Mumbai: The recently launched crime thriller mini-series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has ignited a tempest of controversy online due to its contentious narrative and alleged manipulation of historical facts. Crafted by acclaimed director Anubhav Sinha, this series revisits the harrowing events of December 1999 when Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked on its way from Kathmandu, Nepal to Delhi, India, culminating in a high-stakes siege in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
The plot revolves around the deadly actions of six terrorists—identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir—all members of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist outfit. Their demand was simple yet grave: release three Pakistani terrorists incarcerated in Indian prisons, namely Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Maulana Masood Azhar, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.
Despite its effort to dramatize these nerve-wracking seven days, the mini-series has come under fire, primarily on social media, for what critics describe as blatant historical inaccuracies and attempts to sanitize the Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI. The controversy centers on the portrayal of the terrorists, with many contending that the series not only humanizes them but also changes significant aspects of their identities, including their religious affiliations.
One irate viewer took to social media platform X, writing, “The original names of the Kandahar flight hijackers were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar, Sunny Ahmed, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir. How is it that the series ‘IC 814′ depicts them as Bhola and Shankar? This is cinematic whitewashing at its worst.” Another user echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The hijackers of IC 814 were ruthless and cruel. The Netflix series’ attempt to show them as anything less is a grave disservice to the victims.”
Another person was shocked by the apparent deviation from fact and wrote, “I noticed the name change too and was utterly baffled. It’s irresponsible of @NetflixIndia to allow such historical inaccuracies.”
In its defense, supporters of the series highlight a report from the Ministry of External Affairs, issued in January 2000, noting that during the hijacking, the terrorists addressed each other with code names like Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar. Neelesh Misra, journalist, writer, and lyricist, also pointed out these names while promoting his book “173 Hours in Captivity: The Hijacking of IC 814.
.” On his X account, Misra wrote, “Shankar, Bhola, Burger, Doctor, and the Chief—these are the code names the hijackers used among themselves and how the passengers referred to them. Regards, the author of the first book on the IC-814 hijacking.”
Even so, critics argue that these code names should not excuse the whitewashing of historical events, especially when these changes have the potential to alter public perception. The real names of the terrorists have always been thoroughly documented, providing a stark contrast to the series’ representation.
The tension-filled ordeal of Indian Airlines Flight 814 commenced on December 24, 1999. The Airbus A300 was making a scheduled trip from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi when five masked gunmen stormed and seized control just after takeoff. The hijackers diverted the plane, making stops in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai, before finalizing their destination in Kandahar, Afghanistan, then under Taliban control.
For seven agonizing days, 176 passengers and crew members lived under the constant threat of death while negotiations continued between the Indian government and the hijackers. As efforts to secure their release through force seemed impossible, given the geopolitical constraints and the location’s uncompromising environment, India’s government made the difficult decision to comply with the hijackers’ demand.
The resolution of this high-stakes drama came on December 31, 1999, with the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Maulana Masood Azhar, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. Subsequently, the hostages were freed, and the flight crew managed to return home safely; however, the event left an indelible mark on the collective memory of India and the world.
Despite the show’s creators’ apparent intention to provide an engaging narrative, the criticism surrounding “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required in retelling historical events. Authenticity and sensitivity towards the facts should never be overshadowed by the desire for dramatic effect. The significant backlash from audiences underscores the need for creators to tread carefully, ensuring historical accuracy and respect for those affected by real-life tragedies.