Netflix Content Chief Summoned Amid Controversy Over ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ Series
Netflix India’s content head, Monika Shergill, was summoned by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry following a heated controversy surrounding the web series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.’ Government sources emphasized that the matter is being taken very seriously, stating that “nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of people of this country.”
The controversy centers around the portrayal of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 by Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava, and inspired by the book ‘Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story,’ has faced backlash for allegedly misrepresenting key details of the event.
The crux of the criticism revolves around the names of the hijackers in the series. Social media users and political figures have accused the creators of deliberately altering the names of the terrorists to “Bhola” and “Shankar,” which are traditionally Hindu names. This, critics argue, distorts the historical record and misleads viewers about the religious identities of the hijackers.
BJP leader Amit Malviya was among those who voiced strong objections, claiming that the filmmakers’ decision to use non-Muslim names for the hijackers could lead to future generations believing that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking. Malviya accused the creators of furthering a “Leftist agenda” by whitewashing the crimes of Pakistani terrorists.
The web series, which stars notable actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Pankaj Kapur, depicts the dramatic hijacking of Flight 814 on December 24, 1999. The plane, carrying 191 passengers, was en route from Kathmandu to Delhi when five hijackers seized control. The aircraft made multiple landings in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai before being flown to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The incident ended when the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was forced to release three notorious terrorists—Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar—in exchange for the hostages.
Historical records, including a statement from the Union Home Ministry dated January 6, 2000, identify the hijackers as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. However, the series’ use of the names “Bhola” and “Shankar,” which were reportedly used by the hijackers among themselves during the operation, has sparked a debate about the ethical responsibilities of filmmakers in portraying real-life events.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the government’s response indicates a firm stance on protecting the cultural and historical integrity of such significant events. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s summoning of Netflix’s content chief underscores the seriousness with which this issue is being treated, as the nation grapples with the implications of artistic representation on public perception.
This incident serves as a reminder of the powerful impact of media on shaping collective memory, and the need for creators to tread carefully when handling sensitive historical subjects.