What is Netflix's IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack about? Everything you need to know about 

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a new crime thriller series that shows the intense drama of the infamous 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. Set to release on Netflix on August 29, 2024, the series is crafted under the direction of Anubhav Sinha, renowned for his ability to feature real-life events with cinematic storytelling.

Written by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava and brought to life by producers Sarita Patil and Sanjay Routray of Matchbox Shots and Benaras Mediaworks, the show promises a deep and engaging look into a week-long crisis that shocked nations.

With its global premiere on Netflix, viewers from around the world can tune in to unravel the layers of negotiations, personal struggles, and political maneuvers that defined one of the most nerve-wracking hijackings in aviation history.

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When is IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack releasing on Netflix?

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack can be streamed on Netflix from August 29, 2024. There are 6 episodes that range from 28-53 minutes. It can be streamed on the platform with a subscription.

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Cast and characters they play

The cast of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a lineup of seasoned actors who bring to life the harrowing story of the hijacking ordeal. Leading the team is Naseeruddin Shah, a veteran actor in Indian cinema, who plays a key government official navigating the precarious paths of diplomacy and crisis management. Alongside him is Pankaj Kapur, who will be portraying another senior official whose decisions are crucial to the plot.

Vijay Varma takes on the role of Captain Sharan Dev, the pilot of IC 814, whose calm demeanor and quick thinking are crucial throughout the crisis. Varma’s performance is anticipated to have the intense pressure and moral dilemmas the pilot faces during the hijack. Joining him in the cockpit is co-pilot Sunil Sachdeva, played by Karan Desai, whose interactions with Varma are crucial in depicting the cockpit’s tense atmosphere.

The series also features strong performances from female leads. Dia Mirza plays a determined journalist who follows the unfolding events closely and provides viewers with a window into the media’s role during crises. Her character is instrumental in shaping the public’s perception of the hijack. Amrita Puri and Patralekha Paul portray air hostesses Indrani and Chhaya, respectively, whose courage and resilience are central to the story.

Supporting roles are filled by Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra, who play government officials tasked with managing the crisis behind the scenes and showing the government’s bureaucratic challenges and internal conflicts. Arvind Swamy, another veteran, will also be on the series’ gravitas as a diplomat caught in the crossfire of international politics and urgent negotiations.

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What is IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack about?

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack on Netflix revisits the events of December 1999 when Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked by militants and spanned over seven days of high tension and fear, starting with the flight’s departure from Kathmandu to its unexpected and dramatic stops across several countries including India, Pakistan, the UAE and finally Afghanistan. The series is about the events on the aircraft and the chaotic negotiations and diplomatic efforts behind the scenes.

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series features multiple perspectives, from the terrified passengers and determined crew aboard the plane to the strategizing officials in India’s war rooms.

The plot explores how the crisis was handled and shows both human bravery and bureaucratic missteps. It’s adapted from the book Flight Into Fear by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, which provides a firsthand account of the hijacking.

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Viewers can watch all the 6 episodes of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack on Netflix.