The release of “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” on Netflix has sparked a wave of reactions across social media platforms, with the series trending on X (formerly known as Twitter). Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the show revisits the traumatic events of the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi, which left passengers in the custody of hijackers for an entire week, leading to the tragic death of one person on board.
Despite the controversy surrounding the series, Sinha remains unfazed and continues to celebrate its success. The director recently expressed his gratitude for the positive reception, saying, “इतना प्यार मिला पिछले तीन दिनों में कि बयान नहीं कर सकता। ऋणी। (I have received so much love in the last three days that I cannot describe it. I am indebted).” He shared his joy with fans online, including photos of himself enjoying jalebis in celebration of the show’s release.
The series, which features a star-studded cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy, has been praised by some viewers for its gripping portrayal of the hijacking. However, it has also faced criticism and boycott calls for allegedly “whitewashing” the real-life events. Many netizens have taken issue with the decision to change the names of the hijackers, claiming it undermines the authenticity of the story.
In response to these criticisms, Neelesh Misra, the author of the book on which the series is based, clarified the reasoning behind the name changes. He posted on X, stating, “All the hijackers assumed false names. That is how they referred to each other and how the passengers referred to them throughout the hijacking.” Sinha reposted Misra’s explanation to support the show’s narrative choices.
As “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” continues to receive both acclaim and backlash, the director and cast have chosen to focus on the positive feedback from viewers who have praised the show’s storytelling and performances. While the debate around the series persists, it is clear that “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has struck a chord with audiences, reigniting discussions about one of the most harrowing events in recent Indian history.
