'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Netflix's new series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Sarita Patil and Sanjay Routray, premiered on August 29, 2024. The show, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, and Dia Mirza, recounts the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 by Pakistani terrorists. Despite praise for its script and performances, the series has sparked controversy over how the hijackers are depicted.
Netflix revises IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack credits after backlash on hijacker names
Trending
Netflix India has recently updated the opening disclaimer of its series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack after facing backlash over the depiction of the hijackers' names. The show is based on the real-life hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in 1999 by Pakistani terrorists.
The flight which was en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was taken over soon after entering Indian airspace which led to a seven-day ordeal that involved tense negotiations between the hijackers and the Indian government.
Despite praise for its strong performances IC814: The Kandahar Hijack quickly drew criticism over the names used for the hijackers. Instead of their real identities, the show used codenames such as "Shankar" and "Bhola" which led to accusations that the series misrepresented historical facts and shielded the actual religious affiliations of the terrorists.
As the controversy escalated Netflix India’s content head Monika Shergill was summoned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Following the meeting, Shergill announced that Netflix had updated the series’ opening disclaimer.
“For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers.”
Shergill also explained that the codenames used in the series reflected those that were used during the actual hijacking incident.
She emphasized “The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. India has a rich culture of storytelling — and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation."
The series has sparked major debates across social media and other platforms with some critics accusing the show of altering the names to allegedly mask the identities of the terrorists.
But the decision to use these codenames was reportedly based on the actual aliases employed by the hijackers during the incident. Netflix updated the disclaimer of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack to include both the real and code names of the hijackers to provide clarity and enhance the authenticity of the portrayal.
By updating the disclaimer Netflix has aimed to provide audiences with more context and transparency while maintaining the creative integrity of the show.
You can watch IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack on Netflix if you have a subscription.
