IC814 The Kandahar Hijack Controversy: Netflix India announced on Tuesday that it has revised the opening disclaimer of its latest series 'IC814: The Kandahar Hijack', in response to the ongoing controversy regarding the portrayal of the hijackers' code names.
Netflix updates opening disclaimer of IC814 The Kandahar Hijack
Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, addressed the issue, in a statement. “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,” the statement read.
Hijackers' code names in the series were used during the actual incident
Shergill explained that the code names featured in the series are based on those used during the actual incident. She further said Netflix's commitment to faithfully representing India's rich storytelling heritage, adding, "India has a rich culture of storytelling — and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation."
Netflix content head met Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju
The statement came after Monika Shergill met with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi, following concerns raised over the portrayal of hijackers in the series. The meeting was prompted by criticism surrounding the use of Hindu code names for the hijackers and the alleged sympathetic depiction of some characters.
About IC814 The Kandahar Hijack controversy
Directed by Anubhav Sinha and featuring a star-studded cast including Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, and Dia Mirza, the series recounts the harrowing true story of the December 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. The show draws inspiration from real events and is partially based on the book 'Flight Into Fear', authored by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.
Despite its gripping narrative, the series has sparked significant controversy on social media, with accusations that the filmmakers altered the hijackers' names to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' in an effort to shield the identities of terrorists from a particular community. This led to hashtags like #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood, and #IC814 trending across platforms.
Also read: IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack: When A Survivor Described The Hijackers Bhola And Shankar
However, many survivors of the hijacking and journalists have defended the series, pointing out that the code names used in the show were, in fact, employed by the hijackers during the real-life incident. These aliases have been part of the public record, including an official statement issued by the Union Home Ministry on January 6, 2000. According to the document, hijackers were known as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar to the passengers and they addressed one another by these names.