On December 31, 1999, as the world eagerly anticipated the arrival of the new millennium, Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh embarked on a perilous mission to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Accompanying him were three dangerous terrorists, released just hours earlier from Indian prisons. This exchange was intended to secure the safe release of 176 passengers and crew members aboard the Indian Airlines flight IC 814, which had been hijacked eight days earlier departing from Kathmandu.
The details leading up to the hijacking, and the subsequent surrender to terrorist demands by the Indian government, have been fodder for intense discussion and debate in both academic circles and popular culture. This complex narrative has often resembled the parable of the blind men and the elephant, where different perspectives reveal only parts of the whole. Writer-director Anubhav Sinha revisits this critical period in history with his socio-political lens and modern technological tools to peel away the multiple layers behind the longest hijack in Indian aviation history. His goal? To find some answers and, perhaps, some solace.
Presented as a fictional work based on real-life events, this action-packed series strikes a delicate balance, avoiding the trap of becoming tedious. Based on Captain Devi Sharan’s account of the hijack, “Flight Into Fear,” the series not only captures the brave pilot’s perspective but also broadens to encompass the larger geopolitical picture. From the delayed response during a stop in Amritsar to the stealthy threat of RDX on board, Sinha succeeds in weaving a compelling narrative that highlights the complex geopolitics of the post-Pokhran and post-Kargil War era.
The series presents multiple viewpoints without overwhelming the audience with a singular narrative lens. For Indian authorities, 200 lives and the nation’s reputation as a soft state were at stake. Meanwhile, for Masood Azhar, a top terrorist who was part of the exchange deal, the entire regions of Afghanistan and Palestine seemed under capture. For the terrified hostages, the new millennium couldn’t arrive soon enough as they longed to reunite with their families. Sinha’s narrative respects these diverse perspectives while calling out hypocrisy and bigotry, using a syntax that amuses even as it pricks at the conscience.
Sinha’s talent for blending realism and drama shines inside the backrooms of bureaucratic operations, similar to his exemplary work in Article 15 and Anek. Supported by a stellar ensemble cast, he paints a nuanced portrayal of how Indian democracy functioned during the coalition era. The clipped conversations, pragmatic nationalism, internal dilemmas, and diplomatic maneuvers among security agencies play out with a ring of authenticity. The fine distinctions between how various arms of the government within the Crisis Management Group respond, depending on their roles and backgrounds, are delineated without dissonance.
Among the tumult of war-room action, Sinha underscores the difference between job and duty, suggesting that simply passing the buck during a crisis is ineffective. The series subtly hints that, just as Afghanistan had multiple players, India also struggled with various voices converging for a common cause. While it is easy to critique Pakistan’s betrayals, the geopolitics are far more intricate. Sometimes, personal interests outweigh political sagacity in the bigger game of international diplomacy.
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There’s plenty to unpack and even more to chuckle about in the series’ subtext. Casual debates over coffee and tea carry larger meanings, becoming metaphors for duty and responsibility. When Captain Sharan cleans the toilet lines, it symbolizes the call of duty in the direst of situations. Meanwhile, condescending officials in Taliban territory struggle with Indian-style toilets, blending humor with a sting of reality.
Even when exploring procedural elements, Sinha doesn’t abandon the human drama or his signature sardonic humor. Remarkably, the series avoids making the tragic situation overtly sentimental. The VFX team stands out, integrating archival footage with computer-generated imagery to create an immersive experience that transports viewers back to the turn of the millennium. Ewan Mulligan and Ravi Kiran Ayyagari’s sure-footed camerawork adds to the gripping narrative, keeping audiences engrossed.
In this taut series, Vijay Varma is the perfect choice to portray the steadfast Captain Sharan Dev. With limited physical space to perform, Vijay masterfully conveys the range of emotions experienced during the hijack through his expressive face. His character embodies heroism without boasting, becoming the heartbeat of the series.
If Vijay Varma is the heart, Anubhav Sinha has carefully curated a group of powerful performers to serve as the mind of the series. Pankaj Kapoor shines as Foreign Minister Vijaybhan Singh, maneuvering through diplomatic intricacies. Manoj Pahwa’s portrayal of a seasoned intelligence official brings humor even amidst tension, creating moments of levity without undermining the gravity of the situation. Together with other seasoned actors like Arvind Swamy, Kumud Mishra, Naseeruddin Shah, and more, they deliver a slew of memorable moments. Notably, female actors Patralekhaa and Additi Gupta also leave significant impacts.
Despite its thoroughness, the series leaves certain elements underexplored. Real-life counterparts like the then Home Minister and other key figures in the Crisis Management Group are conspicuously absent, leaving the narrative focused primarily around the Foreign Minister. While the series claims that names have been fictionalized, it maintains striking resemblances to real-life terrorists and their handlers, adding a layer of authenticity.
However, the series isn’t without its weak links. Comedian Rajeev Thakur, cast against type as the chief hijacker, fails to generate the required dread, coming off as a maniacal misfit rather than a menacing threat. The brief discussion on the contrast between print media and frenzied electronic media feels cursory in an otherwise well-measured series.
“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is currently streaming on Netflix, offering an intricate portrayal of one of India’s most gripping aviation crises, blending action, emotion, and political drama into a compelling narrative.
