The release of the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has sparked a storm in the Indian society with many claiming it is historically incorrect and may be offensive in terms of religion. This series which has been dramatized, revolves around the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 by a terrorist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen based in Pakistan in 1999. However, controversy arose concerning how the hijackers were characterized, this centered on who the hijackers were.
According to Indian Express report, Surjit Singh Yadav, president of the Hindu Sena, filed a Public interest litigation (PIL) in Delhi high court requesting a stay order on the series. The petition further supported that the show incorrectly represented the actual hijackers who were dubbed with more christened Hindu names as Bhola, Shankar which are actual names of the Hindu God Shiva. This, the petitioner alleges is nothing short of an evil scheme aimed at misrepresentation of history and contempt for the Hindu people.
The PIL argues that such distortion does not only lead to distortion of historical facts but also causes a wide range of negative images and false notions. The petitioner has appealed to the court for help in this matter seeking to curb any further misunderstandings by the public as well as any consequent destruction.
The central government has called for the content head of Netflix India to justify the series in light of the rising outcry. Information and Broadcasting, in particular, sought an explanation from officials in relation to the content which it finds problematic – the series particularly focuses on the depiction of the hijackers. They have shown fears that the series could toy with the emotions of the country.
The series directed by Anubhav Sinha was made available for streaming on Netflix India on August 29, 2020. While the events that led to the controversies were highly dramatized, the actor’s performances have been well received and the production garnered positive reviews. The specificity of the charge of misrepresentation of facts in the history also and causing religious pain can be fairly raised regarding the series.
Anubhav Sinha’s feature film directorial debut oz, which was released on August 29, is a documentary-style theatrical film influenced by John CNoonan and Reid Long. The series is based on the book ‘Flight Into Fear’ authored by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury features the core of the negotiation activity as well combining the hidden corridors of Delhi’s War Room and the’s Negotiation Station in Kandahar.
