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Yes, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, Netflix's latest release, is based on a true story. It is based on the actual takeover of Indian Airlines flight IC 814. Released on August 29, 2024, the series is directed by Anubhav Sinha and adapted from the book Flight into Fear: A Captain's Story by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.
The horrific experience of passengers on Indian Airlines flight IC 814 on December 24, 1999, is told in six episodes. The ensemble cast displays strong performances, giving the story complexity. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack centers on the 180 passengers and crew on the flight.
The show opens with the flight's regular takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, India. However, their path darkens when five armed terrorists seize the plane in mid-air. After several rerouting, the aircraft lands in Taliban-owned Kandahar, Afghanistan, where the passengers spend seven days under uncertainty and anxiety. The show examines the tense negotiations and frantic attempts to release the hostages.
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Netflix's IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is based on a true story
The December 24, 1999, hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 forms the basis of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. This historical event rocked India and the world, resulting in a diplomatic crisis involving several nations with great stakes. The actual event was among the worst aviation tragedies India had.
Five Pakistani terrorists from Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) grabbed control of the aircraft, kidnapping 180 people, including the crew. The hijackers wanted the release of 36 Indian terrorists and $200 million. Before touching down in Kandahar, the jet stopped in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai.
The real story behind the hijacking
IC 814 was taken over 40 minutes after the aircraft left Kathmandu. Armed and disguised, the terrorists swiftly overwhelmed the crew and veered the plane toward Lahore.
Pakistan's initial denial to let the plane land caused the flight to divert to Amritsar, where the Indian government tried to postpone the aircraft to bring in National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. Sadly, the delay increased the hijackers' mistrust, making the pilot take off again and finally land in Lahore for refueling.
The aircraft headed to Dubai after refueling, releasing 27 passengers. The last stop was Taliban-held Kandahar, Afghanistan. Driven by international acceptance, the Taliban government mediated between the hijackers and the Indian government, finally releasing three well-known terrorists in return for the hostages.
Among the published was Maulana Masood Azhar, who subsequently founded the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed in charge of multiple fatal strikes in India.
Plot summary and cast
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack emphasizes the psychological and physical suffering hostages suffer. It captures the events of the hijacking, the hijackers' calculated movements, and the active behind-the-scenes diplomatic negotiations.
The show highlights the challenges the Indian government faces and the degree to which they had to go to ensure passenger release, exploring the geopolitical complexity of the situation.
Also read: Scariest episodes of Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix, ranked
The series boasts a stellar cast, with Vijay Varma playing Captain Sharan Dev, the brave pilot who managed the hijacked aircraft under extreme pressure. Pankaj Kapur portrays Vijaybhan Singh, the Minister of External Affairs, while Naseeruddin Shah takes on the role of Vinay Kaul, the head of India's Crisis Management Group.
Other notable performances include Arvind Swamy as the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Kumud Mishra as the Joint Secretary of RAW, and Manoj Pahwa as a director at the Intelligence Bureau.
Critical reception and impact
The release of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has sparked debates on the incident and its influence on India's counterterrorism strategy. Many have hailed the show for its compelling story and strong performances; many also consider it a required retelling of a significant chapter in Indian history.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a vivid narrative of a real and horrific incident in Indian aviation history rather than only a sequence. The series offers a complete examination of the hijacking, the political and diplomatic crises that followed, and the final resolution that had long-lasting effects on India's counterterrorism policies.
Anyone interested in learning more about this significant event in history should check Netflix's IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for its cast, thorough narrative, and real-life connections.
