well as the portrayal of the terrorists.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the hijackers of IC 814 were identified as Ibrahim Athar from Bahawalpur, Shahid Akhtar Sayed from Karachi's Gulshan Iqbal, Sunny Ahmed Qazi from Karachi's Defence Area, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim from Akhtar Colony, Karachi, and Shakir from Sukkur city.

The MEA further states, ‘...to the passengers, these hijackers came to be known respectively as (1) Chief, (2) Doctor, (3) Burger, (4) Bhola, and (5) Shankar, the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another.’

Amid the ongoing criticism of the series, casting director Mukesh Chhabra defended the portrayal, stating that the terrorists used these nicknames for each other and that thorough research was conducted for the show.

‘I've seen so many tweets about the hijackers' names. We did proper research. These were the names they used—nicknames or fake names, however you want to call them. And thank you, everyone, for appreciating the ensemble cast,’ he wrote on X.

The series aligns with investigation reports and the book ‘Flight into Fear: The Captain’s Story’ by Srinjoy Chowdhury and Devi Sharan, the flight’s captain.

However, some media outlets criticized the naming of the hijackers as insensitive and a misrepresentation of the truth.

As the controversy continues to escalate, with heated debates from both sides of the political spectrum, all eyes are on the government's next move after its meeting with the Netflix head. Whether it will result in a mere reprimand, a complete ban, or simply moving on, will be revealed on September 4 following the reported discussion.

The series stars Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah and Arvind Swamy in pivotal roles.

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