The recent release of the web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack on Netflix, starring prominent actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Vijay Varma, and Dia Mirza, has sparked a controversy due to the portrayal of the hijackers’ names. The series, which revolves around the real-life hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in 1999, has drawn criticism for naming the hijackers as ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar,’ which are traditionally Hindu names. This has led to widespread backlash on social media, with many questioning the intent behind these name choices.
The Writer’s Response to the Controversy
The controversy gained momentum when social media users began questioning the appropriateness of naming the hijackers after Hindu deities. In response, Neelesh Misra, the author of the book on which the series is based, took to Twitter to clarify the situation. Addressing the criticism, Misra explained that the names used in the series were actually code names that the terrorists had given themselves during the hijacking. He stated, “Shankar, Bhola, Burger, Doctor, and Chief were code names used by the hijackers, including the brother of Masood Azhar, who was in jail at the time. These were the names they used to communicate with each other and how the passengers referred to them during the hijacking.”
Misra further emphasized that the use of these names was rooted in historical fact, and that the series had accurately portrayed the code names used during the hijacking. He expressed his concern over the allegations that the series had not revealed the real names of the hijackers. According to reports, the actual hijackers were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Syed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir. Misra clarified that his book contains the real names, photographs, cities, and code names of the terrorists, and stressed that the series was not directly based on his book.
Misra Distances Himself from the Series
In another tweet, Misra distanced himself from the web series, stating that he was neither involved in its creation nor had he watched it. He expressed surprise at the decision not to mention the real names of the terrorists in the series, saying, “If the real names of the Pakistani terrorists are not mentioned in the series, then this is something that I cannot even imagine. I can only tell the fact that yes, Pakistani terrorists had Hindu code names during the hijacking.”
The Director’s Debut in the OTT Space
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack marks the debut of filmmaker Anubhav Sinha in the OTT space. Sinha, known for his socially relevant films, has ventured into the world of web series with this project. In addition to the main cast, the series also features Patralekha, Pooja Gor, and Kumud Mishra in pivotal roles. Despite the controversy, the series has garnered attention for its gripping portrayal of one of the most significant events in Indian aviation history.
The series was released on Netflix on August 29, 2024, and continues to be a topic of discussion due to the ongoing debate over the portrayal of the hijackers. The controversy highlights the delicate balance between creative representation and historical accuracy, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects like terrorism and national security.
