On Christmas Eve in 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked by five men from the jihadist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The plane, carrying 179 passengers and 11 crew members, was en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The hijackers took the aircraft to Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai before finally landing in Kandahar. After negotiations between the Indian government and the hijackers, the hostages were eventually released on New Year’s Eve in exchange for three imprisoned men.
Anubhav Sinha’s new Netflix series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has garnered attention for its stellar cast and gripping storyline. Based on the book “Flight into Fear,” written by Captain Devi Sharan and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury, the series offers a dramatic portrayal of the harrowing events that unfolded during the hijacking.
The ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, with Vijay Verma standing out as Captain Sharan Dev. Despite the challenges of balancing multiple lead characters, Sinha effectively gives each actor their moment to shine. However, some characters, like Dia Mirza’s Shalini Chandra and Manoj Pahwa’s Mukul Mohan, could have been explored more deeply.
The series has faced criticism for inaccuracies and controversies surrounding its depiction of the ISI’s involvement and al-Qaeda’s role in the hijacking. Former intelligence officers have raised concerns about the portrayal of these organizations, leading to debates about historical accuracy versus creative license.
One of the main criticisms of the series is the inconsistent portrayal of the hijackers as non-villains. While some scenes show their brutal actions, others humanize them in a way that dilutes their menacing presence. The decision to use code names instead of the hijackers’ real identities also drew backlash, prompting Netflix to add disclaimers to clarify the characters’ true names.
Despite these challenges, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack offers a compelling viewing experience that sheds light on a pivotal moment in Indian history. As viewers grapple with the balance between fact and fiction, the series serves as a reminder of the complexities of storytelling when it comes to real-life events.
